Christian1095 - 4-30-2009 at 02:28 PM
I've seen a couple of posts on here about getting ouds from his shop... and while I know a number of folks had asked Mike to help them in the past or
ordered from NileCart... I had a really hard time finding posts to talk about their experiences. So I figured I would share mine.
I was a little hesitant to order an oud from overseas, but I read the post below and that made me feel more at ease.... I certainly understand that
stuff happens... but I think how the maker responds when there is an issue that is critical.... To see this end happily gives me more
confidence....
http://mikeouds.com/messageboard/viewthread.php?tid=6269#pid37565
Also, I think it's important to note that a number of the 1000+ posters on the forum have bought ouds from Mr. Shehata and the post above was the only
time I've heard of someone having bad luck. So that's another big point in their favor....
At any rate.... Once my mind was made up... I contacted Mike via U2U and started the conversation... Mike has been extremely helpful thus far and I
really appreciate the help... Really quick response time and it took us only a few emails to work out the details and get work started...
As I get pics from Maurice, I'll post them up here on the site...
Christian1095 - 4-30-2009 at 02:30 PM
So here's what I decided to go with.... I'm really drawn to the more simple designs... And while I really like the ornate stuff, it's just not me...
but I figured that since I was going to order a custom oud, then I should have at least a little bit of flair, so I went in for the calligraphy
shams...
Christian1095 - 4-30-2009 at 02:33 PM
Also, I'm excited about the pickups he's installing.... Here's what I got from Mike about them...
He does make ouds with a sweet pickup setup. One pickup per course behind the bridge kind of deal, similar to how Najarian sets up his electric
ouds, but on a traditional oud.
So I should be able to give a review once she arrives.
Christian1095 - 5-8-2009 at 10:52 PM
Here's the bowl...
Christian1095 - 5-8-2009 at 10:53 PM
Another Shot
Christian1095 - 5-13-2009 at 08:32 AM
Prepping the bowl for eq and some soundboard work....
Luttgutt - 5-13-2009 at 02:00 PM
I am gelous 
SamirCanada - 5-13-2009 at 04:26 PM
ooohh aaaahhh
this one is gonna be a stunner!
enjoy it Chris, you diserve it 
Danielo - 5-14-2009 at 06:24 AM
Hi,
that's a very nice classic design !
hope you will soon have it in your hands
Dan
Christian1095 - 5-21-2009 at 06:45 AM
Update.... almost there....
charlie oud - 5-22-2009 at 04:06 AM
Looks lovely Chris, all the best mate.
Won't be long now....
Christian1095 - 5-27-2009 at 06:03 AM
Almost there....
[file]9260[/file]
Reda Aouad - 5-27-2009 at 10:02 AM
Mabrouk for you as well
I am definitely waiting to hear your future Shehata !
Hope you enjoy it !
Finished Shehata Oud
Christian1095 - 6-8-2009 at 09:39 AM
Here she is just prior to shipping....
[file]9540[/file]
Christian1095 - 6-8-2009 at 09:41 AM
Front and back
Reda Aouad - 6-8-2009 at 10:14 AM
MABROUK MABROUK !
Hope you enjoy it well !
And let us enjoy with you a sound file as soon as you get it 
charlie oud - 6-8-2009 at 11:23 AM
Very nice Chris, Congatulations and look forward to hearing what you make of her compared to the Sukar.
Oud Freak - 6-8-2009 at 11:40 AM
Nice work! Hope you enjoy it and play for long long years!
myeyes2020 - 6-8-2009 at 11:51 AM
Congratulations in advanc on your Shehata oud! You will enjoy it as I have mine. For anyone who may be interestested, I will be selling my Shehata
oud Padoulk with three sound holes. I just received it in February 2009 and decided that I want to upgrade to a different design with pick-up. I'm
not quite ready to sell yet but hope to have photos and sound clips up soon.
I have a soundclip but not quite sure at the moment how to post it.
In the meantime, if anyone is intetested at the moment, you can contact me direct at myeyes2020@aol.com
Christian1095 - 6-19-2009 at 10:36 AM
Mailman left a note on my door yesterday... So this AM I went and picked up the oud from the post...
As a caveat, I'm way to excited to give a proper review... but I'll share some first impressions....
