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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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Nahat Family saga
I recently received some email from Guilherme Nahat, who is the grandson of Jorge Abdo Nahat. Jorge is now 97 and not well, but Guilherme has been
responding to my questions about his family's history. He says they left Syria in 1959 and that Jorge made his last oud in 1979. No one else in the
family has made an oud since. He sys his father considered Abdo the best maker in the history of the family's oud production. They are indeed living
in Brazil, but this is as much as I had learned. He has promised to send me pictures of ouds, and perhaps some family photos as well. I'm hoping to
get more information without prying too much, but what a thrill to make this contact. My obsession with the Nahat family's ouds apparently has been
fruitful. I plan to add a page on my site with the family's story, and so am asking the forum members to send me any info or stories about their Nahat
knowledge or experiences.
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Jameel
Oud Junkie
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Richard,
This is great news. What a discovery! I really look forward to more info on the Nahats. I think I'm as obsessed with them as you! What do you think
about that "new" Brazilian "nahat" from the 80's that we all know, given your new information? I encourage you to start a website for them, a sort of
on-line museum for the Stradivarius of ouds.
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Mike
Super Administrator
Posts: 1568
Registered: 12-3-2002
Location: California, USA
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Mood: Happy
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Hey Doc,
That is great news. It is excellent that you were able to get in touch with the family. I know there is some confusion with the lineage of this great
oudmaking family. Hopefully your dilligence will be able to help clear it up for us all. Looking forward to seeing this thread develop into something
great.
Take care,
Mike
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Chris_Khouri
Oud Junkie
Posts: 183
Registered: 7-13-2004
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Just wondering
I wonder how much time it takes to make one of the these round things in the middle of the ood. (Called shamseyyeh in Arabic). I can't remember the
name no matter how much i try. lol
Chris
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Alan
Oud Junkie
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Location: Tampa Bay Florida
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Hey Doc,
I look forward to the results of your research. I long to learn more about the "old man in the oud". That is what I remember as a child looking
into my father's oud.
Be well,
Alan
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Dr. Oud
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1370
Registered: 12-18-2002
Location: Sacramento, CA, USA
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Sidi
You know him and I'm sure most of you admire his work:
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I think I recognize Qasabji playing with Umm Kalthoum on the Tunis satellite tv channel Saturday nights. Or is that Sombati?
As for making Roses or Shamsiyeh(sp?) I have made one in as little as 6 hours, and as long as 3 days (20 hours) They can be laser cut in about 30
seconds for about $30-$40. The one on the Qasabji Nahat would take me about a year!
The Nahat mystery deepens...Samir reports that Jorge died in 1950 something in Syria and never married. Perhaps Guilherme is using the term
grandfather as many do for any elderly person? But then I have a 1959 Jorge Nahat, and then there's that Brazil Nahat from 1983... Somebody reported
that the labels in some of his ouds list Hanna as Abdo's son, and he believes Jorge is Hanna's son. This makes sense chronologically at least. It's
been suggested that someone go to the public records in Damascus and straighten this all out. I'm sure it would be possible for a Syrian native, maybe
someone out there, somewhere...
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Mike
Super Administrator
Posts: 1568
Registered: 12-3-2002
Location: California, USA
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Hey Doc,
I think I am totally confused now!  When I get home later today, I'll
try to post some pictures of some Nahat labels that might confuse us some more or clarify some stuff. 
Take care,
Mike
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Mike
Super Administrator
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Okay, here are those photos.
An 1892 Ikhwan Nahat Oud Label
Notice the second label on the top for Tewfiq Hanna Nahat dated 1947. From this we can find out that Tewfiq is the son of Hanna. But who was Hanna's
father?
A 1905 Abdo and Roufan Nahat Oud Label
Notice Abdo's name on his collar. We can't see Roufan's collar, but I believe there was a picture of Alan's oud label where this was much clearer. So
from this label we can assume Abdo and Roufan were brothers.
Two pictures of a 1918 Abdo George Nahat Oud Label
From this label we find out that Abdo's father's name was George. So that would make Roufan George's son also. This is not the George Abdo Nahat or
George Hanna Nahat in question, but rather his great grandfather or great great grandfather.
And finally,
A George Hanna Nahat Oud Label
The Hanna is very clear here. The first name is not, but the first letter is "geem" or "jeem". So from this we assume George's father to be Hanna.
This is where it is confusing based on the information Richard has recently received.
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Dr. Oud
Oud Junkie
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Location: Sacramento, CA, USA
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Many thanks for the labels and for decifering them. I have a few more on my new Nahat Page. I also want to thank everyone who has sent pictures of their ouds to me. Now I'd like to ask your help again. If you could take a
picture of the label in your oud or have someone read it for the full name of the maker and date, and email it to
me, it will be most appreciated. I would also like to get measurements of your Nahat for Body width, length and depth; string length; neck length;
and location and size of the Rose hole(s). If you wish I will list the owners of each oud in the gallery, or you may want to remain anonymous. I hope
all the Nahat owners will help to tell the story of this remarkable family and their legendary ouds.
