Mike's Oud Forums

Help on research for new oud piezzo pickup

svetlin.staikov - 5-24-2024 at 11:13 PM

Me and my friends from KNA pickups are working to build a oud specific pickup and make it a part of their product line.
I am testing some prototypes and I am very impressed in the terms of preserving the tone, the dynamics and feedback resistance.
However, we have a huge problem with the fact, that there is actually no strict rule on the oud bridge size and profile.
So I would like to ask you for help.
Can you make some close-up pictures of your bridge and measure its hight, width, length, string hole distance from the top of the bridge or from the soundboard, is it flat or has some profile on the top?
We will appreciate any help, even just a picture of your bridge or instrument.
Thank you and may the music be with you!

Brian Prunka - 5-25-2024 at 10:38 AM

I've looked at these before and thought they were interesting, but noticed that the soomewhat rounded profile of the oud bridge might not quite work. It's a nice idea as a non-invasive pickup option though. I'll see if I can take some photos. Would be happy to test some prototypes if that's an option.

coolsciguy - 5-25-2024 at 07:29 PM

Quote: Originally posted by svetlin.staikov  
Me and my friends from KNA pickups are working to build a oud specific pickup and make it a part of their product line.



I actually tried my classical guitar KNA pickup on one of my ouds; although it was too short to cover the whole bridge, it still picked up vibrations from the lowest string (first string from top). The sound was better than I expected, though different from natural sound of my acoustic oud. The sound resembled an electric oud more than anything.

svetlin.staikov - 5-25-2024 at 11:19 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Brian Prunka  
I've looked at these before and thought they were interesting, but noticed that the soomewhat rounded profile of the oud bridge might not quite work. It's a nice idea as a non-invasive pickup option though. I'll see if I can take some photos. Would be happy to test some prototypes if that's an option.



Hi, Brian!
In our testing we found that the most important think appears to be the strong contact with the bridge and not the contact area. My oud has flat top on the bridge. Actually we had a chance to see just two more - here in Bulgaria this instrument is not popular. That is way it is so important to build some kind of database with different oud bridges, so really every picture, especially with dimensions, is of a great value!
Without a doubt at a later stage, when you have something more finished, we will need a couple of experienced players to test the prototypes and you will be in that list, thank you!

svetlin.staikov - 5-25-2024 at 11:37 PM

Quote: Originally posted by coolsciguy  

I actually tried my classical guitar KNA pickup on one of my ouds; although it was too short to cover the whole bridge, it still picked up vibrations from the lowest string (first string from top). The sound was better than I expected, though different from natural sound of my acoustic oud. The sound resembled an electric oud more than anything.


Hi and thank you for the reply!
Using a pickup on our beloved instrument will always be a compromise :-)
However, without it is almost impossible to get an acceptable result with the monitoring live on the smaller stages, especially if there is a percussion or a drum set in the band.
I have tried some piezzo and contact microphones, but nothing was even close to the sound I get with KNA. The dynamics are almost untouched, there are no bumps on certain frequencies, the feedback stability is unbelievable. So that is why I am so involved with this project.
If you have the opportunity, please make some pictures of you bridge and if you can measure the sizes. Thank you!

coolsciguy - 5-26-2024 at 05:23 AM

Quote: Originally posted by svetlin.staikov  

If you have the opportunity, please make some pictures of you bridge and if you can measure the sizes. Thank you!


Sure thing, can you please provide an email address?