Mike's Oud Forums

oud with fret markers

taaroa - 2-1-2012 at 06:38 AM

hello fellow oudjunkies
my name is david and i am a oud-aholic

I am interested in buying an oud from a seller in antwerp, belgium who claims having bought this oud

http://www.2dehands.be/muziek/muziekinstrumenten/luit/luit-11174829...

6 years ago... He is also says it's a moroccan oud.
You will notice what I first thought were movable frets but
are in fact after inquiry with the seller 'just decoration'...

I was hoping that these were precise fret markers...
Is this a bad or a good thing ?

Thanks in advance!

David

Ghent, Belgium

MatthewW - 2-1-2012 at 01:34 PM

Hi David

oud 'fret markers' never got in the way of this guy's playing-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aC6nLU1k9gM&feature=related

I think it's all down to personal tastes if you want any sort of fret markers/guides or not. The main thing is if the oud is in good condition, sounds good to you and plays nice. Also if the 'fret markers' on this oud are located in positions that are accurate, not just drawn on in random positons etc. Also see if they can be removed easily with no damage to fingerboard in case you don't like them or they are not in good positions.
best to try the oud out. good luck- MW

taaroa - 2-2-2012 at 07:46 AM

hi matthew
thanks for the reply and the wonderful youtube link.
I guess that's Farid El Attrache (sorry for eventual
misspelling)
I am just learning about the masters!

As for the oud I'm interested in I will definetly first
try to meet with the seller and take that baby for a
ride first to see if we're compatible :-)
and check if the markers are accurate.

Thanks