Chaz
Oud Admirer
Posts: 9
Registered: 7-25-2021
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Ouds in Cairo or Luxor
We're visiting Egypt soon. I'll have several days on the ground in both Cairo and Luxor.
I want to visit a quality, non-tourist luthier with an eye towards seeing builds in progress, Q&A, and perhaps a purchase of a good quality
student Oud, accessories, and a quantity of instrument-grade camel bone for general lutherie in my home shop.
I want to avoid "tourist" Oud shops. I want to visit a quality shop with quality instruments.
What I'm hoping for, is a few names, locations and advice. I read somewhere that good Oud luthiers could be found along Mohammed Ali Street in Cairo.
I have a reliable contact there that says that is no longer the case, but doesn't have alternatives, yet.
I'll be working with a trusted tour agency and they will take me where I want to go with a driver and guide/translator.
If anyone can help with this quest, I'd really appreciate it!
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Brian Prunka
Oud Junkie
Posts: 2916
Registered: 1-30-2004
Location: Brooklyn, NY
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Mood: Stringish
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Hi Chaz!
Mahmoud Mustafa and Maurice Shehata are both well-respected luthiers in Egypt.
If you send me an email I can put you in touch with a friend in Cairo who would likely be happy to introduce you to luthiers and maybe even show you
around a bit.
https://brianprunka.com/contact
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John Erlich
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1463
Registered: 8-26-2004
Location: California, USA
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Mood: Oud-Obsessed
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Quote: Originally posted by Brian Prunka  | Hi Chaz!
Mahmoud Mustafa and Maurice Shehata are both well-respected luthiers in Egypt.
If you send me an email I can put you in touch with a friend in Cairo who would likely be happy to introduce you to luthiers and maybe even show you
around a bit.
[url]https://brianprunka.com/contact |
[/url]
I would recommend taking up Brian on his generous offer. It would be very helpful to have a local contact.
I own a Shehata oud, which is pretty good. You can check you his web site: https://www.mauriceoudshop.com/
I think there are other builders in Cairo, as well:
Tamer El-Asmar: https://www.facebook.com/%D8%A7%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%AA%D8%A7...
Mostafa Dagher: http://www.oudmakermostafa.com/
etc.
I presume Brian's contacts will know about them, and others.
Good luck!
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Chaz
Oud Admirer
Posts: 9
Registered: 7-25-2021
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Thanks guys, that's some awesome info.
It also puts thing into perspective. The luthiers mentioned might be good to visit, but from I can glean from the rsvps, so far, even a student-grade
instrument may be out of reach $$$-wise. I'd be looking for something in the 4 - 5k EGP. We'll have to see.
It would still be fun to visit a working Luthierie in Cairo. I'm a novice luthier and I'd love to see how Ouds are made.
I'd still like to get locally sourced Egyptian camel bone, too. It's highly prized for guitars saddles and nuts.
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Jason
Oud Junkie
Posts: 733
Registered: 9-17-2005
Location: Louisville, KY
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Mood: Loving my oud
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I think you'd have a hard time finding anything more than a shop made student instrument for $300 USD in Egypt nowadays. In that price range Turkish
ouds, regardless of tuning, tend to be a better buy in my opinion.
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Chaz
Oud Admirer
Posts: 9
Registered: 7-25-2021
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| Quote: Originally posted by Jason | | I think you'd have a hard time finding anything more than a shop made student instrument for $300 USD in Egypt nowadays. In that price range Turkish
ouds, regardless of tuning, tend to be a better buy in my opinion. |
Well, maybe an Oud purchase in Cairo just isn't in the cards, which is kind of a bummer. On the other hand better to manage expectations - it would
be embarrassing, at least, to go to all the trouble to visit a luthier with a mind to buy, only to not have enough money.
We'll just plan accordingly.
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