Jonathan - 2-20-2009 at 07:58 AM
For anybody who hasn't seen it, I've been working on a website for the past few years that attempts to document all of the significant Armenian oud
makers.
http://www.varjouds.com
Most were based in Turkey/the Ottoman Empire, but they span just about every country where ouds are made. Lebanon. Syria. Armenia. The United
States, and on and on.
Karibyan. Der Bedrossian. Keresteciyan. Merjanian. You get the idea. I think I have about 70 makers listed so far.
The reason for this post is that I am asking for any picture submissions so that I can add them to the site. There have to be a bunch of you that
have Karibyans, or Der Bedrossians, or other interesting instruments.
I think the pictures really help to create a data base of known examples of a maker's work. By comparing known examples, we can determine what is
original/not original on other instruments that come to light. It's also just a nice tribute to the makers.
I could post the pictures anonymously, or use your name if you would like.
Finally, I am desperately looking to purchase any oud made by Sam Varjabedian, an oud maker in Detroit from approximately 1920 until 1963. He was my
grandfather. If you have one and don't want to sell it, I would still love to be able to see pictures of it.
Thanks.
journeyman - 2-20-2009 at 09:47 AM
I'm always on the lookout for you Jonathan, but we don't see many ouds up this way. I don't know how many your grandfather built, but one would like
to think that there are a few in attics in the Detroit area that are intact. Good luck and if I ever do see or hear of one I'll contact you for
sure.
Roy
spyrosc - 2-20-2009 at 01:21 PM
Jonathan
I referred that San Francisco lady to you after I identified her Najarian.
Didn't that work out for you Jonathan?
Spyros C.
Jonathan - 2-21-2009 at 04:44 AM
Thanks, guys.
Yeah, Roy. You're probably right. I know several of his later ouds made it to the St. Louis area, but probably there are more than a handful in
Detroit still. I am fairly sure that the number he made must have been a bit over 100. Thanks.
Spyros, thanks. That did work out. I added pictures of her oud to the site.