UPDATE: In case anyone from here was bidding on this oud on eBay, I have removed it from auction as I found that there is still some buzzing in some
areas of the fingerboard. I'm a little worried that someone would buy it and not be happy with this, so I've decided to keep it for now.
I think it's safe to say that we all like looking at pictures of old ouds, so I thought I post pics of the Garabed Der Bedrossian that I recently had
restored. It was in rough shape but I kept everything that I could. The pegs have been replaced with ebony ones and the bridge, made of sapele was
lifting and had poor string spacing. The new bridge is in the same style but made of rosewood. It sounds better to my ear and has a little more
sustain. Don Z - 3-28-2015 at 07:39 AM
That's beautiful! Well done!journeyman - 3-28-2015 at 10:42 AM
Thanks Don Z. Anyone care to venture a possible date of manufacture? What do the numerals in the lower left of the label stand for?ALAMI - 3-28-2015 at 01:17 PM
Beautiful oud and Nicely restored, congrats.
the hand written date is 1966, it is probably the date of manufacture
Later on in the 70s, Garabet's ouds become over decorated and more commercial.
you have one coming from the good yearsjourneyman - 3-28-2015 at 04:44 PM
Thanks Alami; 1966...that's good to hear. His later ouds were also very large and uncomfortable to hold, at least for me. The guy who did the
restoration is Iranian and builds mostly Persian instruments, but also builds ouds. He was very impressed with the way this one was put together; the
proportions etc., so much so that he made notes and says that he wants to build one with the same proportions and bracing pattern. Perhaps Garabed was
still being influenced by his father during that earlier period.
I think this oud was in an attic for quite a few years. It was quite dry and had an old abandoned spider's nest inside; hadn't been played for a long
time. I don't know the story behind it, but it is probably typical; the family emigrated and the owner played the oud. The son or daughter didn't play
but kept it for sentimental reasons and now the grandchildren have no connection with the oud or perhaps their grandparents and sold it. I think that
type of thing happens a lot. Makes me wonder what will happen to my guitars and ouds after I'm gone. My sons don't play but I'd like to think that if
I have grandchildren they will play.journeyman - 4-3-2015 at 03:22 PM
I'll be receiving my Zaher Khalifa oud soon, so might be selling this one. I would welcome opinions on value before I list it; anyone have any idea of
value? BTW, the long separation in the top was glued and reinforced with a very thin strip of wood on the underside of the top. I'll try to get a
video clip of the oud.Brian Prunka - 4-3-2015 at 04:31 PM
I'm curious to hear your opinion of the Zaher Khalifa when you get it.journeyman - 4-3-2015 at 08:44 PM
Yes I did Robert. It is a beautiful oud but since this Der Bedrossian has been opening up, Zaher's oud sits in the case. I will however, get some pics
and an mp3 posted in a week or so.
