Knafeh - 12-9-2016 at 03:52 AM
Hello,
So for the past few years I've been dabbling with the idea of picking up and learning to play the oud, and I've finally actively started looking for a
Syrian/shami one. I've found a few ouds but as I'm new I'm somewhat lost. I'm listing the Syrian ouds I found below (those in my price-range at
least). Also, if anybody knows where I can find a good Syrian oud in the UAE or is selling one themselves please let me know! 
)
So far I've been able to find 3 Syrian makes of Syrian ouds here:
1) Ali Khalifeh
As I understand it he died several years ago and most of the ones sold with his name now are either low-quality ouds made by his nephew who took over
the business or fakes, so I'm cautious about ouds sold under his name, but correct me if I'm mistaken.
Two options:
a) I saw one for 1000aed (270usd) which I don't think had a certificate, will post a photo soon.
b) I am viewing another one tomorrow. I will update about it here.
2) Ibrahim Sukkar
I've been able to find two ouds by Sukkar. One certified but used one that someone I know offered to sell for 900aed, and another, unused one for
750aed (200usd) which I am going to view tomorrow (don't yet know if it has a certificate).
3) Al-Sharq
I've been able to locate one made by "al-sharq", does anybody know anything about that company?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated! 
NOTE: I've checked Music Chamber in Dubai, as well as the shops near Fish roundabout but I've only been able to find
Egyptian, Turkish, Iraqi, and Bahraini ouds. I have not checked Abu Dhabi yet.
NOTE 2: I've also found 2 highly ornate alleged Ali Khalifeh ouds in two different shops in Sharjah, both for around 2000aed (545usd); outside of my
budget but I thought I'd mentioned them in case anybody was interested.
Omar Al-Mufti - 12-9-2016 at 07:47 AM
1- The old Ali Kahlifa ouds sound nice and they are big in size. As you said, there are a lot of imitations out there. His grandson Ali Khalifa, the
owner of two oud workshops, Zeryab and Dimashqi, makes good ouds, especially the classical models of Zeryab line.
2- Sukkra is the first oud maker who standardized his ouds. Ther quality is very good and you can sell it later quickly.
3- I don't know this.
My advise, go for Model 212, 213 or 7 made by Sukkar. Zeryab is also very good if you pick a classical model "Shami 1 or so"