ASAL - 1-14-2009 at 12:33 AM
Hello everyone.
I just recently got myself an Oud.
It was a gift. I am trying to find out more about my Oud.
I just started getting interested in the instrument so i don't really know much about it. Can someone tell me what kind of Oud i have? I've attached
the pictures.
Thanks.
ASAL - 1-14-2009 at 12:41 AM
1.
ASAL - 1-14-2009 at 12:42 AM
2.
ASAL - 1-14-2009 at 12:44 AM
3.
Sorry for the large size image.
I don't know how to make it smaller.
zakiya_alali - 1-14-2009 at 01:08 AM
Hi ASAL
This is Ibrahim alsukar oud(syrian oud). It is the top quality oud in the market these days. The sound of it its very nice and loud. I think it will
be a great start for u since u have got this oud
All the best
KR
ASAL - 1-14-2009 at 01:18 AM
Hello zakiya_alali
Thanks for the information.
Im very delighted to hear that.
Can i know what is the tuning for the oud, and also what kind of strings i should get for my oud.
Marcus - 1-14-2009 at 02:01 AM
Hello Asal,
You lucky guy! A gift? Must be someone who really likes you!!
Its kind of the dream of my sleepless nights.......I`m just a bit jeallous
The most common tuning is the "standard" arab tuning: DGAdgc (from low to high)But there are a lot of other tunings for ouds.Just use the
search-function on this forum or google "Oud-tunings.
Just beware of the turkish tuning,its a full tone higher and probably to much tension for your oud.
Strings: I own a turkish middle class oud but tune it the standard arab way. With Pyramid Strings (the orange ones) it sounds very good and the price,
around 8€,is ok i think.
Again, a search in the forum gives you a lot of infos about different strings and where to get them.
I wish you a lot of fun with your "baby"!!! Hope you let us hear "her" soon.
All the best
Marcus
zakiya_alali - 1-14-2009 at 04:50 AM
Hi again
well I wont change the strings unless they r really exausted and if u do make sure u get either Labela or Gali they r excellent
I strongly suggest u stick to the arabic tuning which is
F-A-D-G-C-F
all the best
Marcus - 1-14-2009 at 05:21 AM
Hi zakiya_alali
hm....looks like string-taste is different.
Where is your tuning locatet? If I try to tune the lowest string to the F below middle D its very loose and it do not make any sound.Tune it one
octave higher scares me because of the immense tension.
In the tuning I use (upper post) the A is on 440 Hz.So is the A in your tune?
Ì`m a bit confused.
Marcus
Marcus - 1-14-2009 at 05:22 AM
Hi zakiya_alali
hm....looks like string-taste is different.
Where is your tuning locatet? If I try to tune the lowest string to the F below middle D its very loose and it do not make any sound.Tune it one
octave higher scares me because of the immense tension.
In the tuning I use (upper post) the A is on 440 Hz.So is the A in your tune?
Ì`m a bit confused.
Marcus
Luttgutt - 1-15-2009 at 04:44 AM
Hi all!
Congratulation Asal!
True, this Oud is Sukar oud. And Sukar does not make bad ouds :-) So it is a good one.
But this is model number 1 in Sukar heirarchy, i.e. not topp model Sukar oud.
When it come to tuning, Zakiya is right, with THIS particular oud!
So Marcus, some add a high tune string: F-A-D-G-C-F (the low F varies from player to player.)
and some add a low tune string (an extra base string), and the tuning varies from player to player. (ex: C-D-A-D-G-C).
In in that case, it would be impossible to tun the high string to F. (Hope that helps you Marcus).
That is Sukar adds the high F string to his ouds.
When it comes to strings, you could keep the 3 nylon strings, but my guess is that the base ones (the read ones) are of bad quality, and that they
produce lots of buzzing sound no metter how well you tune them, and that you ought to change them.
The chose of strings is individual. Pyramid would work well. But do NOT use turkish strings on this oud (except maybe for the D string :-) as they are
made for another tuning (turkish tuning).
Hope this helps
and good luck
ASAL - 1-15-2009 at 05:56 AM
Thank you zakiya_alali, Marcus and Luttgutt.
You guys have been great help.
One more thing. The country i live in doesn't sell Oud strings, its hard to find a shop selling them. Can anyone advise me on how i can get myself the
oud strings? Perhaps a link to a good website that sells them or something?
Christian1095 - 1-15-2009 at 07:44 AM
Asal, I think you will be happy with the Sukar oud... I have a couple... In fact, I have one just like yours (except the back is lighter) ---
Indeed, that's was an awesome gift....
I would recommend you get rid of the stings that came with the oud and put a new set on as soon as possible.... You'll be a lot happier with the
sound. The Sukar ouds you get in the US come with horrible strings... If you're elsewhere, things might be different though....
If you're in the US/Canada, I would strongly recommend Khalaf Oud strings... Here's their website... http://www.khalafoud.com/ -- You may want to email Jameel if you're somewhere else about shipping.... Outside of the US, I don't know.... But
he's pretty much the choice here. Where are you located?
For strings, I prefer Aquilla strings.... Also, I would go with the tuning you see most often which is either CFADgc or DGADgc (bass string to high
string) - I prefer the DGADgc tuning because I like to hit the D string when I drone... But I think it comes down to preference... Also, realize
there is a differnce between Pyramid strings and 3 Pyramid strings... 3 Pyramid's are not very good quality... Pyramid strings are...
Good luck!
ASAL - 1-16-2009 at 11:23 PM
Thank you Christian1095.
Really appreciate all the info you've given.