SamirCanada - 7-26-2007 at 10:33 PM
Due to unproper care and abusive displacements in a high humidity environement. I have a oud that has developped a problem with one of the brace. this
particular oud really vibrates when the A note is played so it rattles particularly hard when I play it. I have taped around the face and found that
the second brace down from the bottom of the sound hole is where most of the buzzing comes from. I reached in the oud and tried to feel where the
brace may be unglued with no succes. All seems sturdy but there is something wrong under the hood for sure.
How do I go about really identifying the culpcrit brace and fixing it?
Obviously taking the face off is out of the question. Because Iam not quite there that I can just change the whole face of the oud.
maybe Iam anticipating this awnser but where do I find these long clamps.
Major thanks in advance.
Lintfree - 7-27-2007 at 12:15 AM
Stewart MacDonald has those clamps and they are very helpful at that company. Luthiers' Mercantile has similar clamps. Man must be careful. Thin tops.
It's like being a surgeon. I would send it to someone like Peter Kyvelos in Boston if you're near there. Jameel does that kind of work I think. Ask
him what to do. Good luck.
SamirCanada - 7-27-2007 at 05:04 AM
Thanks much DL.
Iam concidering doing just that. But we shall see really whats to do.
If I could just also hear what Jameel and Richard have to say on this.
Dr. Oud - 8-1-2007 at 08:35 AM
First I remove the large rose with a little warm water around the edge, and prying carefully with a warm thin pallette knife. I identify loose braces
by feeling around inside while gently pushing the face in the area that buzzes. I can usually tell a difference in how the brace flexes. Sometime you
can hear the end of the brace scraping the side of the bowel as you push on the face - and I mean very carefully so not to do more damage. Another way
is with an inspection mirror. You can find these in auto parts or hardware stores, or glue a small mirror on a stick. Again very carefully pushing the
face at the buzz point you might see the brace move away from the soundboard surface.
Once you have identified the failured glue joint or split brace, apply a little warm water with a small brush to soften the old glue, then apply
more fresh glue with the pallette knife to get it into the seam. wipe off the excess and clamp. Long clamps can be made rather easily - if you look
for cam clamps you'll get the idea, just make one with a deep throat. The deep throat iron clamps may be too heavy and can damage the brace by the
time you get enough pressure to secure them. Another method is using magnets. you'll need to make a clamping caul to capture the brace, then use
magnets to draw it against the soundboard with a metal strap over the caul. See? it's a piece of cake!
SamirCanada - 8-1-2007 at 11:06 AM
hmmmm... yah right.
Iam now thinking I might just take it to someone able to confidently do this job.
Dr. Oud - 8-1-2007 at 11:20 AM
where are you located, I might know some one nearby 9from my oud bok database or another oud tech.
SamirCanada - 8-1-2007 at 11:43 AM
Ottawa: Canada
Dr. Oud - 8-1-2007 at 11:50 AM
http://www.lutherieraby.com/