Ararat66 - 11-17-2006 at 08:44 AM
Hello folks
Iam looking to get a new oud, I want to upgrade from the semi-pro haluk oud I have got now and am looking at the possibilities for buying next year
sometime.
I like the sound of Faruk Turunz but also is Peter Kyvelos still making ouds - they sound amazing. I probably want an oud with an extended sound
board but wondered if this alters the sound or not!!
I am also thinking of Nazih Ghadban, they sound very resonant and rich - the finger board seems wider and this may well suit my fingers better.
Any other suggestions and advice would be gratefully received. Iam in the UK
Thanks
Leon
Amos - 11-17-2006 at 09:37 AM
Hi Leon,
Yes, Peter is indeed still making ouds, and they are of superior quality and beauty. His shop in Belmont, Massachussetts is called Unique Strings,
and the phone number is 617-489-1254. He will be happy to discuss ouds in general with you...he is extremely knowledgable and a true master
luthier.
Good luck,
Amos
Alexandrosd - 11-17-2006 at 09:39 AM
Helllo Leon,
I'm waiting for my new oud by Faruk Turunz. I have also asked him to use an extended fingerboard.
I 'll provide you photos and a sound clip till I receive it at the end of November.
I hope that I 'll help you.
See you around...
Alexandros
Ararat66 - 11-17-2006 at 11:57 AM
Good stuff - really helpful
Cheers
Leon
Jason - 11-17-2006 at 01:13 PM
I don't think an extended fingerboard changes the sound in a negative way. It makes notes more even across the fingerboard because you're not moving
from the fingerboard wood to the face wood.
I have a Ghadban bashir style oud. It sounds really really good and has excellent craftsmanship. It looks like you prefer Turkish style ouds, I have
not played any of his shorter scale instruments. I don't know if he makes his 58.5cm ouds smaller all over or if the scale is just shortened by
moving the bridge. Many non-turkish builders just move the bridge to change the scale length.
I've heard nothing but good about Turunz' instruments. Good luck with the decision 
Let me know if there's anything I can do as far as taking pictures or sound samples of the Ghadban
mavrothis - 11-17-2006 at 01:32 PM
Hi,
You should contact Dimitris Rapakousios as well. He makes amazing instruments also.
www.dimitrisouds.com
mavrothis
paulO - 1-9-2007 at 01:54 PM
Hi Leon,
When Viken Najarian re-faced an oud of mine, he used and extended fingerboard, and it sounds just fine. I had been a staunch "don't take any wood away
from the face" advocate, but this changed my mind. Merjanian used to use a small piece of holly as a fingerboard extension to cover the area under the
top two strings. This worked really well, and kind of preserves the look of the top.
Regards..PaulO
Ararat66 - 1-10-2007 at 03:08 AM
Thanks folks
I am seriously considering a Faruk Turunz grand concert oud and will opt for an extended and slightly wider finger board - I am going for all I can
afford. I feel ready to step up a gear as my playing although still young is improving a lot - funny how you progress all of a sudden sometimes.
Have a good day
Leon
zalzal - 1-10-2007 at 01:43 PM
Fm a press release past november on USAToday
..."Handmade ouds at Kyvelos' shop, Unique Strings in Belmont, Mass., start at $6,000."
Jonathan - 1-10-2007 at 02:06 PM
Do you have a link to the full press release?
zalzal - 1-10-2007 at 02:07 PM
Hope it works
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2006-05-11-iraq-week-oud_x....
Jonathan - 1-10-2007 at 02:25 PM
Thanks!
excentrik - 1-10-2007 at 07:39 PM
hey ararat66-
I can fully vouch for Mr. Ghadban. His design, feel, sound and materials are all amazing- definitely my favorite oud Ive ever owned-
tarik