New Sarikus oud

Hello everybody,

I just come back from Istanbul with a very beautiful oud from Cengiz Usta and Veysel Sarikus (Damascus model).

I contacted Veysel a little in advance to make my order and give him the specs that I wanted for the oud. When I arrived in Istanbul my oud was almost finished.. Cengiz Usta and Veysel were really hospitable and friendly hosts. I had my best Turkish coffee there, and good kebab with Veysel too !

I had the idea of a new design for the pickguard, inspired by 16th-century ottoman ceramics in the rumi style. Veysel agreed to make it, and I have to say that I was very impressed by the result ! The workmanship is really excellent... I'm honoured that Cengiz Usta liked it and decided to use it on some of his new instruments.

Here is a front picture (black sea spruce top, nice horn rosettes, walnut bridge manol style, 60cm string length, ebony and maple pickguard, trespa fingerboard, ebony pegs) :



The back is also beautiful and made fully of Anatolian walnut (I like the idea of using local woods) :



The oud is very easy to play, with low action (without buzz), a thin neck an smooth fingerboard.

The sound is very balanced from basses to trebles; however the string tension is too high for my taste so I ordered a set of Pyramid lute strings. I'll record something as soon as they will be installed and have settled.



Here are some other pictures of my visit :

Looking for the shop




The unfinished oud on the bench, with the staff working hard on other ouds



A glimpse into oud heaven...



Cengiz Usta giving the last touches to the oud



Finally it's done ! Veysel trying the new baby



Thanks Cengiz Usta and Veysel !




Dan

Thanks everybody for your kind comments !

Veysel, thanks you too for the beautiful oud It sounds better every time I play it


regards,

Dan