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New Syrian "Khalefa" Oud! [w/ pics] - label translation needed

arsene - 7-3-2007 at 06:35 AM

Hi everyone.... Just got my new oud, came all the way from Saudi Arabia... Was shipped very fast and packaged very well (thanks, Fadel!) !!

It's supposedly made in January 2007 by a certain "Kalefa & Sons"... but maybe one of you can get a closer look at the label and translate it:

Label

Allright, here are some pics:

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As you can see, it's an iraqi style oud. Does this mean I have to use special strings and tune it the iraqi way? Or can I just use regular Arabic strings?

amtaha - 7-3-2007 at 09:22 AM

Ouds Factory
Mohamed Khalifeh and Sons
Telephone 4632689
Made: 31st of January, 2007
Syria, Damascus, Jwair, Amayra

Nice looking oud!

Regards,
Hamid

p.s. Arsene! Is there any living space in your house? There are wires and scisccors on keyboards and .. stuff!

arsene - 7-3-2007 at 09:27 AM

Thanks Hamid!

Well, not much living space, with 3 ouds, 2 spanish guitars, 1 dreadnought, 1 cobza (romanian oud), 1 mandola, 3 electric guitars, 2 keyboards, a couple of romanian flutes, some percussion, some recording equipment... and er, a bed!

michoud - 7-3-2007 at 09:57 AM

Congratulations arsene!!!
Beautiful oud!
What wood is the back of the oud?

arsene - 7-3-2007 at 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by michoud
Congratulations arsene!!!
Beautiful oud!
What wood is the back of the oud?

I'd like to know that too!

P.S. I won't put it on my stony roof again

Ronny Andersson - 7-3-2007 at 12:59 PM

Quote:

l]

As you can see, it's an iraqi style oud. Does this mean I have to use special strings and tune it the iraqi way? Or can I just use regular Arabic strings?

You can use any tuning you like but you need strings for the mensur your oud has. I would recommend Pyramid lute strings but you have many options.

Jason - 7-3-2007 at 04:14 PM

That's a really great looking oud. How's it sound? I really like Aquila's on my Iraqi style oud but the Pyramids would be great

Lintfree - 7-3-2007 at 11:22 PM

Great little oud. I'd use a high F tuning. Start with .019's on the top (first course).
Any kind of moveable bridge setup has an ideal downward pressure from the strings used. At a point if the strings are too heavy they will restrict the top from vibrating. That's why they use those really light strings on Selmer style Django guitars. In this case I think lighter is better but............................man makes plans and God laughs.

arsene - 7-4-2007 at 09:42 AM

Yeah, I've tuned it to F CC DD gg cc ff, with the strings that were already on it. Sounds awesome. I'm gonna try the lute strings when the time comes. There is room by the way for 13 strings (7 courses)! But I think I'll stay with 11 strings for now.

How does it sound? Well, it sounds swell! Light, but with body. It really has that new-Iraqi sound (think Shamma, Raed Khoshaba). Very soft and pleasant. I'll upload a soundfile as soon as I get out of the swamp that is work, school & other responsibilities...!

Anybody know what kind of wood the back is made of? Could it be walnut?

Lazzaro - 7-4-2007 at 11:26 AM

Alf mabrouk arsene, very fine oud, simple and elegant. I think that with the curved soundboard is confortable. What is the scale length? 57cm?
best regards maurizio

excentrik - 7-4-2007 at 01:45 PM

hey arsene-

mabrouk, congrats- that oud is BINA BINA!!

guys- did the Khalifeh factory finally start listening to us? that Oud is a beauty, I hope the sound matches the design-

tarik

nayoud - 7-4-2007 at 01:52 PM

Hi
I can only translate the label, it says:
"Ouds Factory
Mohamed Khalifa and Sons
Tel: 4632689
Date of Manufacture 31st January 2007
Syria Damascus juber (or joeir) imadiyyah"
Congrats i hope you enjoy it

Melbourne - 7-5-2007 at 02:14 AM

Nice looking oud...

I wonder if the Khalifeh brothers or cousins have finally decided to get their act together? or is this from an entirely different company. Ali and Mohammed related? They pic of the guy looks the same as the one on the Ali Khalifeh ouds...

Anyone knows anything about these ouds?

arsene - 7-5-2007 at 03:45 AM

That's what I was wondering as well - is Mohamed Khalifeh related to the other Khalifehs? Is it a coincidence: yet another Syrian oudmaker named Khalifeh...?

Anyway, thanks everyone for your nice words & comments.

Anything about the back? wood type?

fadel - 7-6-2007 at 01:00 PM

hi

arsene

how are you

thes wood for bake from syrin walunt

I desain thes oud

thes oud maker son kalefa ( ZAHER )

thank

arsene - 7-7-2007 at 02:10 AM

Hey Fadel,

I'm fine thanks!

Thanks for the info on the wood & maker. Very nice design!

Hope you're doing fine too.

All the best!

-A.