Oud was sent on Monday -- Postman tried to deliver on Thursday.... So really quick turnaround on shipping.
Oud was inside of case and mummified in bubble wrap... The hard case that Maurice provides could probably take a bullet and still protect the
instrument... it is REALLY strong....
I changed the strings... to give a quick plug to Jameel at Khalaf Oud... they got here in 2-3 days too... Always super fast shipping...
The instrument is beautiful... The action is really sweet... plays well... Though at this point, I'm still just noodling while the strings
settle.... but the sound is really nice...
One thing that I did want to talk about was the pickups.... THEY ARE AWESOME!!! THE BEST I'VE HEARD YET!!! - My two Sukkar ouds both have K&K
twinspot piezios in them... These pickups are FAR superior.... It's the same sort of setup as my Sukar electric oud - only better --
I'll try to figure out how to play directly into the pc so I can share with everyone once the strings calm down....
Also, MIKE was incredibly awesome from start to finish... he answered all of my dumb questions and gets back to you at light speed... Thanks man! You
rock!
Any rate, I'll post more later....
francis - 6-19-2009 at 12:29 PM
Hello.
You really get a beautiful one, and from Maurice's workshop sure the sound is good as the aesthetic......
I'm impatient to hear your soundfile........lucky man.
Could you give us the price , Chris? Here or by u2u.
Francis
Mike - 6-20-2009 at 01:49 PM
Hey Chris,
Congrats buddy. Glad the new baby arrived safely. Looks nice. Thanks for your kind words my friend. Always happy to help...
Take care & enjoy!
mike
charlie oud - 7-6-2009 at 01:01 AM
Hi Chris,
Wondering how you are finding the Shehata?. I know we both have a Sukar.
At the recent UK oud meet 2009 I spent a while playing Owain's Shehata, its a lovely sound, different from my Sukar but again, another classic Arabic
sound. Hope you are enjoying your new oud.
Christian1095 - 7-7-2009 at 05:31 AM
Hey Charlie,
So far I really like the oud. It's got some different qualities from my Sukar ouds though...
1. Neck width is a bit more narrow.
2. Action is a little lower
3. Bowl isn't as deep - so it's not as loud - but it's more comfortable to play.
Your right, it does have a different sound, but I don't know how to describe it yet... the Sukar ouds sound louder and the tone is more strong...
the Shehata seems softer....
The biggest difference that I've noticed so far is that it's a LOT easier to play up the neck with the Shehata oud. The Sukar will do the job, but I
always feel like the notes are a bit muted... With the Shehata oud it seem like I'm getting some more sustain.... However, that could just be an
issue of technique... But if so, the Shehata seems a bit more forgiving of bad playing....
The pickup on the shehata is nothing short of AWESOME.... Its really resistant to feedback and does a good job of picking up the sympathetic
vibrations from the other strings -- which is my biggest knock on my Sukar electric oud.
I'll try to get a sound clip up within the next week or so... I've been out of town and have inlaws visiting this week, but I'll try to get something
up soon...
MatthewW - 7-7-2009 at 08:59 AM
congratulation Chris on your new oud from Maurice. Can you tell us anything more about what pickup system you had installed? play it long and in good
health!
best, MW 
charlie oud - 7-8-2009 at 02:17 AM
Hi Chris,
Yes, I found the Shehata I tried a little quieter than my Sukar and the string spacing closer at the nut end. Interesting what you say about
the higher register. I rarely go there.
I love the sound of both Shehata and Sukar. The question of volume triggers a lively debate but I noticed at the UK oud meet that volume means
something, not quite sure what? May be it simply gives more presence? . I know now, having become well used to my Sukar, that I would find it
difficult to go back to a quieter oud. Though I'd never say never and may consider a Shehata in future as I love both makes and their rootsy sound.
Thanks for your appraisal.
Ararat66 - 7-8-2009 at 09:49 AM
Hi Charlie
I think the volume only becomes fully beneficial if the full tonal range is there (if the oud is skillfuly braced etc) and that there is a depth,
complexity and balance to the sound quality. Then the volume can reveal subtleties that would otherwise not be heard, but also that playing quietly
is possible also.
So I think volume is important but like anything else can be a 'shallow' effect unless the oud, and don't forget the player, is up to the mark.
Just my thoughts
Leon