Mike's Oud Forums

The Turquoise oud

bulerias1981 - 2-21-2012 at 06:24 PM

Ladies and gentleman. I present the 'turquoise' oud. I started this exactly 5 weeks ago with the idea of using turquoise. Its my birthstone (as they say) and also, I find it very beautiful. You'll find it on the bridge (along with bone) and a cap on the peg box, but please tell me your opinion about it. In the future, I may use a lot more turquoise for decor. I get the feeling some people will hate it, and some people will like it.

It has a very sweet sound, balanced, and very Arabic.. which is something I try to obtain.

Measurements:
Scale = 600
Face width = 348
Face length = 502
Bowl depth = 190
Asfour main rosette = 111
Asfour small rosettes = 40 x2

Bowl from Turkish walnut
Neck has spruce core with walnut veneer
Ebony pegs
Ebony fingerboard
Wide grain spruce top
Peg box is from walnut and flamed maple
Pick guard from walnut
Bone nut
Walnut bridge
Turquoise and bone cap on bridge
Turquoise cap on peg box
Binding edge tiles from walnut and boxwood
Finished with tru-oil synthetic varnish

Video will soon follow.


















paulO - 2-21-2012 at 08:13 PM

Lovely work man, thanks for sharing.

Regards..Paul

fernandraynaud - 2-22-2012 at 03:38 AM

It's a beautiful instrument. And turquoise in combination with medium sienna browns is a very fine traditional combination, like lapis and gold. I would wish for a little more to tie it all together, maybe on the periphery of the rosette, instead of that light (MOP?) material.

SamirCanada - 2-22-2012 at 06:24 AM

Sweet looking oud! Very cool idea to use this material!

I am with Frenand on this one, those mop dots would be nice in blue and perhaps a little design peice on the bottom cap that is covering the rib joints.

Lets hear it habibi!

mavrothis - 2-22-2012 at 08:40 AM

Beautiful! Marvelous work on the inlays. I really love the bowl too - it really stands out and holds its own with the rest of the instrument.

Congratulations, I'm looking forward to hearing you play it.

mavrothi

bulerias1981 - 2-22-2012 at 09:28 AM

Thank you all for the comments. My scheme for future higher end instruments is this..

*Turquoise dot inlay on the face (instead of mother of pearl)

*I'll keep the bridge scheme that I have here

*2x turquoise small rosettes (that's right, from turquoise)

*Turquoise beard inlay into the neck joint.

*Maybe turquoise nut

*I'll keep the Turquoise cap

*Maybe turquoise inlay on the bowl

*And maybe Turquoise and bone tiles on the edges

Video coming in a few days. I want the varnish and strings to settle a bit. Thanks!

fernandraynaud - 2-23-2012 at 03:55 AM

On a rosette or nut it could be too brittle. There are some very textured natural turquoises, like "Spiderweb" and Bisbee. Used in Silver turquoise navaho jewelry. Each oud could have its signature turquoise. Say a greener Bisbee with very dark wood, and even use a lttle silver, for some very high end fully ornamented ouds especially for our Saudi friends, but without being tacky. This could bcome your trademark touch!

bulerias1981 - 2-23-2012 at 09:08 AM

Yes, I'm trying to establish a style that is unique, traditional, and classy without being ridiculous.

Are you a jeweler, Fernandraynaud?

bulerias1981 - 2-24-2012 at 09:48 AM

sound file

http://www.mediafire.com/?ya6gp1c4pnb5u14

video to come

bulerias1981 - 5-25-2012 at 04:15 PM

New video I made of the Turquoise oud

http://youtu.be/5_JVID9S5hg

BaniYazid - 5-25-2012 at 11:17 PM

:applause:

Very Arabic sounding !

Good job

manuel - 5-26-2012 at 11:38 AM

Hallo, beautyful. Do you sell the oud you produce? Manuel from italy

bulerias1981 - 5-26-2012 at 04:39 PM

Yes, I do sell. But this one will go to a new owner next week.