I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good make of electric Oud? I'm thinking along the lines of solid body, with machine tuners.
Many Thanks - MarkAymara - 11-19-2011 at 12:57 PM
Hi Mark,
search the forums for Godin Multioud.
It's the best compromise in my opinion, though not the cheapest fernandraynaud - 11-19-2011 at 02:39 PM
Aymara is right, it's a practical solution. You can probably get a multi-oud locally on a return privilege, and you can't put a price on that! I have
never played one, but I don't think they have much of the oud's timbre or feel.
There are alternatives. Personally I would look for a Sukar fiberglass shallow-body because of the adjustable neck and positive sukar experience.
There are turkish shallow and solid body ouds available direct, also Egyptian toilet-seat electrics that sound ok. Sukar also makes a toilet-seat that
looks a little more dignified than most. I understand the appeal of mechanical tuners, but I think there's a point past which an instrument loses a
lot of its character. Somehow I don't think monsieur Godin knows what an oud IS. But then again, a real oud is not an ideal ensemble member, because
it occupies such a broad and coveted slice of the spectrum, so maybe the development of an oud-like instrument that's a better live and team player is
inevitable.
Check this Out
Fernando of Sor - 11-19-2011 at 05:50 PM
Hi, I've been looking around a bit at different electric ouds. I like the Godin, but it didn't really inspire me, and for the money they're charging,
it'd need to. I would however say as a guitarist of 30 years experiance, that Godin make excellent quality instruments, and have a great reputation.
To be fair, I'd need to hear one live, but it's miles out of my price range anyway. I checked out the Sukar electric oud, which sounds great and looks
really nice, but has wooden peg tuners. In the end I'm going to go for one of these :
I fully realise that an electric Oud is not in any way a replacement for an acoustic tonally, but for practical reasons, it's a much better option for
me personally at this point. In the future, I will get an acoustic Oud of good quality, but maybe when my playing reaches a level that would justify
the cost.
Thanks as always for the advice - MarkAymara - 11-20-2011 at 01:07 AM
... I don't think they have much of the oud's timbre or feel.
I think the Multioud has more of an acoustic ouds timbre, than those toilet seats with pickup
In my opinion the Mulitoud is the best choice, if an electric oud is really needed.
But the question is WHY is an electric oud needed. If it's only for the stage, I still recommend the Godin, if the player has to compete with loud
instruments like drums.
If it's mainly needed for the studio or for an oud ensemble on stage, I would use an acoustic oud with a good large condenser microphone.
But that's only my opinion ... other's might differ
PS: If an electric oud is needed to practice at night times, the Godin might be too loud.Fernando of Sor - 11-20-2011 at 10:26 AM
Hi again, I have two problems which make a solid Oud the right choice. Firstly where I'm currently living has no heating, and I wouldn't want to
expose an acoustic Oud to the kind of temperatures that are on their way soon.
But the main problem is volume. I Need something v. quiet. Like I said, just a temporary solution. I need something to learn on really. At the
moment I'm using a classical guitar with the frets removed.
It'll be a big step up from that, for sure.
All the best - Mark Aymara - 11-20-2011 at 10:38 AM
Firstly where I'm currently living has no heating, ...
That might be a problem for every instrument. What temperatures are you expecting?
Quote:
At the moment I'm using a classical guitar with the frets removed.
Then the Godin won't be too loud, I think. But it might be too expensive, if the temperature might ruin it.
But Godin's instruments are very solidly built. Fernando of Sor - 11-20-2011 at 11:00 AM
Hi Chris,
Basically, it drops to the same temperature as it is outside, so In Jan/Feb probably -1 to-4. Given how delicate Ouds are, I just don't want to take a
chance on it. If there's one thing I hate, it's seeing good instruments damaged.
I've read more than one article by people saying that thier Oud's have been effected by temperature extremes.
I've been playing electric guitar for years, so an electric Oud isn't going to be a problem. I'm looking forward to it.
Apart from anything else I'm keen to get on with some study, and a battered 6 string classical isn't really ideal for that.
Volume wise, an electric solid body will be significantly quieter, which means I can, when appropriate, hit the strings harder. Of course, it also
means I can run it through a mixing desk and use headphones. At the moment I'm playing the classical lighter than I should.
One day I'll get a more authentic, and better sounding set up, but for now, it'll have to do. Main thing is to study at this point.
