Multi Kulti - 12-5-2007 at 04:51 AM
5-6 months ago i was very very lucky to find somewhere in (!!) Germany an old Armenian oud definitely not playable but with all the important parts
(face) in a very good condition.
With the help from Jonathan , Al-Halabi, Maran and zalzal it turned out that the oud was made from Hagop Kuchukian in Istanbul around 1902-1910 and
that Hadi Usta made a restoration around 1974. ( http://www.mikeouds.com/messageboard/viewthread.php?tid=5837#pid348... ).
The only thing that i had to do is to give it to a fine luthier to make the restoration. And the best person for a project like this i think is Tasos
Theodorakis with his big knowledge about antique ouds (his collection is unbelievable) and his well known talent (if you have played instruments made
by his hands you will understand).
Now im very proud to present you some fotos from the restoration and of course the finished oud.
I forgot to mention that the result was perfect...and the sound something i cant easily describe.Very loud and full.But you have to wait for a sample
because i want to experiment with different strings.
The oud is a Hanum Oud (bit smaller than normal turkish). String length 57 cm.
Before fotos :
Multi Kulti - 12-5-2007 at 04:59 AM
Back and pegbox
Multi Kulti - 12-5-2007 at 05:09 AM
He removed the rosettes to see under the face and he found some writing under the Rosette.
Ahmet Kaya was a) a Turkish neyzen and b) a very well known saz player and singer... We dont know what that means...
Multi Kulti - 12-5-2007 at 05:15 AM
Removed pegbox and fingerboard
Multi Kulti - 12-5-2007 at 05:19 AM
He removed completely the fingerboard (which was curly maple painted black as Tasos mentioned.And that was from a later restoration maybe from a
German.He decided to keep it)
Multi Kulti - 12-5-2007 at 05:27 AM
The next fotos are showing the back of the neck.He took out this plastik-thing (i think) that the oud had before and replaced it with a nice piece of
wood (cedar).
Multi Kulti - 12-5-2007 at 05:31 AM
Adjusting the neck
Multi Kulti - 12-5-2007 at 05:45 AM
Next step was to put back the pegbox and add a small filet where the neck joins the body.And of course to Fix the back of the oud.
Multi Kulti - 12-5-2007 at 05:55 AM
Next steps were :
a) to clean the body from the old finish and refinish it and
b)and to fit new pallisander pegs
c)put back the rosette and of course the strings 
Multi Kulti - 12-5-2007 at 06:10 AM
And of course the End-Result.
I want to thank Tasos one more time for his work and for his friendship.
I will post a sound sample when im ready with the strings
Nikos
P.S. sorry if i was tooo long but i had to post everything
paulO - 12-5-2007 at 07:24 AM
Fantastic transformation, and a very cool find ! Thanks for posting, can't wait for the sound sample. Enjoy it in good health.
Regards..Paul
Greg - 12-5-2007 at 07:27 AM
Nikos, let me be one of the first to congratulate you (and Tasos) on this wonderful restoration. I just loved the series of photos.
This is the stuff of dreams. What a find and what a great result. Thanks for sharing
Regards,
Greg
mavrothis - 12-5-2007 at 04:55 PM
Congratulations my friend! The oud looks beautiful, and for you and Taso to be saying how amazing the sound is, I have to wait with patience to hear
it for myself...
Taso did beautiful work, and you certainly deserve such a special instrument. Geia sta xeria sas paidia! Na' maste panta kala me tetoia organa sta
xeria mas.
I remember when you brought the oud to the workshop, so I feel a special connection to this instrument. I hope to see it in person this coming
summer! (Sto gamo...) 
Me ugeia!!!
mauros
Jonathan - 12-5-2007 at 06:21 PM
Nikos--I am so glad that the oud found its way to you, and to Tasos' skilled hands. It would be a terrible shame for an oud like that to be neglected
any further, which probably would have been the case if it were not for you.
Congratulations on your beautiful instrument, and thanks for the update.
Ronny Andersson - 12-8-2007 at 10:49 AM
Very nice and I need to collect my own oud at Tasos
spyros mesogeia - 12-9-2007 at 06:32 AM
Congratulations Nikola
I am really glad bro
Tassos is a great luthier.
He is also a very kind person too.
I am really glad for this instrument.
Regards to all
Spyros