Mike's Oud Forums

why do ouds buzz ?

dkhoury35 - 11-3-2010 at 04:32 AM

I have recently started to learn the oud and i have purchased a oud from arabinstruments can someone tell me why it buzzes , we have tried changing the strings and it has not helped please someone help me !!!!

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sabbassi - 11-3-2010 at 04:41 AM

Hi

The fingerboard is not flat as the following line:
________________________________________________________________________:(

At the moment that there are miniscule bumps on the fingerboard (holes), it will buzz.
Highering the strings at the bridge level should help a bit if the holes are not too big. but will also higher the action.
if this does not help you need to sand down the fingerboard with all the consequences that can follow.

best regards,

Samir


dkhoury35 - 11-3-2010 at 05:01 AM

what do you meen im still a learner

dkhoury35 - 11-3-2010 at 05:05 AM

it seems the strings are touching each other i dont know maybe they are not

sabbassi - 11-3-2010 at 05:41 AM

Hi,

you could try to fix it yourself by sanding the fingerbord lightly,start by 120 grid paper and above....

It will be difficult for you in this case to fix it. you could get back to where you bought the oud from or a professional guitar/violin maker if you are far away from an oud maker.

good luck


whisperoftheoud - 11-3-2010 at 07:24 AM

if you can come our oud shop we can fix it. I think your oud is basic one !
http://www.turkishouds.com

DoggerelPundit - 11-3-2010 at 11:20 AM

My 2 cents. Is the buzzing on all strings and positions, or is this more limited? Before sanding anything or pursuing other permanent alterations, check the roses for any looseness or unglued areas. Looseness in the bracing can be possibly indicated by tapping all areas of the face with the soft tip of a finger. You may hear things that don't sound solid. Looseness in these areas may cause buzzing on any note or string, some only at particular frequencies.

To check string height as a possible cause, follow sabbassi's lead and raise the string height at the bridge To that I would add, raise them as high as possible—only for a test—to see if this (normally) excessive height has any effect (rotate the string knots until the loops are as high as you can get them). The nut may also be at fault.