Mike's Oud Forums

Ordering a new Oud

joklany - 5-9-2010 at 03:10 AM

Hi All

I hope this message finds you well.

After a bit more than year since I started learning to play, I know now that my passion for oud is going to be for life! So, I am thinking of upgrading my cheap learner's oud to a good quality one.

Browsing through the forum, I frequently saw the advice to people buying a new oud that they should experiment with different ones until they find one they like most.

Here is my dilema!
I am left handed and would like to order a left handed oud from an oudmaker. The oud maker will most likely have to make it for me. Therefore, I will not be in a positon to test the sound of the oud.

So how can I tell the maker that I would like one that has typical arabic warm sound? Do I need to specify the type of wood and /or other parameters or leave it to him?

Best regards
Jaafar



Luttgutt - 5-9-2010 at 04:01 AM

Hi!

Well you don't really have to play a full song on a oud to test its sound.
You can play one string at a time.
Lots of "popular" old arabic songs can be played on one string (Dizzani, for example).

So you can pick ANY oud and try all the strings.

And then you can decide what luthier you like!

Good luck

Sazi - 5-9-2010 at 03:14 PM

Quote: Originally posted by joklany  

Here is my dilema!
I am left handed and would like to order a left handed oud from an oudmaker. The oud maker will most likely have to make it for me. Therefore, I will not be in a positon to test the sound of the oud.


Hi Jaafar, the only major difference between a right or left handed oud is the pegbox, inside, the bracing etc is exactly the same, ...(see the next two posts below) ...so you could try a R/H oud and just get the maker to change the head if you like it.

spyros mesogeia - 5-9-2010 at 06:45 PM

Well my friend Sazi,I do not really agree with you....there are more diferences,about the thickness and the supporting sistem beyond the pegbox too...
My friend just try as many ouds you can.I am sure that you will find what you like.

Sazi - 5-9-2010 at 07:35 PM

Hi Spiros, yes, maybe I should have said "generally" as many makers don't vary the soundboard thickness between bass and treble sides, it being even all over, just maybe thinned at the edges, and mostly the bracing is symmetrical. I guess the thing to do would be to ask the particular maker. Obviously the nut will need to be changed too.

spyros mesogeia - 5-9-2010 at 07:38 PM

yes my friend,nut and the holes on the bridge also
Regards from MD:wavey:

Sazi - 5-9-2010 at 07:42 PM

Quote: Originally posted by spyros mesogeia  
yes my friend,nut and the holes on the bridge also
Regards from MD:wavey:


Why so? Maybe that depends on the maker too? On all the fixed bridge ouds I've had the holes are all the same, I recall you have ouds from very good makers who are more likely to vary these things to make the "perfect"oud...

spyros mesogeia - 5-9-2010 at 08:20 PM

Well,to tell you the truth,I have very good ouds indeed,and I also have and a very old Manol oud among them,
I love my ouds and all of them are custom made ones....
Best Regards
Spyros

joklany - 5-9-2010 at 09:40 PM

Thank you for the tips.

I just flipped the strings on my learner oud from right to left. Although it is ok, but I could never get rid of the buzzing sound on the treble C string and that string is very "mute".

The only problem with trying is that I am in Dubai and I am considering ordering one from Turkey or Syria! So I have no chance of trying.

So, a related question would be, does each individual maker have a distinct sound for their ouds or the sounds could vary significantly among the different ouds each one makes?

Thanks again
Jaafar


Sazi - 5-9-2010 at 09:52 PM

Quote: Originally posted by joklany  

So, a related question would be, does each individual maker have a distinct sound for their ouds or the sounds could vary significantly among the different ouds each one makes?


That's two questions;) The answer could be yes/maybe for both, some makers can make an oud to sound like whatever they wish, some have a unique "signature" sound, I read somewhere here that Faruk's ouds always sound similar, and like no-one elses, but I have no personal experience with them.

spyros mesogeia - 5-10-2010 at 05:55 AM

Dear friend,
the sound can be affected by many things,soundboard type,thickness of it,type[cedar-spruce]bracing sistem,and that is almost 80%,the bowl is the reflection of the sound it is almost 20%.So the combination of all these things[and the string length and tentions],can affect the sound.Ofcourse each flower has his own parfume,and each maker has his own sound.Some Luthiers have their own typical sound.
You have to see and choose what you want,Personally I prefer the sound to be exactly as I Personally want,and the creftmanship to be as I want also,that is why I always have custom made instruments.
Best Regards
Spyros

joklany - 5-10-2010 at 08:49 PM

So I think I have two options. Option one, select a right handed oud that I like, change the nut and remove the first peg as I did with my existing one (looks ugly!), and flip the strings. Option two, order custom made left-handed one without trying and trust the oud maker.

Which option would you recommend?

Regards
Jaafar




Sazi - 5-10-2010 at 10:12 PM

Option 2, and if you select a good maker, there's plenty of info here in the forum, you should end up happy. :)

spyros mesogeia - 5-11-2010 at 05:05 AM

I am sure that the left hand oud is the best my friend,option 2

joklany - 5-12-2010 at 09:46 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Luttgutt  
Hi!

Lots of "popular" old arabic songs can be played on one string (Dizzani, for example).



Hi Luttgutt
Do you have the sheet music for any of these one string songs? I would really appreciate it if you could share with me.

Many Thanks.
Jaafar