Shipper
Oud Admirer
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Registered: 1-11-2010
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Beginner looking for economical Oud
Hi all,
I'm an experienced classical guitarist looking to try my hand at playing the Oud.
I'd like to order an entry-level instrument -- around $200-$300, say. Could someone please point me in the right direction?
Shipper
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Sazi
Oud Junkie
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Mood: مبتهج ; ))
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Are you serious?!?
For that price maybe someone could rip the frets out of your guitar!
Try here,
http://www.instrumentalsavings.com/Oud-s/235.htm
I've no idea what they are like to play, but they look like good ornaments for the price.
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ibn sina
Oud Maniac
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Sure, go to Mohammad Ali Street in Cairo. You can get a good beginner's oud for under $200. Or you could a couple of years ago.
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suz_i_dil
Oud Junkie
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From western countries it will be a difficult issue, try to wait for a second hand Sukkar oud, from time to time appears one in your price range.
As Ibn Sina said you will be more lucky if you seek directly in Egypt, there a few decent luthiers in this street but take your time and try...or in
Syria for exemple out of touristic shops.
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Aymara
Oud Junkie
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Hi Shipper,
it might be helpful to know, where you live ... a tip about Cairo doesn't help much, if you live in the US 
Some weeks ago a further guitarist had the same question, like me too last fall.
Look HERE, what we recommended to Itman ... he finally took the same route like I did and invested about 600€ to get a nice instrument ... that
avoids frustrations ... ouds for max. 300$ are usually only usable as decoration
I bet you will be the next guitarist, who will get infected with the oud virus ... since I have mine, I don't play guitar any more ... ok, that might
change again in the future, but playing oud is great and a lot of fun. So don't buy cheap junk ... only a decent instrument can show you how nice it
can be to learn oud. Imagine you have started playing with a horrible guitar ... would you still play guitar then? I bet not.
I think an investment of 500-600$ is needed to get a good oud.
Greetings from Germany
Chris
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John Erlich
Oud Junkie
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Hi Shipper,
I would add that buying a $200-$300 oud is generally not worth it. I doubt that price could buy you an instrument that wouldn't completely frustrate
you in 6 months (tuning pegs slipping, high string action, buzzing strings, dull tone, etc.).
If that is your budget, I recommend waiting and saving up. I think that you could get an INFINATELY better instrument, such as a Sukkar, for $600 or
$700.
Good luck!
Peace,
John
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mrkmni
Oud Junkie
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Dont lough at me Sazi,my oud is on your web page: second raw second column 269 $
However no maker, no mark no brand ,just anonymous instrument, or lets just say they hide it for taxation purposes ...
But for a biginner, I wouldn't say that it is horrible...
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Sazi
Oud Junkie
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I won't laugh at you if you don't laugh at me ...I used to have one of those
too!
Is that the one you showed with the 6 mm gap between strings and fingerboard? If so I would say it is horrible, but you make it sound good!
I had the opposite problem, it was too low... and very quiet with no dynamics
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mrkmni
Oud Junkie
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Yes, I have only one.
but biginner have other things to start with rather than playing in high zones....
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Sazi
Oud Junkie
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Yes I agree with you, it was better than nothing, it was ok for a while...
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Aymara
Oud Junkie
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Absolute beginners, yes, but with former guitarists it might be different.
For me as a former guitarist and bassist the action plays an important role ... everything above 3mm is an absolutely no-go for ME.
But I'm not the typical oud player, who plays arabian music ... I play Rock and try medieval tunes too ... and yes, I like playing at the end of the
fingerboard very much
In my oppinion such a cheap instrument is not the right decision for former guitarists and will very likely lead to frustration because of a
non-satisfying action and maybe tuning problems too.
Greetings from Germany
Chris
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Shipper
Oud Admirer
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Registered: 1-11-2010
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Thank you everyone, this is all very informative. I think, then, that I will aim for the $600-$700 range.
Quote: Originally posted by Aymara  | Hi Shipper,
it might be helpful to know, where you live ... a tip about Cairo doesn't help much, if you live in the US |
I'm from the United States - California
| Quote: Originally posted by Aymara | | Look HERE, what we recommended to Itman ... he finally took the same route like I did and invested about 600€ to get a nice instrument ... that
avoids frustrations ... ouds for max. 300$ are usually only usable as decoration
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http://www.oudsukar.com/en/products_oud_en.php
Is this what you meant?
Thanks!
Shipper
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FastForward
Oud Junkie
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Hey Shipper,
I have an iraqi oud for sale, I am in Los Angeles. The price is well within your range. U2U me if interested.
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Aymara
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1162
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Location: Germany / Ruhr Region
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Yes, Sukar ouds have a good reputation (good sound & adjustable neck), but it depends on the model. His Model 1 is the entry level and from what I
read on these forums, it has some downsides, which need to be worked on to be really satisfied, for example a varnished fingerboard. Just search the
forums for SUKAR. Many US people seem to order from Palmyrami ... you'll find reports about this dealer in the forums.
Also have a look HERE, which oud Igor (Itman) finally will get ... just for comparison.
Also check the Buy&Sell forum and maybe visit FastForward in LA to check his oud ... it's always the best choice to play the oud first before you
buy.
If you're patient, you should have good chances to get a good oud in the US without getting bankrupt
Greetings from Germany
Chris
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spyrosc
Oud Junkie
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Inexpensive oud
Shipper, I sent you a U2U
Spyros C.
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