Mike's Oud Forums

Sound of seven-course ouds

Danielo - 1-9-2009 at 01:19 AM

Hello everyone,

I am thinking of moving to a seven-course oud some day, as I don't like playing high on the neck (sound-wise and comfort-wise).

I am wondering if, because the bracing needs to be stronger in order to
withstand the higher string tension, the sound is somehow modified compared to a standard six-course oud (with a fixed bridge in both cases)

many thanks!

Kelly - 1-9-2009 at 01:02 PM

Hi Danielo

I have tried a couple of 7 course ouds by Micheal Moussa. I ended up buying one and it has an excellent sound. Sometimes the extra course of strings confuses me a little but only when I look at my fingers when I play!
Micheal tells me he modified the bracing and shortened the string length slightly to get a better bass repsonse. The body and top is larger and probably needs different bracing, however I'm not sure if the tension is significantly increased by the additional 1 or 2 strings. Maybe an experienced luthier could advise.

please send me your email or U2U and Ill post some pics/sound files.
I can't manage to get the sound files to fit on this post.

try the thread on Moussa Ouds also.

All the best

MatthewW - 1-10-2009 at 09:11 AM

Salut Danielo

I have a 7 course oud, made by Nazih. I find having that extra course very very useful, not only for the traditional Arabic/Turkish/Armenian repetoire/idiom, but for playing in other musical idioms as well. I think if the oud is well built, then an extra course will cause no structural problems.
I have a 58.5 scale length. You can hear/see it here- I'm trying to play in a raga style, it's recorded using a mobile phone only:
http://www.mikeouds.com/messageboard/viewthread.php?tid=8548

shareen - 1-10-2009 at 11:31 AM

I just received a 7 course oud by Lebanese builder Fadi Mata. It's a floating bridge and it's a wonderful addition to my other fixed bridge 6 course ouds. Adds a whole different set of colors. Also considering that I am a new player, if I don't have to play on the upper keyboard on the first course as much, so I am not so out of tune anymore!! I received the oud in only 3 days! Charbel Rouhana plays the same oud. Check it out

jass - 1-11-2009 at 01:24 AM

I think this is a 7 string...

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=q7etDp94r10

no?

jas

farukturunz - 1-11-2009 at 02:22 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by jass
I think this is a 7 string...

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=q7etDp94r10

no?

jas


Hello Daniello, Kelly, Mathew W, Shareen and Jass,

It is the Turunz-Tawadros Signature Model and has seven courses.

Please watch this too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnP-mdkeOPE

I made this seven courses oud for Ahmad Al Khatib five years ago.

Regards

jass - 1-11-2009 at 02:55 AM

Its an awesome instrument by Turunz, played amazingly by Tawadros!

What a combo!

Rock on!:xtreme:
jas

MatthewW - 1-11-2009 at 03:06 AM

Quote:
Quote:
Originally posted by farukturunz


Hello Daniello, Kelly, Mathew W, Shareen and Jass,

It is the Turunz-Tawadros Signature Model and has seven courses.

Please watch this too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnP-mdkeOPE

I made this seven courses oud for Ahmad Al Khatib five years ago.

Regards






Dear Usta Faruk,
Is Ahmad Al Khatib playing the JT signature oud in the video clip, or another 7 course oud that you have made for him? If it is another, what the specs on this model please?
Very good sounding oud, and Ahmad is such an amazing player!
regards, MW

farukturunz - 1-11-2009 at 03:53 AM

Quote:
Quote:
Originally posted by MatthewW
Quote:
Originally posted by farukturunz








Dear Usta Faruk,
Is Ahmad Al Khatib playing the JT signature oud in the video clip, or another 7 course oud that you have made for him? If it is another, what the specs on this model please?
Very good sounding oud, and Ahmad is such an amazing player!
regards, MW


Dear Mathew W,

I made the JT Signature Model in 2007 as a special design for Joseph Tawadros. J and T are his initials.
I had made Ahmad Al Khatib's oud on Ahmad's special order two years before that one, in 2005.
You can see the pictures of a very recently made 13 stringed oud in my blogspot:
http://farukturunz.blogspot.com/2008/11/13-string-pommele-sapele-ye...

Regards

Danielo - 1-12-2009 at 01:13 AM

Dear Master Faruk,

this 13 string oud on your blog is awesome! I actually dream of having my instrument made by yourself, in the same style (although my playing would not yet desserve it).

Dear Kelly, Shareen, Matthew and Jass,

thanks for your feedback. I see that there are several very nice 7 course oud designs around.. I think I am convinced by the concept! (Kelly, I send you a u2u)




Dan

farukturunz - 1-12-2009 at 03:15 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Danielo
Dear Master Faruk,

this 13 string oud on your blog is awesome! I actually dream of having my instrument made by yourself, in the same style


Dan


Hi Dan, I sent you a U2U

Regards

JasonM - 1-13-2009 at 09:44 PM

Hi Dan,

I have a 7 course oud made by Faruk (actually it's the one pictured on his blog site). I decided to go with a 7 course oud and I haven't regretted it for a moment.

The oud that Faruk kindly made me actually feels lighter and more responsive than my 6 course oud (which is also a quality oud). So there is definitely no compromise in sound with a 7 course oud - actually it's the opposite because it really opens up your possibilities!

Feel free to send me a U2U if you want to discuss further.
Regards
Jason