We're visiting Egypt soon. I'll have several days on the ground in both Cairo and Luxor.
I want to visit a quality, non-tourist luthier with an eye towards seeing builds in progress, Q&A, and perhaps a purchase of a good quality
student Oud, accessories, and a quantity of instrument-grade camel bone for general lutherie in my home shop.
I want to avoid "tourist" Oud shops. I want to visit a quality shop with quality instruments.
What I'm hoping for, is a few names, locations and advice. I read somewhere that good Oud luthiers could be found along Mohammed Ali Street in Cairo.
I have a reliable contact there that says that is no longer the case, but doesn't have alternatives, yet.
I'll be working with a trusted tour agency and they will take me where I want to go with a driver and guide/translator.
If anyone can help with this quest, I'd really appreciate it!Brian Prunka - 7-29-2021 at 09:45 PM
Hi Chaz!
Mahmoud Mustafa and Maurice Shehata are both well-respected luthiers in Egypt.
If you send me an email I can put you in touch with a friend in Cairo who would likely be happy to introduce you to luthiers and maybe even show you
around a bit.
Mahmoud Mustafa and Maurice Shehata are both well-respected luthiers in Egypt.
If you send me an email I can put you in touch with a friend in Cairo who would likely be happy to introduce you to luthiers and maybe even show you
around a bit.
[url]https://brianprunka.com/contact
[/url]
I would recommend taking up Brian on his generous offer. It would be very helpful to have a local contact.
I presume Brian's contacts will know about them, and others.
Good luck!Chaz - 8-7-2021 at 01:11 PM
Thanks guys, that's some awesome info.
It also puts thing into perspective. The luthiers mentioned might be good to visit, but from I can glean from the rsvps, so far, even a student-grade
instrument may be out of reach $$$-wise. I'd be looking for something in the 4 - 5k EGP. We'll have to see.
It would still be fun to visit a working Luthierie in Cairo. I'm a novice luthier and I'd love to see how Ouds are made.
I'd still like to get locally sourced Egyptian camel bone, too. It's highly prized for guitars saddles and nuts.Jason - 8-7-2021 at 01:28 PM
I think you'd have a hard time finding anything more than a shop made student instrument for $300 USD in Egypt nowadays. In that price range Turkish
ouds, regardless of tuning, tend to be a better buy in my opinion.Chaz - 8-7-2021 at 02:53 PM
I think you'd have a hard time finding anything more than a shop made student instrument for $300 USD in Egypt nowadays. In that price range Turkish
ouds, regardless of tuning, tend to be a better buy in my opinion.
Well, maybe an Oud purchase in Cairo just isn't in the cards, which is kind of a bummer. On the other hand better to manage expectations - it would
be embarrassing, at least, to go to all the trouble to visit a luthier with a mind to buy, only to not have enough money.
