suz_i_dil - 1-22-2013 at 10:26 AM
Dear all,
Brian Prunka made a reference to a past oud maker in Damascus, name Shukri Al Mulqi.
Can someone help me to know more about his maker. Time and place where he worked ? Any pictures of his work ?
I'ld like to know more about the works of this maker
Thank you for your help.
Brian Prunka - 1-22-2013 at 02:14 PM
All I know is that the Shaheens had two of his ouds inherited from their father, one of which is in my possession. The original label is lost on
mine. To the best of my knowledge, my oud is from the late 1920s.
Alfaraby - 1-23-2013 at 02:23 AM
Nothing much about Shukri Al Mulqy is known to us despite the pressing insistant inquiries we've made through the past years. The first time I've
heard this name was from the Master Kamil Mowais of Nazareth, who told me that two of the greatest antique ouds he'd repaired were of Mulqy's, but he
has never seen them again and heard they were both lost in accidents !
As I did with Al Gohary, I looked Mulqy's name up in the net but found absolutely nothing. I started to doubt something wrong with my computer.
Here are two photos of Al Mulqy's oud dated 1898 sent to me by a Syrian friend. Hope they respectfully represent the luthier.
Yours indeed
Alfaraby
[file]25555[/file] [file]25557[/file]
Brian Prunka - 1-23-2013 at 08:37 AM
Here are some old photos of my oud:
Note that the fingerboard has been changed and the soundhole modified. The main rosette is lost. The pickguard has been replaced as well, I
believe.
Alfaraby - 1-23-2013 at 09:05 AM
Here's another Shukri Al Mulqy's ouds from the late 19 C.
Enjoy
Yours indeed
Alfaraby
[file]25561[/file] [file]25559[/file]
suz_i_dil - 1-24-2013 at 01:43 AM
Thanks for those pictures and the informations about.
The inlays on the bowls and neck are a real marvel. The one of 1898 remind me of some ottoman art. Maybe on a manol oud I've seen a while ago ?
Al Mulqi is a big family in Damascus, an uncle told me about 500 or more family head member having this name.
Once the time will be appropriate for this kind research, I'll try to seek more about him. Hope this time time will come soon...And I don't mean that
for oud issue.
I'ld be glad to see a picture of the label, to know where his workshop was located, and who knows...Maybe with a picture of the possible ancestor?
Though I guess the period is too old for any kind of picture on the label.
Did you made recording of the sound of one of those ouds ?
Thanks
Yours indeed
Brian Prunka - 1-24-2013 at 05:06 AM
I have a video here from 2007 (although the videographer apparently put the wrong name when I'm playing! story of my life).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91JerVWKRVM
suz_i_dil - 1-24-2013 at 12:45 PM
The sound is nice, warm with deep bass, but (for me) lacking a bit of sustain. I know it's rather usual with arabic old style ouds.
Your music is nice either 
Do you think the soundboard is original on your oud, despite the change of soundholes inlays and pickguard ?
francis - 1-24-2013 at 03:02 PM
I really like this tune, Brian, especially the first part ( taksim? ) you play alone!
Brian Prunka - 1-24-2013 at 06:29 PM
Thanks, Francis and Suzidil.
Yes, the soundboard is original. It's true that this oud does not have a lot of sustain, though this is typical of the style. A different microphone
would likely have picked up more sustain, it has a bit more than is captured in this recording. It's not like a modern turkish oud, though, that's
for sure.
This music was written by the drummer, it was his gig.
suz_i_dil - 12-6-2014 at 09:30 AM
Hello
here is pictures I received of a Shukri Al Mulqi oud
I think to read on the label " Beyrouth - Damascus road " Correct me if I'm wrong.
The owner says it is from 1903, for me it's the first time I see so much detailed inlaid soundboard on an oud think of this period
Regards
[file]33569[/file] [file]33567[/file] [file]33571[/file] [file]33573[/file] [file]33575[/file] [file]33577[/file] [file]33579[/file]
[file]33581[/file] [file]33583[/file] [file]33585[/file]
suz_i_dil - 12-6-2014 at 09:32 AM
More pictures
[file]33587[/file] [file]33589[/file] [file]33591[/file] [file]33593[/file] [file]33595[/file] [file]33597[/file] [file]33599[/file]