Halima
Oud Admirer
Posts: 1
Registered: 12-7-2009
Location: Ann Arbor Michigan
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looking for first oud
I am looking for advice in buying my first oud. I have been a middle eastern dancer for many years and would like to take up the oud to provide my
dancer friends with beautiful melodies to dance to. I am a woman on the shorter and rounder side and think a smaller oud or one with a smaller bowl
would be better for me. I know little about ouds except that they sound beautiful, and that there are two main varieties, Turkish and Arabic. I
think I am more interested in the Arabic style but would consider a Turkish if I found it to suit me better. I would like a less expensive oud to
start to see if the oud suits me before investing a lot of money in something I may not use. Perhaps $200-$300?
What kind of oud should I be searching for?
Are there any trusted online sources?
I am very near Dearborn Michigan where there are a lot people from the Middle East, does anyone know any good dealers in my area or for that matter
teachers?
If a can examine an oud before I buy how do I know it is made properly?
thank you,
Halima
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Aymara
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1162
Registered: 10-14-2009
Location: Germany / Ruhr Region
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Welcome Halima,
a few weeks ago I had the same problem 
I doubt, that you will get a satisfying instrument for that price.
| Quote: | | What kind of oud should I be searching for? |
First I would check out, if Turkish or Arabic is the way to go. I started by visiting Youtube and searched for "oud" and listened to as many oud
videos as possible to find out, what sound I like most. First compare Turkish to Arabic ouds and if you should find out, that you prefer Arabic ouds,
try to find out the differences between the Arabic models ... fixed bridge versus floating bridge, Egyptian versus Syrian versus Iraqi, etc..
You could also tune a Turkish oud arabic, but it won't have the typical arabic deep bass.
BTW ... women don't need smaller ouds ... only childs
| Quote: | | Are there any trusted online sources? |
You could try Palmyrami ... they often sell Syrian Sukar ouds, which have a good quality and reputation. If you'll find out later, that the oud isn't
the right instrument for you, you would have no problem to sell it used for not much less money as you paid yourself.
But the price range starts at about 600$ (incl. hard case).
Another option would be to check the Sell & Buy forum, where you often will find very good instruments for a reasonable price ... that's the way I
chose and I didn't regret it.
Greetings from Germany
Chris
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jazzchiss
Oud Junkie
Posts: 217
Registered: 12-20-2004
Location: Madrid
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If you have short arms and little hands, you’ll be more comfortable with short scale ouds. This is not a minor matter. And for that budget, the best
option are Turkish ouds. You can search at ebay for ‘turkish oud’ but don’t expect a professional oud for less than 500$.
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spyros mesogeia
Oud Junkie
Posts: 896
Registered: 9-10-2003
Location: WASHINGTON DC
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My advice to you Halima is to get a smaller bowl oud and with string length 58,5 cm,
If I can help please inform me,it will be my pleasure
Regards from Gaithersburg
Spyros
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Aymara
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1162
Registered: 10-14-2009
Location: Germany / Ruhr Region
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It would be helpful, if Halima would tells us more about her anatomy ... body height and length of the arms and fingers.
| Quote: | | ... but don’t expect a professional oud for less than 500$. |
Such an instrument usually leads to frustration ... how many people reported tuning problems for example.
But there are sooo many threads in this forum with tips for buying the first oud.
Greetings from Germany
Chris
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Aymara
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1162
Registered: 10-14-2009
Location: Germany / Ruhr Region
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HERE you'll find tips, how to identify a good oud.
Greetings from Germany
Chris
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spyros mesogeia
Oud Junkie
Posts: 896
Registered: 9-10-2003
Location: WASHINGTON DC
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Mood: play my ouds
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I STILL BELIEVE THAT THE BEST FOR YOU IS TO START WITH A SMALER OUD.....TWO OF MY STUDENTS ARE 1,54 m AND THE OTHER 1,65 BOTH GIRLS.....AND WITH AN
OUD OF 61 OR 62 CM IT IS IMPOSIIBLE,THE POSITION IS NOT CORECT,AND THE POSITION IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE ANATOMY PROBLEMS.[I AM ALSO MEDICAL
DOCTOR].THE POSITION MUST BE CONFORTABLE.
REGARDS FROM MARYLAND
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alfaraby
Oud Junkie
Posts: 796
Registered: 9-18-2009
Location: Holy Land
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Sukkar makes 3/4 ouds as well for the same price
I think those would meat your needs
Good Luck !!
Yours truly
Alfaraby
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Aymara
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1162
Registered: 10-14-2009
Location: Germany / Ruhr Region
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My oud has a string length of 59cm, though it's arabic ... such an oud might be a good compromise.
But as I said before ... we know nothing about her anatomy, so we should be careful with what we recommend
Greetings from Germany
Chris
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