Reda Aouad - 2-14-2009 at 09:06 AM
I have a question about fingerboards which extend over the soundboard. We all know that the soundboard is the part that vibrates in the oud. To what
extent does and an extended fingerboard affect the vibration of the soundboard? And what is the effect of other parts on the soundboard as well such
as the pick guard for example?
Alioud - 2-14-2009 at 12:02 PM
Reda,
An extended fingerboard will reduce the vibrating surface area of the soundboard but the loss is not very significant in a well made oud. It is
nonetheless optional. It wouldn't improve your playing, but it would definitely keep your soundboard clean if you play higher octaves particularly
with ebony fingerboards which will stain the soundboard black and ugly. Indian rosewood do not stain, so this is your choice if you don't want an
extended fingerboard.
A bone nut generally improves clarity but a wooden nut can mean more sustain. Rosewood and ebony are good nut materials.
The pickguard is a usually a wood veneer (or just a sticker these days with cheap ouds)... The area in front of the floating bridge is usually a dead
spot.. It does not vibrate much. As long as you keep your pickguard small and very very very thin.. this is negligible. Larger pickguards will
definitely interfere with the soundboard vibration.. Fadi Matta makes really small veneer pickguards.
Besides, an Oud without a pickguard is really ugly.
Cheers.
Reda Aouad - 2-14-2009 at 01:20 PM
Once again you show me your expertise in such subjects 
I would definitely not own a professional oud without an extended fingerboard.. it's just a matter of not staining the soundboard which gets really
ugly. And regarding the nut, I have read on this forum that a bone nut is better since it maintains its original shape, while the grooves on a wooden
one could change shape and affect the wound strings. I don't know much about it but this is what I hear from most people.
Thank you again
Alioud - 2-14-2009 at 01:32 PM
Actually an ebony nut is stiffer than bone... ( I cut both Gabon ebony and bone.. the the saw is much happier about bone than about ebony. Ebony
blunts the saw quickly!)
But, that's a minor thing we won't disagree about.
Most people use bone.. and the difference is very minor unless you really mind the very small details.
Good luck with your oud.. and Fadi is a great humble person.