catty - 9-19-2012 at 02:46 PM
I live in Montana (USA)...not an area where ouds are to be found, usually. I haven't played since mine broke years ago 
Suddenly, there's a 5-course (what appears to be an Egyptian-style) oud available
for only $300. It's not great, but appears to be pretty solid, good action, with decent resonance
I don't really WANT a 5-course...but it's the only oud I've seen in years. I've been in the store twice to buy it...and chickened-out both times
Question: if I pass on this, is it very likely that someone here may have a functional oud for sale for 3-4 hundred bucks? If so, then I can
relax...(a bit )
Thanks!
Brian Prunka - 9-19-2012 at 07:46 PM
How many peg holes does it have? Many 5-course ouds can be (and have been) converted to 6 courses with minimal effort, as long as there is room for an
extra peg. A new nut and redrilled bridge holes are the main work involved, plus possibly fitting an extra peg.
It's unusual to find a decent oud in the $300 range.
catty - 9-20-2012 at 06:14 AM
Thanks Brian--I guess I'll go ahead and acquire this one then
It did look to have room already for another course on the bridge...I didn't look to see if all the pegs were strung, though
catty - 9-20-2012 at 11:46 AM
I got it. Not only is my anxiety relieved..but it's rather a nicer instrument than I'd assessed. It is as you'd anticipated, Brian--12 pegs (and the
un-strung bridge course)
I believe it comes from Dubai (I was told). It bears a manufacturer's label, but unfortunately I'm unable to read it
Well I'm rather excited; I've been involved in many, many other projects since breaking my oud several years ago...but actually gave up playing
flamenco guitar (after 30+ years of classical guitar)--to which I'd been thoroughly devoted for decades--last year after the practice requirements
exceeded my capacity. I'd been playing mostly fiddle and large mandolins (bouzouki, cittern) for my string fix. But these do not assuage oudness of
course 
I'm very excited to be back in the phrygian again ; )
fernandraynaud - 9-20-2012 at 11:49 PM
Hi, Catty, welcome! I imagine you know that by now, but we'll help you as much as we can. Before you re-string it "for real", there are a number of
things you might want to do. If you can measure the scale length, the action height at the neck-body junction, and post some close-up photos, we might
collectively come up with some good suggestions. You should probably order one or a couple good but inexpensive sets of strings, Daniel Maris are nice
and flexible. Later you can see if some other set suits your instrument better.
catty - 9-21-2012 at 06:06 AM
Thank you. Yes, I'm looking forward to restringing "proper"--playing without my bottom course now!--but it needs nut replacement. Where might I find
parts for sale in the US?
I wish I could recover the battery charger that my wife has "hidden" so I could post a pic or two
John Erlich - 9-21-2012 at 11:19 AM
For oud parts, you can try:
http://www.droud.com/workshop.html
http://www.khalafoud.com/
Good luck!
catty - 9-24-2012 at 10:09 AM
Anyone familiar?
[] 
Alfaraby - 9-25-2012 at 08:42 AM
The "Rosette" says "Oud Adany" (Adan is a Yemeni city) while the label states as follows:
"Safwat Badr
Musical Instruments Manufacturer
2 Lateef st. Al Yakaneya Al Qadeema
(Old Yakaneya is a quarter of Cairo, Egypt)
Tel : 25141392 Mobile : 0101806634"
Sorry ! I haven't heard of him before. No offense !
Good luck
Yours indeed
Alfaraby
catty - 9-25-2012 at 08:59 AM
No offense taken!...I'm sure it's not a high quality instrument
Thank you Alfaraby
stringmanca - 9-25-2012 at 09:22 AM
What part of Montana are you located in? I'll be up in Kalispell this weekend visiting my mother.
Nathan
catty - 9-25-2012 at 10:30 AM
Missoula. Enjoy Glacier Park!