ALAMI - 1-6-2007 at 08:05 AM
I noticed a 2 year old thread on Adjustable truss rod for the oud.
and Lectric was right it is also done by Fadi Matta in Zouk - Lebanon.
For those interested to see how it looks, I am attaching pictures.
Its real purpose as explained by Fadi is to "change Mood".
When bringing the strings closer to the neck the sound is mellow and more suited for "Low volume Playing" it is also a lot easier to spend hours
playing in this position, all you need is a small fingers pressure and you don't get tired. Bringing the strings higher brings a louder and sharper
sound more suited for concert and recording but also more demanding finger muscles effort.
It is so nicely done that you don't need to re-tune when adjusting height
samzayed - 1-6-2007 at 10:53 AM
Hi Alami, this oud is similar to what Charbel Rouhana has been using for the past few years. How is the action adjusted on the oud? From the bridge
side or the thing behing the neck (third pic)?? Also, can you tell me what is the string length on this oud?
I do like the sound of Mister Fadi Matta's ouds. Charbel's sounded amazing, especially when I saw him play it in person at the retreat in 2005.
Jameel - 1-6-2007 at 11:23 AM
Very interesting. Can you explain how it works?
ALAMI - 1-6-2007 at 11:30 AM
You are absolutely right this is the same oud used by Charbel Rouhana in concerts and studio recordings.
The strings length is 60 cm and attached is how to adjust the height.
How it works inside is up to Fadi Matta or you luthiers to explain
alex-nozh - 1-6-2007 at 01:08 PM
very interesting. it's work like anker in electric guitars?
zalzal - 1-6-2007 at 01:27 PM
Is metal allowed on oud ?
ALAMI - 1-6-2007 at 01:35 PM
I am not an expert, but what I understood from the maker is that Wood-continuity is what it counts and the metallic half ring is here only to
protect a moving part and as you can notice the knob does not touch the wood
Hosam - 1-6-2007 at 02:05 PM
Alami, any idea what is the neck wood? Does the neck stay straight when the knob is turned?
The purpose of neck truss rod is to adjust the neck to correct upbow or downbow (if the truss rod is two-way adjustable). To rise or lower of the
string height to adjust the action I think it should be done at the bridge not at the neck causing fatigue for the neck wood. I was also wondering
what kind of force is needed to turn that knob. Usually a tool is required to adjust the truss rod.
Just my thoughts.
ALAMI - 1-6-2007 at 02:34 PM
As shown in the pic above,
First I push the neck gently backwards (by pushing on the nut), this "releases" in a way the knob, and I just turn a few degrees in one direction or
the other to make an upbow or downbow, no force needed at all and no tool but the impact on the strings distance with the fingerboard is substantial.
maybe the metallic bracelet is here to relieve the stress on the neck.
I don't touch the bridge.
I don't know if Fadi Matta is willing to give more informations about his technique, he is a very nice guy I will ask him.
Jason - 1-6-2007 at 10:39 PM
Doesn't the knob get in the way when you play in upper positions?
ALAMI - 1-7-2007 at 03:17 AM
The knob is just 2-3 mm out of the neck it is perfectly circular and you forget its existence, and as the hand position when playing in upper position
is more "rotated" I never feel the knob, I keep it most of the time on lower position because it is easier to play but when playing with others or
when recording I "upbow" it and the sound is sharper and louder
samzayed - 1-7-2007 at 04:11 AM
So are there 2 specific postions "high" and "low" for the action, where the position locks into place? Or, is more smooth, raise or lower it as you
wish?
ALAMI - 1-7-2007 at 08:29 AM
No there are no marked positions, the rotation of the knob is continous but the usable range is about a quarter turn and if you go further the
strings would touch the fingerboard or become too far from it, to be able to turn the knob,the neck should be pushed (as per pic above- step1) and
then you turn the knob with the other hand when you release the pressure on the neck (on the nut level) the knob becomes locked
Melbourne - 1-9-2007 at 04:45 AM
Interesting though the question of tuning, I would have thought that when you heighten the action, you put more pressure on the strings, hence the
tuning would end up higher, even if only just and uniformly.