Mike's Oud Forums

Basic floating bridge

grassgrowsblue - 5-17-2007 at 01:21 PM

I recently received an old oud that will require lots of work. This is my first oud, so excuse my lack of knowledge on the subject. I believe the oud requires a floating bridge. It seems that i can find all the replacement parts that I need, but I cannot find a website to purchase a bridge. I was wondering if anyone knows where I might be able to purchase one. Or, if not I will carve a bridge, but I am not sure what would be the best wood to use. I would assume ebony, but, I do not know where I can purchase such wood. There is a local lumber yard down the road from my house that i might be able to get a small piece to carve for a bridge. Any responses would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Chad

oudplayer - 5-17-2007 at 01:33 PM

hey chad
welcome to our family glad yr here. ok can u post a pic of yr oud so we an help you and tell you what we know.
thx sammy

grassgrowsblue - 5-17-2007 at 04:28 PM

Ok Sammy, here are the pics of the oud, i believe the oud was made by a company called foad, and it was made in Baghdad. Hopefully the attaching the picture worked.
Thanks,
Chad

bridge

hamed - 5-18-2007 at 10:18 AM

I made a replacement floating bridge out of Maple wood, which is fairly easy to find. It has a better sound that the prevoius bridge of mahogany. I don't know what oudmakers use but i'm going to experiment with woods like rosewood and ebony.

PS. you may have a oud made by foad jihad, he made excellent ouds.

grassgrowsblue - 5-18-2007 at 03:40 PM

Hey,

I just found a website with pictures of the exact same oud that I own. Here is the link. Could anybody tell me of possible value of this oud.

http://www.varis.com/Oud/FoadJihad/index.html

Thanks,
Chad

foad jihad

hamed - 5-18-2007 at 04:32 PM

I know they can be bought in Iraq for $300-$400, in a US market you may be able to get $600-$700 for it, maybe more depending on the sound, wood, and condition.
Where did you get this oud?

hamed

grassgrowsblue - 5-18-2007 at 04:52 PM

I got the oud from a guy that is in my Dad's band, it was sittin in his attic, he did not want it. He heard that I restore instruments, so he just gave it to me. It definately need some work, there is three cracks in the bowl part, and a small crack on the face above and below the pick guard.

Chad

excentrik - 5-20-2007 at 11:47 PM

you got something there man- take it to a real deal luthier- I'm serious- thats a nice oud-

tarik