Mike's Oud Forums

Conservation of 1970 G. der Bedrossian Oud

Music - 9-2-2011 at 05:26 AM





Starting off with this. Will post pics as things update.

Needs very little but stabilization. Have decided to not alter the top in any way- whatever minor discoloration is there has been honestly earned over the year. The instrument was played to the point that the pick guard wore away. Inset into the guard is a marquetry piece that's missing one small inlay.



The rosette came detached at one glue point- simple fix.



Here's the front in three pictures.



Some sticky stuff on top- looks like tape residue- that will be carefully removed.





It does need a replacement nut made so I'll be jumping on that this weekend.



The bottom side as some sticky gunk built up- as best I can tell, it was being used as a decorative piece before I acquired it.



Inlay on the reverse is gorgeous and complete




BaniYazid - 9-2-2011 at 06:37 AM

Hi,

I would takes off the rosette to check visually the braces and reinforce the soundboard, if needed, before glueing it definitely.

---> Wait for experimented advice before doing anything to this artwork.

Thank you for sharing.

bulerias1981 - 9-3-2011 at 04:36 PM

This seems like a beautiful oud! Have you played this oud before? How is it structurally inside? Did you knock for any loose braces?

I wish you luck on this project. Please feel free to ask questions on here as you'd like.

For the pick guard, you might be able to rescue the triangular patch inlay, and remove the old black pickguard. You can use some veneer and replicated the pattern and use the triangular patch as a template, cut it out and glue it inside the pickguard once its been glued down to the face of course.

Music - 9-4-2011 at 06:50 AM

Hello bulerias!

No loose braces. I've actually been through the inside with an endoscope. It's sound. Haven't played it- I found this oud "in the wild" recently and am just now bringing it up to par.

I haven't decided on how to handle the pick guard. Part of me wants to go for a full restoration which would involve a new one, another part of me wants to do a stabilization and conservation which wouldn't. The nut blank should arrive today, so I'll get started on making those decisions here shortly :D

bulerias1981 - 9-4-2011 at 09:01 AM

The oud doesn't seem to need too much work. I have no idea what state the neck is in, and if the strings would be of a good action. But still, seems like a good catch. Where did you find this wonderful instrument?

Music - 9-4-2011 at 07:56 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bulerias1981  
Where did you find this wonderful instrument?


;) ;)



If anyone seriously questions how absolutely critical using the right title keywords are when listing an online auction, that should pretty much make the case.

bulerias1981 - 9-4-2011 at 09:28 PM

Wow.. what a deal! Mabrouk! :)