Mike - 11-29-2005 at 02:49 PM
I've been meaning to do this for awhile now, but just never got around to it. Here are some photos of the newest family members. 
I'll put up more detailed photos soon on the My Ouds page soon.
The palisander oud I got before my trip to Egypt last month. The ebony, floating bridge oud I brought back with me last month. Both are unique in
regards to their sound. If you watch the video of Samuel you can hear the ebony oud. I would say it has more sustain and volume than the palisander
oud. I asked Mo to not finish the face on the palisander oud, but when I received the oud I was too afraid to keep it like that. So I had Rufi
(Richard Barnes) refinish the oud for me with a beautiful amber finish. I think it gives the oud a totally old school look, which is what I was going
for with that oud to begin with. The ebony oud has the newer type poly finish Mo has been using for a few years now on it. I personally prefer the
old, traditional french polish finish. Mo, as usual, did a great job on both ouds, and Rufi did a killer job with the refinish of it.
Mike - 11-29-2005 at 02:56 PM
Here's a picture of the palisander before Rufi refinished it for me.
Elias - 11-29-2005 at 03:44 PM
Dear Mike,
Best wishes for the 2 new family memebrs!
these ouds looks great and i love xpecially the Pallisander one,you're right the Amber finish gives to it an old style look!
hope we could listen to a sample also about it....
Mabrouk my friend, enjoy playing these new beautiful ouds
salamat
elias
Jason - 11-29-2005 at 05:22 PM
I love the look and sound of the ebony oud. Makes me look forward to tax returns next year 
Sorry if I missed it elsewhere but who are the makers of the ouds?
Sidi - 11-29-2005 at 05:23 PM
Alf Mabrouk Mike,
Enjoy them in good health and everlasting prosperity bro.
-SidiM
revaldo29 - 11-29-2005 at 05:30 PM
Hey Mike,
Congratulations on the new ouds. Is the last picture of the pellisander oud without the finish? I notice that it had a more orange color in the
first pictures. Is that due to the finish or just lighting?
I love the sound of the ebony oud! It seems a little strange to me though to make a Iraqi oud all ebony, especially with a floating bridge. I
always thought Ebony wood gives you a very rich, bassy type sound while the floating bridge gives a brighter sound. Strange combination but sounds
magical.
take care,
Adnan
samzayed - 11-29-2005 at 07:12 PM
Mike, alf mabrouk man! Inshallah tit'hana feehin.
I was just curious, what is your opinion of the floating bridge on the ebony? Specifcally, is it still a Fareed-esque sound like your other ebony?
palestine48 - 11-29-2005 at 08:11 PM
Whoaahhh. you can totally see the difference on the pallisandre with and without the finish. the finish does give it a beautiful vintage look. Did
Rufi also polish the bowl or is that maurices work?
georgeous ouds!
SamirCanada - 11-29-2005 at 10:01 PM
Bravo.
Beutifull ouds Mike. Congradulations and thanks for showing us your new babies.
Do you think we can get to hear that Nahat copy? what do you think?
spyros mesogeia - 11-30-2005 at 12:36 AM
Hey man,I think that you are really happy now
Regards to all
Spyros
mavrothis - 11-30-2005 at 06:25 AM
Congratulations Mike, these ouds are beautiful! Alf Mabrouk!
mav
Mike - 11-30-2005 at 08:00 AM
Thanks everybody!
Jason: They were made by Maurice Shehata.
Adnan: The oud is not an Iraqi oud. It has a 61.5 cm scale length, but just has a floating bridge.
Sam: I still prefer a stationary bridge, but this oud just sounded too good.
Ramy: Yeah...he refinished the bowl too. I'll try to get a picture of the bowl before it was refinished up after work.
Samir: I'll try to get a sound clip up soon.
Take care guys,
Mike