Mike's Oud Forums

Macassar Ebony / Coromandel

sabbassi - 1-5-2010 at 05:11 AM

When I saw this Picture one day:
I thought, I would love to build an oud from this wood.
So I started building this oud. The Macassar Ebony is an amazing beautiful wood. very smooth and a joy to work with. I have sanded the ribs to 2.2 mm to have a light weight oud.
The top is a 20 years old Spruce. The neck is also from Macassar, so is the fingerboard.
This is the result for the time being.


macassar2.jpg - 309kB macassar1.jpg - 282kB

Aymara - 1-5-2010 at 07:25 AM

Hi Samir!
Quote: Originally posted by sabbassi  
The Macassar Ebony is an amazing beautiful wood.


Yes, for shure, it looks wonderful ... and I really like it on my fingerboard, but I'm a bit sceptic, if it's a good choice for the bowl ... Ebony is said to have "low" resonance characteristics, but maybe the Macassar is different?
Quote: Originally posted by sabbassi  

The top is a 20 years old Spruce.


That sounds very promising :applause:

So, I'm very curious to hear a sound file of the finished beauty.

I'll stay tuned ;)

Microber - 1-5-2010 at 12:54 PM

Very nice.
Please, other pictures.

Robert

urfali_63 - 1-5-2010 at 01:41 PM

masterpiece of work like mine oud ( after you touched him )


with kind regards,


Mehmet

sabbassi - 1-5-2010 at 03:01 PM

Thanks guys, I will post more pictures as progress.

Hi Chris: Macassar Ebony tonewood has good sonic quality, can produce very powerful sound in combination with a good soundboard and the placement of te braces.

Aymara - 1-6-2010 at 12:23 AM

Quote: Originally posted by sabbassi  
..., can produce very powerful sound in combination with a good soundboard and the placement of te braces.


Well, then I'm even more curious to hear it, because 20 year old spruce will give a very good soundboard and regarding braces placement I trust your craftsmanship ... my oud has a wonderful sustain ;)

Keep us informed :wavey:

update

sabbassi - 1-14-2010 at 01:36 AM

some pictures.
pegbox wall, macassar ebony and flamed maple.
pegbox back: ebony
pegbox head, layers of ebony and flamed maple

I wich I could place a macassar ebony bridge, but that would not be in the favor of the sound. it will be a rio rosewood or indian rosewood.

until next pictures

DSC_8522.JPG - 32kB DSC_8523.JPG - 35kB

Aymara - 1-14-2010 at 07:02 AM

Quote: Originally posted by sabbassi  

until next pictures


I'm curious to see more ... it looks very good so far.

paulO - 1-14-2010 at 11:57 AM

Beautiful...thanks for the pics and info...Regards..PaulO

SamirCanada - 1-14-2010 at 01:55 PM

Thats such a nice wood.

Man your cranking out the ouds like a factory!! what is that your 10th oud in 2 months??

good job Samir!

sabbassi - 1-14-2010 at 02:09 PM

Hi Samir, thanks
:) no man, I busy with only this 2 ouds for now. almost a month nwo. I can't wait to start the next one. (flamed maple)
what about yourself, any plans? to make a nice one too

reg,
samir

SamirCanada - 1-14-2010 at 03:33 PM

Yes many plans...
soon enough I will be starting something.

finished

sabbassi - 1-17-2010 at 04:34 AM

At last, the strings are in place.
the whole oud is build as follow
bowl : high grade macassar ebony
soundboard, high grade épicéa spruce
neck, macassar ebony
pegbox: inner wall, flamed maple; outer wall macassar ebony; back: ebony
fingerboard and pickguard and nut: macassar ebony
pegs and bridge, indian rosewood.
purfling: maple/pear

at first strike, I liked the sound already, mature and powerful
the macassar has given extra power the the oud.
the strings are exactly 3mm at neck join, easy to play.

finish: french polish (shellac)

I will post a video in couple of days as the oud settle a bit.

thank you for following this project



DSC_8535.jpg - 286kB DSC_8536.jpg - 288kB DSC_8534.jpg - 316kB

DSC_8548.jpg - 249kB

Aymara - 1-17-2010 at 05:39 AM

Quote: Originally posted by sabbassi  

I will post a video in couple of days as the oud settle a bit.


It looks great and I'm curious to hear it.

Sazi - 1-18-2010 at 02:29 AM

Sounds (and looks) like another winner, excellent! :applause:

What is the string length?

sabbassi - 1-18-2010 at 03:24 AM

Hi Sazi,

58.5 cm, strings la bella (mari)

Aymara - 1-18-2010 at 08:33 AM

Hi Samir,

great ... will you keep it or sell it? I bet, someone might be interested.

sabbassi - 1-22-2010 at 02:00 AM

Hi Chris,

If someone is interested I could sell it. it will be difficult becasue I like the oud very much myself.

Aymara - 1-22-2010 at 05:51 AM

Hi again!
Quote: Originally posted by sabbassi  
it will be difficult becasue I like the oud very much myself.


That's what I expected ;)