joklany
Oud Maniac
Posts: 74
Registered: 2-9-2009
Location: Dubai
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problem with a new oud? Strings don't resonate
Hello All
I recently bought a new oud when I was in Cairo. I switched the strings to be lefthanded. The problem I have is that both nylon strings (C & G)
do not resonate at all and sounds really bad though not as bad when played as open strings.
I spoke to the Maker (Marco's son) who told me that the problem should disappear with use and increased tension on the fingerboard. My dilema is that
the oud sounds too bad to be used!
Any suggestions please.
Another problem that may be related is a really stong buzz on the D string.
Hope this message finds you all well.
Jaafar
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Hatem_Afandi
Oud Junkie
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Registered: 2-26-2005
Location: TX
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Hi Jaafar,
How did you handle the nut?
The nut is usually custom made for each oud. There is only one way it could be seated. If you tried to reverse it, you will have all kinds of issues,
including buzzing too.
I suggest that youtake it to a luthiere to install a new nut. Make sure that the nut material is of good quality bone.
Good luck,
Hatem
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paulO
Oud Junkie
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Registered: 9-8-2004
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Jaafar...there you go man. Heed Hatem's advice. Get the new nut installed, and give the strings and the oud a couple of weeks to settle in to the new
tension pattern you're putting on the instrument. Good luck.
Regards..PaulO
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joklany
Oud Maniac
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Location: Dubai
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Thanks Hatem and Paul.
I think you are right it is a nut problem. I did not need do anything on the nut of my other oud but that nut was wooden and I think the strings
adjusted easier. With this one which I think made of bone, I can see the the strings channels are assymetric.
Thanks gain for your help.
Jaafar
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oudmaker
Oud Junkie
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Location: Philadelphia-USA
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Jaffar
Before doing anything just put a piecce of string transversly next to the nut and push it all the way towards the nut. Tune the oud and try playing
your open strings. See if any of them still buzzez. If so you will have more problem than a nut. Get your self a luthier!!
Dincer
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joklany
Oud Maniac
Posts: 74
Registered: 2-9-2009
Location: Dubai
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Dear Dincer
Thank you for the tip. I just tried it but unfortunately with no success. The open strings sound ok even without the string added. it is only with
the finger actions that the sound almost dies and does not resonate at all. The poor quality is across the whole fingerboard.
I will try to find somebody here in Dubai who could have a look at it but I was wondering if another set of strings with a higher tension would
help.
Any further thoughts.
Best regards
Jaafar
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oudmaker
Oud Junkie
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I am afraid I can not help you I have to see the oud and find what is wrong with it.
Regards
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joklany
Oud Maniac
Posts: 74
Registered: 2-9-2009
Location: Dubai
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Dear All
I took the oud to Damascus and had it fixed by a luthier there.
The problem was that the fingerboard is tilted backward by as much as 5mm. Also the fingerboard was not flat with a dent in the middle.
What puzzles me is that the oud was fine the first 2 months when I got it. I don't understad how the fingerboard tilted backward with use. I would
expect it to tilt forward with the increased tension of the strings.
Regards
Jaafar
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