Mike's Oud Forums

Easiest woods to work for the bowl.

Jonathan - 12-1-2005 at 01:01 PM

I am nowhere near finishing my first oud, but I am always looking around at wood, and thinking of good choices for another oud project.
Any thought on which woods are easiest for the bowl? I know, I know--a lot of you have no trouble bending wood. But, for my next oud, I want to stick with some easy wood. How is mahogany? Walnut? Wenge?
I have some old old old redwood--I am guessing that that wood is not ideal, but if anybody knows differently, please let me know.
Thanks

Jameel - 12-1-2005 at 02:41 PM

Walnut and Mahogany are easy to bend. The harder, denser the wood, the more it takes to bend it. Wenge? Good luck. That stuff is like iron. Daniel Franke once told me that historically oud bowls were made from coniferous wood, cyprus being one. So your redwood might be an interesting experiment. But it won't be nearly as durable as a hardwood.

Jonathan - 12-1-2005 at 03:30 PM

Thanks. On the Oud Project Forum, Doc mentioned that mahogany is just as stiff as maple (it was a discussion about use of wood for the neck). If mahogany is relatively easy to bend, maybe it is not a great choice for the neck (although, I think, a lot of old ouds do use mahogany for the neck) because it might bend under prolonged tension from the strings. I am still leaning toward using maple for my neck, but that is another thread.
If anybody else knows of any easy woods to bend for the bowl, I appreciate the input.
Thanks

Dr. Oud - 12-1-2005 at 04:02 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Jonathan
Thanks. On the Oud Project Forum, Doc mentioned that mahogany is just as stiff as maple (it was a discussion about use of wood for the neck). If mahogany is relatively easy to bend, maybe it is not a great choice for the neck (although, I think, a lot of old ouds do use mahogany for the neck) because it might bend under prolonged tension from the strings. I am still leaning toward using maple for my neck, but that is another thread.
If anybody else knows of any easy woods to bend for the bowl, I appreciate the input.
Thanks

While mahogany is relatively stiff when used in thick sections like for the neck, it is also easliy bent in thin crossection like the ribs. The same is true for maple (straight grained). Any nut wood like beech, or fruitwood like plum & pear or lemon are also easily bent and locally available. I think the rule is use the local wood, and walnut is the most common wood on the planet except for the conifers. Redwood is used for guitar soundboards, but I dunno about ribs, maybe too stiff. You don't see any spruce backs, now do ya, huh? I would test any wood by bending a thin piece until it breaks. If it breaks fairly straight across, fer get it, it's too short grained. If it won't break unless you jump on it, fer get it, it's too stiff. If it bends a lot and then breaks with a splintery jagged edge, use it. For the neck, pay attention to the grain direction - it should be perpendicular to the fingerboard, and laminate a center stringer to resist warping and bending.

Jonathan - 12-1-2005 at 05:03 PM

Thanks, guys.

bending wood

sydney - 12-1-2005 at 05:57 PM

Hello Jonathan,

Re: bending the wood.

I thought you my other lovely friends would be interested in seeing some photos of my new 7 course oud.

Enjoy ... !

more ...

sydney - 12-1-2005 at 06:00 PM

Jonathan - 12-1-2005 at 06:03 PM

Wild. Who is that by?

Andy - 12-2-2005 at 08:33 PM

wow! What kind of wood is used for the back and fingerboard?

Wood

sydney - 12-3-2005 at 12:08 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Andy
wow! What kind of wood is used for the back and fingerboard?



Hello Jonathan and Andy,

It is made by Abdo Dagher. I am not an expert in wood types but I am sure experts like Richard "Dr. Oud" or Hank can tell.

I am glad you liked it.