Mike's Oud Forums

Where to buy in Iran ?

chaldo - 5-23-2008 at 09:07 AM

can anyone help me to find a santur and a Tambur in Iran? Also if someone knows where I can find professional barbat? thanks

John Erlich - 5-30-2008 at 12:22 PM

Two Older Posts on topic:

Iranian Ouds
Posted by Dr. Oud on August 28, 2002, 12:52 pm , in reply to "Re: Frustration"
15.252.0.76
I made a trip to Iran a few months ago and found a master luthier , who is in my humble opinion making the best ouds I've ever played or seen. His name is Mohammed Arafati and his number in Tehran is 011 9821 228-8054 (011 being the code for Iran, 9821 is the code for Tehran). His address was given to me in farsi and found by a local taxi driver.Please give him by very best if you see him. Bring an interpreter if you don't speak farsi. He's very articulate, educated and scientific about the design of his ouds, very friendly and engaging. He is a third generation maker, having learned from his father-in-law, who lived in Bagdad for many years. Another souce to find makers is Arselan Kamkar, a oud player of the Kurdish Kamkar family band. They have a school in Tehran at 3 Nakisa st. 3rd floorKavoosifar ave. tel 9821 873 5986 email info@kamkars.net. You'll enjoy the visit, I'm sure. I had a great time. Richard Hankey

Iranian Ouds2
Posted by Richard on August 28, 2002, 9:58 pm , in reply to "Take five!"
12.225.147.252
If you mean the medieval barbat seen in Persian miniatures, no. There is a guy in Azerbijan who makes replicas (ask udi Daniel). In Iran, barbat is used interchangeably with oud for the same instrument we know. I did see one small bodied - long necked oud in a small music store in the North of Tehran. The owner is Farshad, tel 271-4545. Do visit the Kamkar's school. Arselan plays oud, Houshang runs the place. They know everybody. check the post above. Another source is Darioush Saleri. He's a santur maker, but he knows Arafati very well and everybody else. In Tehran, tel 7899699. From out side Tehran, tel 09112329512.Forget the University, they won't let foreigners in. The best book and music stores are across the street from the University, however. In Shiraz there's a bazaar that's all music stores. Ask a taxi driver to take you there. Esfahan has good instruments, but I only found a couple small store scattered around downtown. I only had 2 days there. Don't be shy about asking anyone for help or directions. The people are the friendliest in the world and will go out of their way to help you. Enjoy!

chaldo - 6-8-2008 at 07:04 AM

Thank John, I'd like to thank you, I'll make to follow the advices. Salaoam