Mike's Oud Forums

Abou Selim Arbeely1930's oud builder

Andy - 12-29-2005 at 07:03 AM

Anyone know anything about Abou Selim Arbeely. I believe he made other "oriental" instruments in the 1930's. He built ouds in the South End of Boston which had a very high concentration of Greeks, Syrians, Lebanese, and Armenians not too far from the famous Club Zara where many oud players performed. I saw an oud recently made by this maker and am curious how many may own an oud built by him. The 10 stringed oud was not playable but could see that it was quality work, a bit smaller that the usual oud , 19 unembelished mahogany staves, the sound holes were a bit larger and the oud was light weight like Turkish type ouds.