stevepalmer - 5-11-2016 at 09:45 AM
This is a re-post of a post I made last week, which became lost in the server change.
As some of you may remember, I was looking for a maker of a left-handed oud. After making some enquiries here I commissioned Michael Moussa to make
one, and this oud I collected a week last Monday.
Michael welcomed me into his house with generosity and friendliness. We spoke about ouds, music, and the state of the world. Michael is an interesting
man, and we had a lot to talk about!
Michael had asked me to bring some of my instruments with me, so I played the bawu, hulusi, and a couple of flutes for him; also the North African
bendir hand-drum. I also brought an instrument which I thought was the Egyptian arghul, but in fact it is a midjweh! So Michael, when he visits Egypt
next, is going to locate a proper arghul for me.
If any of you are considering the option of having an oud made here in Britain, I can thoroughly recommend Michael. Save those pennies, then
commission him! You won’t regret it.
Steve…
stevepalmer - 5-11-2016 at 09:46 AM
Here is the info requested on prices:
http://www.magicstrings.co.uk/prices.htm
nile pirate - 5-11-2016 at 12:29 PM
What a beauty!!! another master piece of Ustaz Moussa. After the usual wow and congrats, I have 2 serious questions:
1. What does a left handed oud really mean, could inverting the strings make a left handed instrument, in one of his lectures Michael said it is not
that simple especially if the internal structure is not symmetrical
2. How did you manage to commission Michael to make this beauty for you ? as far as I know he has never made any instrument to order, he does not
commit himself due to lack of time and interest!!, we have just waited for his fantasies coming true which would alter our pre-set prejudices and
expectations
Enjoy it fully and play it in good health
stevepalmer - 5-14-2016 at 05:13 AM
Hi Nile Pirate!
When Michael and I spoke about the possibility of him making me a left-handed oud, he explained that only one which was symmetrical inside could be
converted. The Egyptian style is one such style. Other styles are not symmetrical inside, and can't therefore be converted. One peg has also been
moved in the peg box.
Michael has a number of half-made ouds, and the one you see in the photos above was in construction when I contacted him. He was able to carry on in
left-handed mode. (i.e. it could have been either left or right handed.) I paid £100 extra for all the fancy designs.