Xor
Oud Admirer
Posts: 4
Registered: 2-11-2016
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Questions about my oud
Hi, I just got my very first oud and I'm pretty sure something is wrong with the neck. I'm left-handed so I switched the strings, but one of them is
completely off (see pictures): it doesn't follow the neck line at all and as a result I can't play it. Is that something that could be fixed easily or
do I have to ask for a refund?
Thanks a lot
Pictures : http://imgur.com/a/JabCB
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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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I think the problem is not the neck but the position of the hole at the bridge.
It was probably OK strung the other way but is a problem flipped around. You should probably close up the bridge holes and re-drill them.
By the way, flipping your oud around means you should take out the first peg so it doesn't get in the way of your hand.
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Dr. Oud
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1370
Registered: 12-18-2002
Location: Sacramento, CA, USA
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Mood: better than before
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The neck is often set to align the top strings, but the bottom string may hang over the fingerboard as it is not fingered. This is the result of poor
workmanship in spacing the holes in the bridge to match the taper of the neck. Re-drilling the holes in the bridge is one solution if the alignment
isn't too far off. Before drilling the bridge, the old holes should be plugged with some round toothpicks glued in to prevent weakening the bridge
with too many holes. If the alignment is too far off, the neck must be removed and re-set, not a simple fix. If you can, return it and try to get one
with better string/neck alignment.
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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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A picture of the whole front of the oud may make it easier to tell what's going on.
It's possible that the neck is misaligned, it's possible that the bridge is misaligned. Certainly the bridge holes and neck are not aligned with one
another.
Most likely you can plug the bridge holes and re-drill (this is usually necessary with cheap ouds anyway).
If that isn't possible, you may be able to have the bridge removed and replaced in correct alignment.
If it is the neck that is way off, then it is not worth fixing—it's a complicated and expensive and usually not worth it except for a valuable or
important instrument.
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Dr. Oud
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1370
Registered: 12-18-2002
Location: Sacramento, CA, USA
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Mood: better than before
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Quote: Originally posted by Brian Prunka  | ...you may be able to have the bridge removed and replaced in correct alignment.
If it is the neck that is way off, then it is not worth fixing—it's a complicated and expensive and usually not worth it except for a valuable or
important instrument. |
Moving the bridge will affect the sound in indeterminate ways. If the bridge is centered in the face, or you like the way the oud sounds leave it
there, that's where it belongs. Resetting the neck would cost $100 - $150, and it won't affect the sound. If this is a low cost oud <$500, try to
return it as defective for a refund, and save for a better instrument. The cheap eBay ouds (made in Pakistan) are not worth fixing as their value does
not increase to cover the cost of repair. Most of them cannot be tuned either because of the inferior pegs. Replacing the pegs can cost ~ $200.
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Omar Al-Mufti
Oud Junkie
Posts: 333
Registered: 3-14-2012
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this is designed to have 1 C or F bass string up if you are a right-handed.
You would frequently see such a problem in many ouds.
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Xor
Oud Admirer
Posts: 4
Registered: 2-11-2016
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Thanks for the advice! I sent some pictures of the Oud to the company and the seller agreed that it had a problem (he even saw an other one when I
gave it to him). He offered me to exchange it for another instrument, so I got a new Oud right now with no problems this time (at least for the moment
 ) and I'm ready to start my exercises.
To Omar Al-Mufti, yes that's what I realized today. Now that I know, I'll be careful if I buy a new one.
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