RickP - 3-20-2014 at 07:34 PM
Yesterday I was given a small (40cm string length) 5 string oud by someone who took it in part exchange and didn't know what it was. It is definitely
hand made, not particularly intricate, but a decent sound. I've tried to find out about this but with little luck - my question is whether this is a
musical instrument or an ornament (ie is there a tradition of small 5 string ouds?).
Thanks for any input!
majnuunNavid - 3-20-2014 at 08:31 PM
Not that I know of... could be a child one...
Interesting, I would love to see a picture.
Lysander - 3-21-2014 at 01:59 AM
Turkish ouds come in four sizes: girl, boy, woman, man. It could be one of the smaller versions of these.
I was offered a small oud as a present but I went for a larger version. It played well too, it definitely was more than an ornament.
RickP - 3-21-2014 at 08:44 AM
Thanks to both - will post a picture ASAP - need to do a little bit of work to the nut to get the action more playable, but having payed with it
today, it still feels like an instrument (though not comparing with my 11 string, bought in Turkey)
jdowning - 3-21-2014 at 12:13 PM
The smallest traditional Turkish oud (girl size) is said to be 54 cm string length.
Surviving soprano European lutes can have string lengths of around 30 cm or less ( mandolinos) so a 40cm string length oud, properly set up, would
certainly be playable.
RickP - 3-25-2014 at 09:29 AM
Thanks again - the photos are too large (MB rather than KB) to load, so please look at the link and let me know what you think.
http://s1278.photobucket.com/user/James_Strachan/library/Mobile%20U...
Thanks again!
Brian Prunka - 3-25-2014 at 10:00 AM
This is basically a toy. Doesn't mean you can't have fun with it—toys are meant to be played with! But it's not really an "oud" IMO.
Lysander - 3-25-2014 at 12:54 PM
I'm with Brian on this one. Doesn't look like the small Turkish oud I was offered, looks far more 'basic' and made for fun rather than serious study.
Still, doesn't mean you can't use it for what it is.
RickP - 3-26-2014 at 05:51 AM
Appreciate the feedback guys - it has good resonance, and once I've sorted the action out (changed the nut etc) I will definitely play it - it
probably fits more with the (mixed Scottish/Irish/English) folk I play than my 11 string....
Thanks all!