Hi guys, this is my first time here and I love this site. I have proffessional rosewood oud that I got from Raffat at egyptian lines, and I love it.
My friend who is an oud player advised me to rub the oud with a very light coat of olive oil every 5-6 months to keep the wood from getting old and
cracking. Is this advise valid?. Please let me know.
Thank you.Jameel - 9-5-2003 at 02:42 PM
I am just a beginning oud maker, but I have over a decade of fine furniture experience. No matter what type of finish any peice of wood has, rubbing
olive oil on it is crazy advice. Without a doubt. (Trust me, I'm Lebanese, and my oud is about the only thing I DON'T put olive oil on Do not rub any type of oil on your oud at all. Period. If the sound board is
unfinished, keep the the oud in a dust free area when not playing it.mavrothis - 9-5-2003 at 03:45 PM
Kaissi, listen to Jameel.
The only oil you ever put on the oud is maybe once a year, some mineral oil on the fingerboard, but if you do that, be very careful not to get it on
the soundboard, the face. That would leave a permanent stain.
After applying a thin coat, carefully rub it off after 10 minutes. But honestly, this is not that necessary.
For the face though, never put anything on it.
Take care.
oud care
kaissi - 9-5-2003 at 06:38 PM
Thank you guys so so much, you are a life savers. You prevented me from damaging a beautifull oud.Mike - 9-5-2003 at 07:14 PM
I've heard you can immerse neys in almond oil - or something close to it - to prevent cracking, but never heard about doing it on the oud.mavrothis - 9-5-2003 at 09:07 PM
that's probably just to give it a nicer flavor. lol
sorry, couldn't resist.Astrid - 9-7-2003 at 12:31 PM
The most important thing to prevent cracks is to take care, that the air humidity is not to low, as each wood will shrink in dry athmosphere and get
cracks. As much as I know, 50 % is ideal.Alan - 2-7-2005 at 12:08 PM
Very put oil on the face of your oud. It will kill the soundeliot - 2-7-2005 at 06:02 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Astrid
The most important thing to prevent cracks is to take care, that the air humidity is not to low, as each wood will shrink in dry athmosphere and get
cracks. As much as I know, 50 % is ideal.
Cracks on the back of the oud really aren't that big a deal. An oud drenched in rotting stinking olive oil is a much bigger problem!SamirCanada - 11-29-2008 at 07:41 AM
better to use lemon oil on the fingerboard in my opinion.
I put a little bit of lemon oil on a piece of rag. then I rub it on the unfinished fingerboard.
But you must be absolutely extremely careful not to put any on the face.
it will help prevent cracks in the fingerboard in my opinion.
since the bottom of the fingerboard is sealed under the glue and the neck and the surface is directly exposed to air.
make sure what you are using does not contain wax or silicone.suz_i_dil - 11-30-2008 at 02:24 AM
About oil for ney, it is the way to prevent moisture and crack but they are much more exposed to humidity than oud, because of the breath and saliva.shareen - 11-30-2008 at 05:16 AM
The best thing you can do for your instruments is to keep them in a climate controlled room with moderate temperature, a humidifier in Winter and a
dehumidifier in Summer (depending where you live). About 45-55% humidity is idea. I learned the hard way and lost a few instruments to cracks over
one winter. Do it now before it's too late. And NO olive oil!!!Dr. Oud - 11-30-2008 at 08:13 AM
You can protect the face with a light coat of egg white. Strain out the yolk and lumpy stuff, then brush it all over the face, wipe off the excess
and let it dry. It will not affect the sound and will help protect the face from drying out. Clean your hands before playing and wear a long sleeved
shirt or drape a cloth over the edge under your arm to prevent staining the corner. It's best not to use any liquid to clean the face. If you must,
use a soft pencil eraser from an art supply, and apply very lightly, not any pressure on the face.Donjis3 - 11-30-2008 at 09:46 AM
This is what I did .I cut off the toes part of a sock (white) and using it to cover my right arm..a tight one so it dont choke the strings at the
bridge! ,?Gratitude for the tips..Don!
Do not rub any type of oil on your oud at all. Period. If the sound board is
unfinished, keep the the oud in a dust free area when not playing it.