Jameel - 5-18-2005 at 07:27 PM
Dear Friends and fellow oudists,
I'm proud to introduce for the first time an ALL-NEW, HAND-MADE PROFESSIONAL-QUALITY RISHA / MIZRAP for the oud,
buzuq, and other eastern instruments. It's ready to use out of the package and yet fully customizable.
Real sea turtle shell has long been the professional’s material of choice for plucked instruments, both in the east and the west. Since sea turtles
were placed on the endagered speceis list, real turtle shell picks and plectrums have been coveted by those who seek them, and treasured by those who
already own them.
After consulting with professional musicians I decided that this material would be ideal for oud and other eastern instruments. It is already
enormously popular with western musicians who use typical flat picks.
New Tortis Picks and Plectrums are Handmade from a polymerized animal protein that is very close molecularly to real tortoise shell. It can be
considered cultured tortoise shell since it is actually "grown" over a long period of time. It takes upwards of one year to create enough New Tortis
to make our picks. The result is a durable material that produces a warm sound and feel that is virtually identical to real tortoise shell. There is
also no "slick" character that many petroleum-based plastic picks exhibit-- New Tortis Picks and Plectrums have a wonderful natural feel, and will not
slip from your grip. Most people who try these picks cannot tell them apart from the real thing.
Finally a high quality pick for oud, buzuq and other eastern instruments is readily available.
For More Info: http://www.msocp.com/newtortis.htm
Jameel Abraham, New Tortis Picks & Plectrums
Jameel - 5-18-2005 at 07:59 PM
I should add that these picks ARE NOT made from the same material as the picks I was producing about a year ago.
Those were just epoxy. These are the real deal. Natural material, warm, just a fantastic risha material.
Sidi - 5-19-2005 at 01:23 PM
Great job Jameel, I love the package...very authentic style.
Gabriel - 5-20-2005 at 09:33 PM
do you make rishas jameel or do you sell them?
i am in australia, do they ship here?
wich is better horn or tortishell(animal protien)
could you tell me the full dimensions?
Regards
Jameel - 5-21-2005 at 04:17 AM
Gabriel,
I make all the rishas myself, by hand.
I can ship to Austrailia. The shipping charge will be a bit more.
They are 12mm x 12cm.
Personally, I like these much better than horn. They have a warmer sound, and do not separate like horn. They are really excellent. That's why I
decided to produce them.
Gabriel - 5-21-2005 at 08:20 PM
thanks jameel
Well i will certanly consider buying one,
when is the next project coming on the internet
revaldo29 - 5-31-2005 at 05:01 PM
Hey Jameel,
I received my risha today. It sounds and feels amazing. Very soft material yet very warm sounding. The dimensions are great too. The
width is perfect for me. Its about time somone started making a quality risha. Well done my friend.
Adnan
LeeVaris - 5-31-2005 at 08:17 PM
I got mine today as well... very nice indeed! I love it! 
Jonathan - 5-31-2005 at 08:44 PM
Super, Jameel. Maşallah!
Sasha - 6-7-2005 at 11:14 PM
I received my mizrap from Jameel last week, and I'm overjoyed with it - flexible, responsive, and it brings out the very best sound of my 'ud.
Love it, love it, love it!
It is a bit stiffer than the mizrap I have been using, but it has certainly forced me to clean up a small amount of sloppy technique!
Sasha
Jonathan - 6-8-2005 at 03:33 AM
The thing I love about Jameel's mizraps is that they bring out subtleties in your playing. They are a bit softer than a lot of mizraps, but they have
that "snap" to them. Hard to explain, but they are soft without being mushy. They snap back after the note is played. And I think the note really
takes on a warmer, more rounded tone.
Jameel - 6-8-2005 at 03:40 AM
I'm glad you all like the rishi. It's the only rishi I use now too. I love them.
I've added a couple videos to the website. Of particular interest is one on how to thin the end of the rishi.