Jameel - 12-18-2008 at 06:17 AM
I'm once again offering these fine strings from our friend Hank Levin at MusiCaravan.
There are two sets, one assembled to Necati Celik's specifications (he uses these very strings on his ouds), and another set (made of the same
strings) with a more common tuning. Both sets are on-par with Pyramid lute and other high-quality strings.
The latter set can also be used for Arabic tuning on longer scale ouds (61cm+).
The best part is the sets are a very reasonable $15! Try to get a set of Pyramid lutes for that. 
Check them out here: Necati and MusiCaravan strings
I'll even throw in some Mizrite or Talonite pick blanks with each order of these strings until January 1.
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I'd also like to get some input from everyone about strings in general.
I'm trying my best to offer a good selection of strings for oud. I want Khalaf Oud to be your source for strings. Period. So please let me know if
there are any other brands of strings that I should be carrying. And I'm not talking about cheapo strings. I'll only carry quality products. So give
me your feedback here. Thanks!
charlie oud - 12-18-2008 at 06:56 AM
For what its worth Jameel heres my feedback, the sets you currently provide have good track records. You offer friendly and helpful advice and good
prices. I've yet to try d'adario and the latest set you now stock but probably will in the future. I find Most Arabic sets too heavy for Arabic ouds
so now use only Turkish sets tuned to Arabic. I know others also do this but dont know how many. It maybe an idea to stock Turk gauge in all makes if
you dont already and also to make more of the fact that Turk sets tuned to Arabic are a preferred choice for some, perhaps many, I dont know. Savarez
are another set I've tried and they were ok but like Pyramid lute strings they're a bit overated and definately over priced. Look forward to hearing
more from members on the new sets you offer. Thankyou for your string services and Im sure to give your Music Caravan sets a go in 2009. Charlie.
jaron - 12-18-2008 at 05:40 PM
my sukar model 14 is strung with the necati celik set, but with with PVF strings (also from hank levin) on the top two courses
when i first got to know the sukar, i was using pyramid strings, and that was fine, but now the oud has really come alive -
it's incredibly deep and wonderful
if you have a long-scale oud like a sukar, the musicaravan sets are very much worth trying- i found i needed to use the pvf trebles in order keep
balance, because the bass courses were so intense
(the musicaravn strings aren't right for all ouds- on my shorter-scale nahat/merjanian, the nylguts bring out much more expressive range)
Christian1095 - 12-19-2008 at 07:43 AM
Hey Jameel, I just ordered a set of the music caravan strings.... so I'll give some feedback... BTW, you are indeed my source for strings... Your
customer service and quality will keep me coming back.....
Melbourne - 12-19-2008 at 05:52 PM
Jameel...
Khalaf Oud is the source for oud strings!
I'm always up for trying new strings. In terms of new strings to try...I guess there's Kurshner and Tomastik, but then again it depends on how easy
it is to get hold of them, and how versatile they are for tuning.... I know you used to carry pyramid lute strings....I never tried them, but a lot
of people seem to go on about them.
Suprise us
Jameel - 12-19-2008 at 07:16 PM
Thanks everybody. Your feedback is very very useful! Keep it coming.
SamirCanada - 12-20-2008 at 09:01 AM
Khalafoud.com
its hands down the best source out there for strings.
I haven't bought strings anywhere else ever since you have launched Jameel.
Keep it up!
Christian1095 - 12-23-2008 at 12:15 PM
Put the music caravan strings on last night... I'm really used to the Aquilla Nygut.... so initally they feel really loose in comparison to the
Aquilla's... but I think that might be more my inexperiance than anything else... Oud string length is 62 cm....
It will be a few days before the strings stretch out... but so far I really like the tone... and the strings themselves are really smooth and
responsive under the fingers.... much more so than the Aquilla's....
I'll try to post a video after the holidays for a sound comparison....
charlie oud - 12-23-2008 at 02:08 PM
This is a fine thread for all of us because the more opinions we gather the greater the range of sound we'll come to understand. Strings can make such
a difference to the sound. Some barely do on a given oud when others deliver brilliantly. If in doubt Jameel is ya man. C