DaveH - 12-23-2005 at 05:49 AM
So I'm an oud novice and am looking for information on the best way to buy.
I'm looking for a reasonable quality instrument so probably wouldn't just go for any beginners model. I already play the guitar and the renaissance
and baroque lutes so am becomming a bit of a collector, but love the sound of the oud, particularly taqsims. I found with the guitar it took me a few
years of 'not quite clicking' with my instruments to work out what type (action and tone mainly) suited my style. I'd like to avoid the same trial and
error process with the oud. Of course it's really difficult to know what style of oud I'll like but I find on recordings I prefer clearer, more
delicate tones, but with a healthy dose of that earthly, woody sound. I mostly prefer the sound and style of the Iraqui players. I don't know if this
helps or if these characteristics have more to do with playing style than instrument.
I may be spending about a month in Cairo next summer and wonder if people would recommend just going, taking a few lessons trying a few intstruments
and buying one there, or are you more likely to have to custom order a quality instrument in which case it might be better to do it from here. I've
often found buying second hand instruments is a really good way to go but without knowing exactly what I want I'm a bit scared to just jump in.
Please help!
palestine48 - 12-23-2005 at 07:34 AM
If you would like to save yourself a headache then get a shehata. If you are going to go to Egypt you can contact some people here, especially Mike
who is the administrator of the forum to help you pre-order and pick up the completed item. These are great instruments and just about everyone who
purchased one on this forum loves them.
You said you like Iraqi styles, I am not sure if you can find a true Iraqi oud in Egypt. An Iraqi oud is usually characterized by a floating bridge
and a short fingerboard in today's cases. I was told there is a maker in egypt who focuses on floating bridge ouds who goes by the name of marcos. I
have a floating bridge oud from egypt, I bought of an ebay store called nile shop. The admistrator is named Yehia and he also deals Shehata ouds so
you can contact him about ordering one. The maker is a company called Gawharet el fan.
Naseer Shamma who is an Iraqi player, I beleive has a school in Cairo, Egypt called beit el oud which means hose of oud. I am sure there are pople on
tis forum who are more familiar of this school.
Otherwise a gentelman from this board deals with Iraqi ouds of thats what your prefer. The three good makers in that category Ive been told are fuad
jihad, fawzy monshed, and yaroub fadel. fadels are extremely expensive so stick to the first two and I think Ronny can help.
Hatem_Afandi - 12-23-2005 at 07:35 PM
Hi Dave,
Welcome to the magical world of the oud!
I think your best bet is Maurice. Here is his contact info:
http://www.mauriceouds.com/english/contactus.asp
You can call him directly.
For Iraqi style ouds, I believe that Samir Azar can do a fine job too.
His webpage is:
http://www.samir-oud.8m.com/
He is a very good maker too.
They both speak good English and they are VERY honest and respectful luthiers.
You can discuss your preferences in terms of the type of wood used, the style, etc. Just make sure that you will get an instrument that you will feel
comfortable with.
Good Luck
Hatem_Afandi - 12-24-2005 at 08:59 AM
Hi Dave,
Our Friend Stefan is offering a good oud at a reasonable price.
I would have gotten it for myself but I have my own on order.
http://mikeouds.com/messageboard/viewthread.php?tid=3022
Merry Xmas,
Hatem
DaveH - 12-24-2005 at 06:26 PM
Thanks so much guys. I will follow up your leads and check back to see if anyone else has other advice. I'd be particularly interested in people's
opinions as to what determines tone on the oud.
Hatem, Palestine has already expressed interest in Stefan's oud so I'll give him first shot as he's been so generous with his advice.
Merry Christmas wa salamat.
Dave