Mike's Oud Forums

String and course distance in turkish ouds

luan - 4-25-2013 at 09:04 PM

From pics I've seen of turkish ouds, seems like each course has its strings closer, and courses have more separation one from another.
Plus the fretboard gets wider as it reaches the soundhole.
Is this right or am I wrong?
In case it's true: does anybody have the measures?

Thanks a lot!!

luan - 5-9-2013 at 07:03 PM

Anyone?

DoggerelPundit - 5-11-2013 at 07:41 AM

Good morning Luan,

Yes, in Turkish ouds the strings are generally closer, and courses often appear to have more separation one from another than is the case with traditional Arabic style ouds. This is probably because the necks of Turkish style instruments are generally narrower at the nut, causing a greater angle of string spread out to a given bridge length. In those ouds with extended fingerboards, the fingerboard would naturally be wider to accommodate this spread. The only way this would not be the case would be to have a nut as wide as the bridge. Thus Arabic ouds, especially the modern designs, will show this spread as well.

As to measurements, each case will be slightly different according to its maker. You could expect there to be as almost as many different exact measurements as there are ouds.

Nothing brilliant here, I assure you.

-Stephen

luan - 5-11-2013 at 10:41 AM

Thanks a lot Stephen!!! Really appreciated.