Mike's Oud Forums

Floating bridge

Ronny Andersson - 12-18-2007 at 03:57 PM

I wonder how many of you owners of floating bridge ouds have been trying the violin inspired bridge on your ouds like I have?
I had Dr oud made one for my Fawzy Monshed oud and the inspiration was the model Lee Varis had on his I believe Foad Jihad oud. A bridge also made by a Richard (not Dr oud).
I was not pleased with the sound the first weeks but I noticed that the oud needed some time to get used to the new bridge and I know for sure it was not my ears. Now is the sound both very powerful and sweet with richer overtones and with a very nice sustain. Any opinions?
Here is a photo of the bridge with a bone edge!

LeeVaris - 12-18-2007 at 05:38 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ronny Andersson
Now is the sound both very powerful and sweet with richer overtones and with a very nice sustain.


Yes... Ronny, I noticed the same thing. For me, the initial sound change was very subtle - not that big a deal... maybe a tiny bit more projection but after a couple of weeks it just started to seem rounder, richer. I kind of forgot about it after a while and it just seemed like the oud stayed sounding good for a long time – I didn't even think about changing the strings because it just sounded great. I alternate playing the Foad with other ouds that I have and I lost track of the last time I changed strings. I recently realized that I hadn't changed strings in over a year. Well... I put new strings on it and OH MY GOD! The oud has just opened up tremendously, super rich, loud and punchy but if you play softly it sighs sweetly. It never sounded so good even with new strings before and I didn't notice because the strings were slowly going dead at the same time the oud sound was improving!

It may simply be that the sound is maturing with age but I do think the new bridge has a positive effect on the sound.

Melbourne - 12-18-2007 at 11:40 PM

I've noticed a similar approach on Samir Azar ouds, he designs his bridges in a similar way. I can only imagine it will improve the sound because there is less contact to the vibrating soundboard which will otherwise dampen the sound. Instead the sound is transferred throught the three points of contact as in Ronny's bridge above, rather than the one continuous point of contact, i.e. typical floating bridge.

You still come across many Fawzys Ronny?

Oud Freak - 12-19-2007 at 12:05 AM

Ronny, how was the initial bridge? Was it regular? What is the relation of ur bridge with violins? I think you might be talking about the shape of the empty part of the bridge? Well that's a the bridge I use, and it is bloody good too!

Ronny Andersson - 12-20-2007 at 03:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Oud Freak
Ronny, how was the initial bridge? Was it regular? What is the relation of ur bridge with violins? I think you might be talking about the shape of the empty part of the bridge? Well that's a the bridge I use, and it is bloody good too!


Yes a regular bridge!With violin bridge I mean the bridge has ¨feets¨! Who made your oud?

Ronny Andersson - 12-20-2007 at 03:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Melbourne

You still come across many Fawzys Ronny?


Yes I do :D

Ronny Andersson - 12-20-2007 at 03:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by LeeVaris
Quote:
Originally posted by Ronny Andersson
Now is the sound both very powerful and sweet with richer overtones and with a very nice sustain.


Yes... Ronny, I noticed the same thing. For me, the initial sound change was very subtle - not that big a deal... maybe a tiny bit more projection but after a couple of weeks it just started to seem rounder, richer. I kind of forgot about it after a while and it just seemed like the oud stayed sounding good for a long time – I didn't even think about changing the strings because it just sounded great. I alternate playing the Foad with other ouds that I have and I lost track of the last time I changed strings. I recently realized that I hadn't changed strings in over a year. Well... I put new strings on it and OH MY GOD! The oud has just opened up tremendously, super rich, loud and punchy but if you play softly it sighs sweetly. It never sounded so good even with new strings before and I didn't notice because the strings were slowly going dead at the same time the oud sound was improving!

It may simply be that the sound is maturing with age but I do think the new bridge has a positive effect on the sound.


Yes Lee, I believe the oud needs some time to get used to this kind of bridge design. After the dramatic initial month from the oud was new (built 2003) the soundboard have stabilised long time ago and I felt little bit worried when I tried this bridge due to the sound that really not was impressive . I thought the soundboard would collapse if the bridge gave the too much ¨unusual stress¨ but I gave the bridge a chance and I could hear that the sound was improving and the distinctive Fawzy sound came back but with a new spirit! btw give nylgut a try for the top strings! you won't regret...