Help with Translation

This may be a slightly unusual request. I just completed some small repairs on this oud: new bridge, sanded the face, carved new tuners to replace broken ones, etc. The oud was given to me by my son in law (Arabic descent) after his father died, and was made by a member of his family back many years ago. I have built and repaired many banjos so I researched the recommended things not to do with the oud and made just minor repairs. The maker, Mr. Nichola Reyas (Rais) was living in Santa Barbara, California until the middle of the last century and made violins and ouds. He was a very unusual man, almost a hermit but he made some wonderful instruments. I know a little of him through some autobiographical information created by other members of the extended family. I have a violin he made that sounds great.

The reason I am writing is there is a label in the oud that is in Arabic that I cannot read. I have taken some pictures of it. This was tricky as I did not want to remove the carved rosette. I would be grateful if you would help me translate it. I have also sent along a great photograph of the maker as well as some photos of the violin and the oud in its finished condition. You will notice that the oud in the picture is not the one we have, so he must have made a number of them. He did a good job. There are no cracks whatsoever and the top is flat. Sound seems good, but unfortunately I don’t play.

I hope to hear from someone. Thanks for taking the time.

New Pictures of Oud

Attached are some pictures of Nicholas (Butros) Reyes instruments including a violin he made and which bears his name in the label. He is noted as Nicholas P. Reyes. The carving of the face on the back of the violin is done remarkably well and the violin sounds great.

The Oud has had the face sanded and glue spots removed. I turned and carved four new pegs for the instrument and restained parts of the oud where sanding removed some finish. I also strung the instrument with new strings and tuned it to CFAGDC - low to high. I used silver over nylon strings of .043, for the low and the Pyramid Aoud Orange set for the rest of the instrument. I hope this is correct.

The wood on the back of the Oud is simply beautiful. I believe it to be Birds Eye Maple. The instrument is otherwise unadorned.

Regards,
Joel

Also need help with translation

Hi,

I'm working on a collection of World Music Instrument in Quebec and I am trying to find a translation for a Turkish ud label, but it seems to be in Ottoman script.

Does someone know how to decipher it ?

Any hint is precious to me.

Quote: Originally posted by Violaine

Hi, I'm working on a collection of World Music Instrument in Quebec and I am trying to find a translation for a Turkish ud label, but it seems to be in Ottoman script. Does someone know how to decipher it ? Any hint is precious to me.

Quote: Originally posted by Violaine

Hi, I'm working on a collection of World Music Instrument in Quebec and I am trying to find a translation for a Turkish ud label, but it seems to be in Ottoman script. Does someone know how to decipher it ? Any hint is precious to me.

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