littleseb - 9-4-2009 at 03:55 AM
Salam everybody!
I have a problem with my Sukar Oud:
I was on holidays for a week and when I came back, desperate to play Oud, I found the bridge unglued (maybe due to the cold weahter kicking in?). I
was shocked, but when inspecting it closer I realised that no damage had been done to the sound board (I think).
Is it advisable to fix it myself? I have some experience with wood work, but don't feel fully confident messing with my beloved instrument.
Is it common for Ouds of reasonable quality to just fall apart like this?
Does anybody know a luthier or instrument maker in London UK to help me?
I'm missing out on valuable practice time!
Thanx for your time folks!
hama - 9-4-2009 at 04:01 AM
Hi Littleseb
Sorry to hear about your problem with your beloved oud , I dont know much about repair but i know some body in london who did some work for me on my
previouse oud and he is very good , he was also recomended by Ehsan Emam
his name is mike , works for famouse hobgoblin http://www.hobgoblinlondon.co.uk/
. the address is
Hobgoblin London
24 Rathbone Place, London, W1T 1JA Open 10am - 6pm
Monday to Saturday
his DDI Tel: 020 7323 3239057
best to call him befor ehand to make sure he is there
all teh best
littleseb - 9-4-2009 at 04:08 AM
Hi Hama,
I will check it out, but will show it to Ehsan first to get his advice.
By the way, I wanted to tell you for a long time that Ehsan is an amazing teacher and wonderful man. Thanx for passing on his details!!
hama - 9-4-2009 at 04:18 AM
HI Seb,
I am glad you like him , he is a nice guy and helped me alot, good luck with the oud , may be me , you and Rex should get together one day since we
all live in london.
littleseb - 9-4-2009 at 04:25 AM
Yes we should, very good idea! I'm always up for meeting like-minded people.
But don't expect too much of my oud skills, it's only been 6 months for me!!
hama - 9-4-2009 at 04:30 AM
dont worry I am still very much a beginner , due to lack of time to practice ( good excuse)
littleseb - 9-4-2009 at 04:59 AM
Coolio, I'm definitely up for it! I'm sure we'll have fun and can exchange little hints and tricks. Just let me know when you want to do it, I'm
always free in evenings and at weekends.
fernandraynaud - 9-4-2009 at 02:40 PM
Wow, THAT must have been a surprise!
I've noticed on my Sukar that they work with the challenge of keeping glue and varnish off the soundboard. If glue bleeds it's not easy to remove it
and have the unfinished soundboard look completely virgin. I imagine that for that reason on occasion a worker skimps on glue, that combined
with maybe a higher than average tension on the strings, and BZOING! But as you noted, no harm done. There's no rose to remove, and there are long arm
clamps available, if it's hide glue, no problem, watch the bracing, but personally I'd reglue it myself. Clearly no harm in having it done by a pro
What were your strings like and how was it tuned?
littleseb - 9-7-2009 at 01:59 AM
I showed my oud to my teacher, and he encouraged me to re-glue it myself, which I did last night. I hope I did ok.
Fernand, the strings were in a good condition, and tuned to a tuning fork too standard arabic tuning - Sol-La-Re-Sol-Do.
Like you said, maybe the were a bit careful with the glue, or maybe it was the sudden drop in temperature.
Anyway, all a good experience, and my next oud will be a floating bridge!
Thanks folks!
David.B - 9-7-2009 at 02:37 AM
Hello littleseb,
I've got two Sukar oud (model 1 and 8) and no damages ! I think it's due to the climate (legendary humidity of Great Britain 
) and jumps of temperature, as you said. If you store your oud in a box, keep it a
little open to avoid humidity. By the way, a floating bridge would avoid this problem, an oriental climate too 
!
fernandraynaud - 9-7-2009 at 11:25 PM
That, and "sundays closed".
littleseb - 9-8-2009 at 01:44 AM
ok Fernand, I'll keep it closed on a sunday, but will discuss weekly after-hours opening times with my mother .
littleseb - 9-8-2009 at 01:46 AM
and 'bang'!!! this little comment turned me into an oud addict 
P_S: I fixed my bridge yesterday, will see tonight if it holds!! Wish me luck!
hama - 9-8-2009 at 01:47 AM
How is it going Seb with teh oud? all sorted??
littleseb - 9-8-2009 at 02:02 AM
Don't know yet, glue is still drying. Will give it a go tonight. Fingers crossed!!
Christian1095 - 9-9-2009 at 06:37 AM
wishing you luck!
Ararat66 - 9-9-2009 at 10:57 AM
We're on the edge of our seats hee mate - how much longer can we hold on for ...
Leon
Goog luck
littleseb - 9-10-2009 at 12:47 AM
Everybody, please stay calm!! The wait is over, the results are in......
The glue is dry, the strings are tuned and the bridge is..........HOLDING!!!!!!!!
Ararat66 - 9-10-2009 at 01:27 AM
phew I can get up at last ... I need a cup o tea after that
abusin - 9-10-2009 at 03:17 AM
Well done my friend,
this is what I call getting to know your oud, from now on you'll give it more TLC
play in good health