Peyman - 6-9-2008 at 05:54 PM
I have been working on this "flatback oud" for about a month, doing some research then putting it together. I decided to post some pictures of it here
for those interested. It's obviously sub-par compared to some of the projects on these forums but might interest the would be oud makers who might
look for something easy to start.
This is the first oud (or anything with this size) I have made and so far it's going ok. The rim is made and the neck is almost there.
As you can see from the picture there is a side rosette. I put a piece of cedar on the back of it for strengthening reasons but it was a mistake since
the grain ran prependicular to the side, when I routed the circles around it, they tore through and there is some chipping. I'll have to work on it.
The other problem the cedar caused was the pushing out of the side when I glued the side to the neck block for about 2 cm, as it didn't bend to the
contour. That shouldn't be a problem but would have been a problem for domed back.
Here are some info:
Fixed brdige, 5 courses,
String length = 61.5 cm
Neck = 27 cm
Body length = 46.4 cm
Body width = 29 cm
(dimensions are the same as a persian barbat).
Material:
Neck = black walnut (laminated)
Back and Sides = black walnut
blocks = mahogany
top = Western Red Cedar (braced with "Oud Construction" ratios)
More on it later, perhaps when it gets cooler in Maryland 
Peyman - 6-9-2008 at 05:55 PM
Another picture:
patheslip - 6-10-2008 at 08:07 AM
Please keep us posted when you can. Great project.
Dr. Oud - 6-10-2008 at 10:03 AM
Thw side hole is interesting in that modern classical guitar makers are using the side port to enhance the projection of the sound and provides a
direct path to the player.
paulO - 6-10-2008 at 04:07 PM
Hi Peyman,
The black walnut looks beautiful, and the side carved rosette's neat. Looking forward to the updates, and thanks for posting.
Regards..Paul
Peyman - 6-10-2008 at 04:25 PM
Thank you guys. I appreciate the interest. I need to work more cleanly though. Also, next time I'll buy the kerfings. It took me a long time to make
these by hand.
As Dr. Oud said, the side ports are used in some modern classical guitars, but I first noticed them on persian Setars and Tanboors. The makers put
small holes on the sides, like a monitor, to enhance the sound for the player and supposedly add more bass. Hope it works out for this oud.