Oudmokum
Oud Lover
Posts: 12
Registered: 9-8-2015
Member Is Offline
|
|
Neck bends backward
Hello musicians
As I said about a problem with the nut, I bought recently a oud which is obviously
a Syrian oud.
I know very few about the oud and don't know what to think about the quality.
It's obvious the maker saved on the wood quality of small pieces like the nut.
Now I'm waiting for a bone nut from Yaron Naor.
Another problem is a too low action because the neck bends backward.
Normally, the action is 2mm. If I set the strings a bit higher on the bridge, I can obtain 2.8 mm between neck and string |<- 2.8 ->O
But I still get a "near buzzing" sound on some strings. (It's very subtle but it remembers me of the Sitar)
Well, the strings may be too new to judge.
THE Question: since the sound holes are covered with a rosette and that the 'bracelet' seems to be definitively glued to neck and body, how much
chance I have to find some screw in the bloc?
The fact that the neck bends backward could be an indication.
Thank in advance.
[file]36804[/file]
|
|
|
Dr. Oud
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1370
Registered: 12-18-2002
Location: Sacramento, CA, USA
Member Is Offline
Mood: better than before
|
|
There is normally no screw in the neck. The neck should be slightly backward (1-2mm) relative to the plane of the face to achieve a low action.
Adjusting the string knot higher on the bridge is ok to raise the strings. In time the body will warp, causing the string height to increase. The
angle of the neck is a way to prolong the adjustment to keep the action low.
If the strings buzz while open, the top nut may be too low, it should be at least 1mm above the fingerboard. If the buzzing occurs while fingering,
there may be some grooves worn in the fingerboard under the wound strings that can cause buzzing. The fingerboard can be sanded down, but be sure to
use a flat sanding block, longer than the neck to keep it flat. There could also be a problem with the strings, low tension or defective string
winding, it happens.
|
|
|
Oudmokum
Oud Lover
Posts: 12
Registered: 9-8-2015
Member Is Offline
|
|
Thank you Richard.
This some important information.
However some members here speak about screw system and the former owner told me something about a screw inside to modify the neck and action. Only I
find it difficult to believe because of the rosette. I don't like the idea of removing the rosette.
On this oud the action is too low (less than 2mm) I will have to find a solution.
|
|
|
Dr. Oud
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1370
Registered: 12-18-2002
Location: Sacramento, CA, USA
Member Is Offline
Mood: better than before
|
|
The simplest solution is to add another fingerboard on top of the current one. This one can be tapered to provide the higher action.
|
|
|
Brian Prunka
Oud Junkie
Posts: 2916
Registered: 1-30-2004
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Stringish
|
|
I'm confused by that proposal, Richard—in my experience adding a fingerboard lowers the action, it doesn't raise it (because the
bridge is in the same position).
|
|
|
jdowning
Oud Junkie
Posts: 3485
Registered: 8-2-2006
Location: Ontario, Canada
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
|
|
A screwed neck assembly system is found on some modern oud designs (Syrian 'Sukar' ouds for example). The screwed assembly might also provide some
facility for adjusting neck angle relative to the plane of the sound board and hence string action. This type of oud has an open sound hole for access
to the interior screw mechanism
Unlikely to be found on a 'no name' oud with a rosette, however?
|
|
|
Oudmokum
Oud Lover
Posts: 12
Registered: 9-8-2015
Member Is Offline
|
|
Indeed, and on that point I'm more and more convinced to let the rosettes alone. I think it's a good idea to ask a violin maker to put a tapered
fingerboard. You know: higher by the nut and finishing by no thickness at all.
Thank you all for you advice. Your experience is very precious to me.
|
|
|
SamirCanada
Moderator
Posts: 3404
Registered: 6-4-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
Posy a full pic of your oud.
That steing height (action) looks perfect
@samiroud Instagram
samiroudmaker@gmail.com
|
|
|
Oudmokum
Oud Lover
Posts: 12
Registered: 9-8-2015
Member Is Offline
|
|
Hello Samir
I don't understand exactly what you mean, but anyway the picture with my 1st post is not my oud. I took another on the web because I did not succeed
with mine.
|
|
|
Oudmokum
Oud Lover
Posts: 12
Registered: 9-8-2015
Member Is Offline
|
|
Just for the record: an answer as feedback.
The D strings keeping buzzing like a sitar, I decided to change the nut. Indeed, I noticed that the 2 strings being already quite close, they come
more closer when you put a finger on it and thus buzz again each other. That's #1.
Wondering of the rosettes could vibrate and checking them with a finger, they 'spontaneously'( jumped inside the oud. So I could see the little butterfly nut inside and decided to loose it a bit. I had to force the neck to let it
come back, which it did with a loud crack (varnish cracking by the 'bracelet'). Now I have 3.5 mm action (and quite a fast heart beat).
I thank you all for the help.
|
|
|
![[*]](images/xmbprobrown/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
