Mike's Oud Forums

Housain Sabsaby

Omar Al-Mufti - 11-14-2012 at 01:09 PM

I would like to share my new experience with one of the finest luthiers, Housain Sabsaby. I have been advised by a friend of mine to buy oud from Sabsaby. I contacted him, we talked over the phone so many times to fix the specifications of the new oud. He gave me many tips which were so beneficial. I got my oud about 20 days after placing the order, and guess what, one of the best ouds I've ever seen, a piece of art. The sound is so pure, the dimensions are well set, the design is so elegant. I'm so happy to have this oud, once the tuning settles, i will upload a sound sample. I can only recommend buying ouds from him. It is worth every cent you pay

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John Erlich - 11-14-2012 at 02:33 PM

Ahalan Omar,

I didn't know Husain Sabsaby was a luthier as well as a performer. The oud looks very elegant indeed. How much did/does he charge? Is he able to do business normally? I thought he's from Damascus.

Alf Shukran,
John

stos - 11-15-2012 at 05:58 AM

hello!

the oud seems really beautifull !

I'm also interrested in the question John asked.

I would like also to know if he speaks an other language than arabic?

thanks a lot!

fadel - 11-15-2012 at 06:07 AM

hi

yase

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjfFZG0Saoo&list=UUFLL1G_211BWM9...

Husain good player and good maker to

salam

spyblaster - 11-15-2012 at 08:17 AM

i was also surprised when he shared his ouds on facebook(about a year ago i think). i dont know that if he actually makes the ouds or manages a workshop. but his ouds look nice anyway.

Omar Al-Mufti - 11-22-2012 at 06:51 AM

actually, he makes the ouds himself. He has been doing that even before having his famous lessons with Muneer Bashir in Amman. Munir chose him to make the Bashiri ouds and gave him the plans. The only thing is that he doesn't produce so much ouds like other syrian luthiers.
Prices depend so much on design and type of wood. Mine costs like 900$. Again, it worths every cent.

spyblaster - 11-22-2012 at 07:36 AM

do you have any info why his ouds weren't seen for so many years? im really curious...usually oud players who are also luthiers, play their own oud to give credit to their works, but sabsaby has been using fawzi munshid ouds on the stage in the recent years as far as i know.
i also haven't heard anything about any possible relation between sabsaby and munir bashir. can you explain more? is there any photos/videos in the net?

Omar Al-Mufti - 11-27-2012 at 10:49 AM

@spyblaster:
You can call/write to him if you like. That's what I did after seeing one of his ouds made for a friend of mine.
The serial number for the oud I have now is less that 200. It gives an indication on how many ouds have been made by him.
The story of him and Munir is well known. During one interview with Omar Bashir, Omar admits that his father gave oud plans/schetches to some oud makers. In the vidio posted above, the original plan, signed by Munir is clearly seen.
I asked Hussein why he always uses Fawzi Al-Basrawi's oud. This oud is actually modified. Hussein removed the brace under the soundboard and put new ones the way he liked. He also claims that the recordings he made for the Syrian TV were all don by his own ouds. His son, Mohammad, is a brilliant oud player and he always uses ouds made by his father.
However, I don't have precise answers to your questions. Contact him better if you like