fhalaw - 9-12-2009 at 03:34 PM
Hellz yeah,
First so all I want to than West and Mesault (the previous owners) for taking excellent care of this oud, it really is in remarkable condition. Here
are a bunch of pictures and some sound files..
YES i know i make a lot of mistakes and am not really in rythm but I was used to F-F tuning and this is C-C, although it is a lot of fun plucking the
Bass C, it threw off my F bass plucking skills since no longs is it the top chord! Whatever,
Also, how do you take care properly of the cedar top? I dont want the greenish dark areas where your arms wrap around or near the neck.
Here are the sound files:
http://www.4shared.com/file/132277692/83f041ec/nahwand.html
http://www.4shared.com/file/132278238/c6a0f8f2/samai_bayati.html
Here are the pictures: ( We have a good camera but not a good mic )
[file]11139[/file]
[file]11141[/file] [file]11143[/file] [file]11147[/file] [file]11149[/file]
fernandraynaud - 9-12-2009 at 05:17 PM
If you use a varnish on the soundboard, you mute the sound. That is what happened to the oud that the cat is holding, no wonder it sounds weak.
If you use an oil, it's much worse, it will sound like a slice of bologna. You have to use a brittle substance, and it cannot be water-soluble, or
your hands will stick. That leaves alcohol-soluble shellac. It's the standard on the soundboards of many many instruments.
You don't have to apply as many coats if you just want to seal it, but if you want that perfect gloss, it takes a couple of days or more. You have to
let coats dry and keep adding more.
You can use store ready-mixed "clear" shellac, but don't use the dark orange one or it will look horribly uneven.
Here's a quick generic demonstration of the technique:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXgirRVT-lA
Here's a VERY thorough luthier's demo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsGTJlLACYg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYSm9pEereg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rq7rqXn3Vgc
He says you can use lacquer on cedar with only slight impact on the sound (and he uses it on the back), but french polishing with shellac gives the
loudest and best sound.
Happy polishing!
katakofka - 9-13-2009 at 07:35 AM
Mabrouk Fadi
Get a sock (fardit kalseet) cut the top of it and wear it while you're playing and always have it on your right arm when you play the oud. In winter
time wear long sleeves while playing. You will keep the instrument having clean top.
similar to what Mavrothis is wearing on this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOelWUT7M_I&feature=channel_page
Marina - 9-13-2009 at 08:51 AM
مبروك
Microber - 9-14-2009 at 02:45 AM
Félicitations !
Ton nouveau oud est un des plus beaux que j'aie jamais vus.
Très classe, élégant, simple.
Je dois avouer que je suis un peu jaloux.
ps : j'utilise aussi la chaussette coupée, ça marche bien
Robert
SamirCanada - 9-14-2009 at 03:31 AM
مبروك !!
yatik el 3afieh
Also... wash your hands before you play so that they do not have oils on them... it will avoid the greenish stuff near the neck joint.
but also, the top being cedar is less subject to discoloration.
Christian1095 - 9-14-2009 at 07:17 AM
Looks beautiful.... I'm very jealous... and the price was fantastic.
fhalaw - 9-14-2009 at 08:33 AM
thanks everybody!
Really happy about it and will play with long sleeves and clean hands 
Yes the price was very right.
take care!
Mike - 9-14-2009 at 09:20 AM
Sweet oud...mabrouk!
But awesome looking cat! 
fhalaw - 9-14-2009 at 09:38 AM
lol thanks,
I just got this souvenir, it was the right size I had to take this retarted photo