joklany
Oud Maniac
Posts: 74
Registered: 2-9-2009
Location: Dubai
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Ordering a new Oud
Hi All
I hope this message finds you well.
After a bit more than year since I started learning to play, I know now that my passion for oud is going to be for life! So, I am thinking of
upgrading my cheap learner's oud to a good quality one.
Browsing through the forum, I frequently saw the advice to people buying a new oud that they should experiment with different ones until they find one
they like most.
Here is my dilema!
I am left handed and would like to order a left handed oud from an oudmaker. The oud maker will most likely have to make it for me. Therefore, I
will not be in a positon to test the sound of the oud.
So how can I tell the maker that I would like one that has typical arabic warm sound? Do I need to specify the type of wood and /or other parameters
or leave it to him?
Best regards
Jaafar
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Luttgutt
Oud Junkie
Posts: 578
Registered: 1-10-2009
Location: Norway
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Hi!
Well you don't really have to play a full song on a oud to test its sound.
You can play one string at a time.
Lots of "popular" old arabic songs can be played on one string (Dizzani, for example).
So you can pick ANY oud and try all the strings.
And then you can decide what luthier you like!
Good luck
The wood might be dead, but the oud is alive.
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Sazi
Oud Junkie
Posts: 786
Registered: 9-17-2007
Location: Behind my oud
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Mood: مبتهج ; ))
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Quote: Originally posted by joklany  |
Here is my dilema!
I am left handed and would like to order a left handed oud from an oudmaker. The oud maker will most likely have to make it for me. Therefore, I
will not be in a positon to test the sound of the oud.
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Hi Jaafar, the only major difference between a right or left handed oud is the pegbox, inside, the bracing etc is exactly the same, ...(see the next
two posts below) ...so you could try a R/H oud and just get the maker to change the head if you like it.
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spyros mesogeia
Oud Junkie
Posts: 896
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Location: WASHINGTON DC
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Well my friend Sazi,I do not really agree with you....there are more diferences,about the thickness and the supporting sistem beyond the pegbox
too...
My friend just try as many ouds you can.I am sure that you will find what you like.
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Sazi
Oud Junkie
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Registered: 9-17-2007
Location: Behind my oud
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Mood: مبتهج ; ))
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Hi Spiros, yes, maybe I should have said "generally" as many makers don't vary the soundboard thickness between bass and treble sides, it being even
all over, just maybe thinned at the edges, and mostly the bracing is symmetrical. I guess the thing to do would be to ask the particular maker.
Obviously the nut will need to be changed too.
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spyros mesogeia
Oud Junkie
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yes my friend,nut and the holes on the bridge also
Regards from MD
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Sazi
Oud Junkie
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Location: Behind my oud
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Mood: مبتهج ; ))
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Why so? Maybe that depends on the maker too? On all the fixed bridge ouds I've had the holes are all the same, I recall you have ouds from very good
makers who are more likely to vary these things to make the "perfect"oud...
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spyros mesogeia
Oud Junkie
Posts: 896
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Well,to tell you the truth,I have very good ouds indeed,and I also have and a very old Manol oud among them,
I love my ouds and all of them are custom made ones....
Best Regards
Spyros
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joklany
Oud Maniac
Posts: 74
Registered: 2-9-2009
Location: Dubai
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Mood: No Mood
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Thank you for the tips.
I just flipped the strings on my learner oud from right to left. Although it is ok, but I could never get rid of the buzzing sound on the treble C
string and that string is very "mute".
The only problem with trying is that I am in Dubai and I am considering ordering one from Turkey or Syria! So I have no chance of trying.
So, a related question would be, does each individual maker have a distinct sound for their ouds or the sounds could vary significantly among the
different ouds each one makes?
Thanks again
Jaafar
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Sazi
Oud Junkie
Posts: 786
Registered: 9-17-2007
Location: Behind my oud
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Mood: مبتهج ; ))
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| Quote: Originally posted by joklany |
So, a related question would be, does each individual maker have a distinct sound for their ouds or the sounds could vary significantly among the
different ouds each one makes?
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That's two questions The answer could be yes/maybe for both, some makers can make
an oud to sound like whatever they wish, some have a unique "signature" sound, I read somewhere here that Faruk's ouds always sound similar, and like
no-one elses, but I have no personal experience with them.
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spyros mesogeia
Oud Junkie
Posts: 896
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Location: WASHINGTON DC
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Mood: play my ouds
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Dear friend,
the sound can be affected by many things,soundboard type,thickness of it,type[cedar-spruce]bracing sistem,and that is almost 80%,the bowl is the
reflection of the sound it is almost 20%.So the combination of all these things[and the string length and tentions],can affect the sound.Ofcourse each
flower has his own parfume,and each maker has his own sound.Some Luthiers have their own typical sound.
You have to see and choose what you want,Personally I prefer the sound to be exactly as I Personally want,and the creftmanship to be as I want
also,that is why I always have custom made instruments.
Best Regards
Spyros
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joklany
Oud Maniac
Posts: 74
Registered: 2-9-2009
Location: Dubai
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So I think I have two options. Option one, select a right handed oud that I like, change the nut and remove the first peg as I did with my existing
one (looks ugly!), and flip the strings. Option two, order custom made left-handed one without trying and trust the oud maker.
Which option would you recommend?
Regards
Jaafar
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Sazi
Oud Junkie
Posts: 786
Registered: 9-17-2007
Location: Behind my oud
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Mood: مبتهج ; ))
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Option 2, and if you select a good maker, there's plenty of info here in the forum, you should end up happy. 
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spyros mesogeia
Oud Junkie
Posts: 896
Registered: 9-10-2003
Location: WASHINGTON DC
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Mood: play my ouds
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I am sure that the left hand oud is the best my friend,option 2
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joklany
Oud Maniac
Posts: 74
Registered: 2-9-2009
Location: Dubai
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Mood: No Mood
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Hi Luttgutt
Do you have the sheet music for any of these one string songs? I would really appreciate it if you could share with me.
Many Thanks.
Jaafar
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