Hi to all on the forum. I've been through the FAQ's and it seems this forum has seen many people like me. I am a beginner looking for an oud. I love
the sound of the arabic oud and I've emailed Navid and he has been wonderful in answering my questions. I have never played an instrument before, and
am totally new to this. I've been having a look at some ouds online, mainly on ebay and arabicinstruments.com. I would appreciate any advice you have
on the following ouds:
Sukar ouds are nice too but getting more and more expensive. They are fetching close to custom oud prices now days so I would almost say it could be
worth saving for something made to your tastes. Brian Prunka - 9-9-2015 at 03:51 PM
I've played a lot of Sukars that were better than custom ouds by famous makers I won't name. Not as pretty, but better sound.
My apologies for overlooking the Mauriceshop, excellent choice.tkmasuda - 9-10-2015 at 10:56 AM
MoPAT, last month, I was you! I just wanted to check out an oud, but had trouble finding someone nearby with an instrument to try, so I ended up
buying one.
My short advice: If you're in the US, with a limited budget, check out the Mauriceoudshop apprentice ouds. Communicate with Mike, and figure out which
one will work for you. Buy new strings and rishas and instruction books in advance, so you can get to know the instrument right away, and understand
Mike's return policy. Mike is accessible, reasonable, and straightforward. Your total cost will be under $500, which was my budget.
That's what I should have done, but I went the eBay route. The problem is, with the variables of bidding, the seller, shipping, and associated damage,
you don't really know what you're going to end up with, and you don't know what your final cost will be. With my oud, after all the repairs and
restoration, I'll be overbudget by a few hundred dollars. That was my cost just to try the instrument! Lucky for me, it turns out that I love the oud;
if I did not, I'd be really crabby right now.
It's great that you've been communicating with someone from the forum. I had a lot of advice and support from new friends here, too -- esp.
journeyman, Mike, and SamirCanada. The forums with performance clips can really take you on a beautiful trip into the music of the oud, too.
Good luck, and let me know how things go for you!Alfaraby - 9-11-2015 at 01:18 AM
Oh Samir !
This is what I gladly call Arabic Oud: balanced, deep, bassy, playable.
If you ask me, I'd put HQ rosettes, so that it would look as good as it sounds.
Show us the bowl if you please.
What exactly have you done to this oud that you called "repaired" ?
Yours indeed
Alfaraby SamirCanada - 9-11-2015 at 02:36 AM
One of the ouds which was sent to a student in Canada arrived with a scratched finish on the back. MIke sent a new oud to the student and this one was
sent to me.
The work is actually scrapping the old varnish, and reapply a true-oil varnish. That's it, the oud is with a student now. I actually considered
leaving the varnish but I am not a fan of the glossy spray on lacquer they use. This is standard now I guess.
Rosettes would be nice. Yes also I am thinking they are trying to make a difference between their more expensive ouds and these. You know for the
money I am think to get one as well to take it on picnics and other informal gatherings where children are around MoPAT - 9-29-2015 at 11:32 AM
Hi guys thanks for all the suggestions and help. I'm sorry for the late reply. I took the plunge and went for the oud from arabinstruments.com...and
now my oud journey begins
