Mike's Oud Forums

Sandwich Top Oud Project

farukturunz - 11-25-2007 at 11:51 PM

Forum members will recall that Jameel Abraham made a beautiful oud in late 2006, using Nomex to construct a "sandwich top" oud. I first became aware of this material, when I saw it being used for the construction of classical guitars by luthiers like Matthias Dammann, Fritz Mueller and Gernot Wagner. I had been considering trying it on an experimental oud, so I was very interested in Jameel's project. A few months ago, I started some experimentation of my own and used graphite composite sheets for bracing the soundboards. I interposed the graphite composite sheets between two balsa welts using epoxy. I used epoxy also for mounting nomex between two Canadian Red Cedar plates.

The sandwich plates became perdurable against humidity and temperature changes up to 60 degree Centigrade. There is no probability for getting cracks unless being heavily hit.

I made some Turkish and Arabic ouds with sandwich tops and the sounds of these ouds outran the sounds of all my previous Grand Concert Ouds.

farukturunz - 11-25-2007 at 11:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by farukturunz I used epoxy also for mounting nomex between two Canadian Red Cedar plates.

farukturunz - 11-26-2007 at 12:01 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by farukturunz
used graphite composite sheets for bracing the soundboards.

farukturunz - 11-26-2007 at 01:15 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by farukturunz

I made some Turkish and Arabic ouds with sandwich tops


This Oud's double soundboard was covered by five thin layers of shellac. It has 6 double courses and tuned as (from down to up):

f- c - g - d - b - f

abusin - 11-26-2007 at 01:54 AM

Mr. Faruk,

this is a fantastic creation, very elegant beauty to look at and I am certain it sounds great.
as we await the sound file I would like to congratulate you on another master piece and I would like to enquire about Arabic ouds with the same application (sandwich top) and if you have any pictures and sound files, availability and pricing.

Thank you very much Mr Faruk for sharing,

Awad

Mike - 11-26-2007 at 01:56 AM

Wow...what a beauty Usta Faruk! Thanks for sharing your experience and results. I'd love to see more pictures of your work in your workshop. These are truly my favorite type of threads. Keep up the good work.

farukturunz - 11-26-2007 at 02:05 AM

Hello abusin and Mike,

Thank you for your esteemed comments on my work. Abusin, I will put information dealing with availability and price of this category oud at my website soon.
I am just trying to prepare a recording but it seems to take some time.

Kind regards,

Greg - 11-26-2007 at 02:49 AM

Congratulations Faruk, this is great news. I will be very interested to hear the difference between these new ouds and your regular Grand Concert oud.
Would it be possible to record two sound samples, one from a regular Grand Concert and one from the sandwich top oud, both of similar dimensions?
I know this is a big ask, but it will really give forum members the opportunity to make a direct comparison.

In some ways, I am kinda hoping the difference is not too profound, I don't know that I can afford another FT Grand Concert just yet :)

Regards,

Greg

farukturunz - 11-26-2007 at 03:45 AM

Thanks Greg,

I will concentrate on recording two sound samples like you propose in the coming days to give forum members the opportunity to make a direct comparison.

Regards,

farukturunz - 11-26-2007 at 03:48 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mike
I'd love to see more pictures of your work in your workshop.

farukturunz - 11-26-2007 at 03:51 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mike
These are truly my favorite type of threads. Keep up the good work.

SamirCanada - 11-26-2007 at 06:53 AM

oh wow... very nice usta Faruk.
looking forward to hear this beauty

paulO - 11-26-2007 at 01:50 PM

Hi Faruk,

I second Samir's thoughts...just dazzling ! Thanks for sharing.

Regards..Paul

Jameel - 11-26-2007 at 06:59 PM

Beautiful work Faruk! I'm excited for your great results. To surpass all your other grand concert models must be very exciting for you. I can only imagine how nice these sound, especially the Arabic model. I, for one, am looking forward to hearing some samples of the sound.

mavrothis - 11-26-2007 at 07:31 PM

Beautiful work Mr. Turunz! I can't wait to hear them.

Thank you for sharing your work and the building process with us.

Take care,

mavrothis

farukturunz - 11-26-2007 at 11:55 PM

Many thanks to SamirCanada, PaulO, Jameel, Mavrothis and hello to all!
I am trying to arrange an ambient with some "critics" and oudmasters in my workshop to have the ouds played and evaluated. I will record the session. Stay tuned:xtreme:

Bracing system ?!

Oud.Proff - 4-4-2008 at 11:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by farukturunz
Quote:
Originally posted by farukturunz
used graphite composite sheets for bracing the soundboards.


Dear Osta Faruk,

What a great work of art. The sound quality is really impressive, not to mention the stunning beauty of your newly made ouds I've seen.

I have a question regarding the bracing: is it my eyes looking at the picture from an angle, that I see the 3rd brace (from the left) a bit tilted -on purpose?- and not made parallel to others?

I'm asking this because I saw tilting of braces in some old Iraqi ouds made by the late Mohammad Fadel and others as well !

All the best

farukturunz - 4-5-2008 at 10:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Oud.Proff I see the 3rd brace (from the left) a bit tilted -on purpose?-


You are absolutely right, dear Oud.Proff

Kind regards...

journeyman - 4-6-2008 at 09:03 AM

History will record a small number of names from your generation Mr. Turnuz as being exceptional oud builders. Yours will certainly be on the list. Beautiful work!

Roy

farukturunz - 4-7-2008 at 06:35 AM

Thanks to the ascertainments and evaluations made by people who are appreciative of merit like you Mr. Patterson, many of names from my generation are being recorded here and there, as having contributed to this art. I must admit that your remarks sound quite exhilarating to me, as an oud maker who would never tend to leave submission and humility.
Best regards.