permanentnovice
Oud Lover
Posts: 20
Registered: 10-27-2011
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Little lost on risha/plectrum...
Hey, I've got my first oud in the mail coming to me and I don't have any picks for it. I've been trying to find some, but it seems like they range
from plastic pieces of junk to $20/pick cowhorn. Can anyone recommend a good plectrum for a starter and maybe a good place to buy one?
Edit: My oud is a sukar212. Not sure if that influences which risha would be best for it.
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ahmed_eissa
Oud Maniac
Posts: 50
Registered: 8-3-2011
Location: Columbia, MD
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Mood: Oud-y
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These rishas should be suitable. These are what I use. Pretty much suited for all around playing. Enjoy!
http://www.oudstrings.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=...
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Brian Prunka
Oud Junkie
Posts: 2939
Registered: 1-30-2004
Location: Brooklyn, NY
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Mood: Stringish
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Not just because it's my store, but I also recommend the Pyramid picks for beginners. They are inexpensive and more forgiving than cow horn.
Once you get more comfortable, John (Bulerias) makes good horn rishas that I and others enthusiastically recommend.
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Aymara
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1162
Registered: 10-14-2009
Location: Germany / Ruhr Region
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That's why I would recommend both for a beginner ... a Pyramid for the first steps and a horn risha too.
Nothing beats a horn risha. My girlfriend built me one from a piece of raw horn we bought at a medieval market. It needs some practice, but once you
get used to it, it's fantastic ... it sounds so much better than any plastic risha.
And it lasts "forever", if you oil it regularly, so I would even pay 20$, if it's a good one.
My tip for the thread starter: Use the search feature of the forum, you'll find tons of info about rishas, from homemade over Pyramid to horn and even
feathers. I myself got me a pack of turkey feathers from a craft supplies shop and like them very much, though they don't last long ... but they feel
great in my hand and sound very good ... no wonder, it's horn 
PS: It might be worth reading THIS thread regarding horn rishas.
Greetings from Germany
Chris
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bibo10
Oud Junkie
Posts: 300
Registered: 11-10-2008
Location: New Jersey, USA
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Mood: No Mood
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Like Brian and Aymara said, def get a horn risha from john vergara...his horn rishas are a plesure to use plus he makes it custom to your needs. Good
luck
+++++++++++
Michael-GOD BLESS EGYPT
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LeeVaris
Oud Junkie
Posts: 379
Registered: 12-16-2003
Location: Los Angeles
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Mood: oud lover
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I used to be on a quest to find the ultimate risha and I've tried everything imaginable, including horn rishas (which are wonderful), but really,
there is a huge variety of characteristics in natural materials like horn, or quills, or tortoise shell, and no two risha, even of the same material,
will be alike. Just remember, if you're like me and you have fallen in love with the perfect natural risha, you will be very upset if you loose it!
Rishas are a very personal thing, a big part of your sound on the instrument. Once you start zeroing in on the general characteristics for your risha,
hardness, width, flexibility, etc... see if you can't find a reasonable substitute in some more consistent artificial medium like plastic or nylon
that you can replace easily. I have a few treasured risha, horn and quill, that I keep safe but most of the time now I'm playing with a fairly stiff
plastic that I've shaped "just so." I can easily replace these and shape them the same way so I can keep several around at all times.
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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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fixingahole2
Oud Admirer
Posts: 9
Registered: 2-15-2011
Location: ny
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Mood: oudish
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I have many cow horn, and buffalo reeshas for sale. I prefer the cow horn, a bit brighter than the buffalo ones, but this is a matter of taste.
I agree that every Reesha is a different planet. Particular cut, thickness, shape, length, curve, color.
Really, each of these factor, makes the difference. Try make two exactly the same, and even them will sound different...
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