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Sidi
Oud Maniac
Posts: 94
Registered: 2-6-2004
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Mood: Very Sad...
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Hi Doc,
Here are some pictures of Farid playing his George Nahat oud. I have the video those B/W caps came from. I'll feature it in an upcoming post.
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Dr. Oud
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1370
Registered: 12-18-2002
Location: Sacramento, CA, USA
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I found a picture of a 1920 (or 1930) Tufiq Oud with a clean picture of the label. This is the only Tufiq I've found so far. Anybody ever seen another?
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eliot
Oud Junkie
Posts: 252
Registered: 1-5-2005
Location: The Gorges
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Dr. Oud
I found a picture of a 1920 (or 1930) Tufiq Oud with a clean picture of the label. This is the only Tufiq I've found so far. Anybody ever seen another? |
I'm very interested in the bridge assembly - it looks like there is a pick guard on the opposite side of the bridge - is this to cover up a previous
bridge location? Or are there some special oud playing techniques used in the 20s but forgotten today?
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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: | | ...I'm very interested in the bridge assembly - it looks like there is a pick guard on the opposite side of the bridge - is this to cover up a
previous bridge location? Or are there some special oud playing techniques used in the 20s but forgotten today? |
I've never seen that before myself, I'd guess it covers some damage, but who knows.
I've made a Timeline of the information I've collected so far.
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Elias
Oud Junkie
Posts: 126
Registered: 6-3-2004
Location: italy
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Mood: Oudy
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Hello,
I am the owner of that Tawfiq Nahat...i don't know the real meaning of that cover at the end of the bridge, it could be an old damage...but it
doesen't seem..i can only see that there are still little signs of a pencil around it..but the sound..ooh! the sound is so beautiful...
Salamat
Elias
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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 Elias
Hello,
I am the owner of that Tawfiq Nahat...i don't know the real meaning of that cover at the end of the bridge, it could be an old damage...but it
doesen't seem..i can only see that there are still little signs of a pencil around it..but the sound..ooh! the sound is so beautiful...
Salamat
Elias |
The bridge may have been moved. If you can post or u2u or email me the dimensions of your oud I can compare it
with others and see if that is the case. If you can measure the String length; Body width, length and depth; Neck length; and size and location of the
Shamsiya (Rose hole). At any rate, if it sounds good, just play it.
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Jameel
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1672
Registered: 12-5-2002
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Elias
Hello,
I am the owner of that Tawfiq Nahat...i don't know the real meaning of that cover at the end of the bridge, it could be an old damage...but it
doesen't seem..i can only see that there are still little signs of a pencil around it..but the sound..ooh! the sound is so beautiful...
Salamat
Elias |
Elias,
I love your Nahat. What is the material on the back of the neck and the pegbox? Do you have any nice pics (other than on Parfitt's site) of the oud
you could share?
Thanks!
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Elias
Oud Junkie
Posts: 126
Registered: 6-3-2004
Location: italy
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Hello Jameel,
The back of the neck and peghole is made of Sadaf(mother pearl)like the fingerboard. For the moment i don't have any other nice pics of it, only some
of me playing it at concert but these are not very nice cause unfortunatly i am more in evidence then Nahat ...
For Dr.Oud sorry for the delay but i will send you all the dimension measures of the instrument you asked in a couple of days...
Salamat
Elias
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Jameel
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1672
Registered: 12-5-2002
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Elias
Hello Jameel,
The back of the neck and peghole is made of Sadaf(mother pearl)like the fingerboard. For the moment i don't have any other nice pics of it, only some
of me playing it at concert but these are not very nice cause unfortunatly i am more in evidence then Nahat ...
For Dr.Oud sorry for the delay but i will send you all the dimension measures of the instrument you asked in a couple of days...
Salamat
Elias |
Elias,
Thanks for the info. Interesting. Would you mind sending a copy of those measurements to me too?
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Jonathan
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1582
Registered: 7-27-2004
Location: Los Angeles
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Here's an Abdo Nahat, 1930
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Jonathan
Oud Junkie
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Registered: 7-27-2004
Location: Los Angeles
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Abdo, 1930
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Jonathan
Oud Junkie
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sorry, forgot the pic
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Jonathan
Oud Junkie
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Registered: 7-27-2004
Location: Los Angeles
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I think the fingerboard is pretty cool.
This is the only good thing I think I ever found on ebay.
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samzayed
Oud Junkie
Posts: 485
Registered: 11-1-2003
Location: Chicago, IL
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Mood: Mashee el hal
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you found a Nahat on e-bay? Please, tell me more
Mabrouk!
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Jonathan
Oud Junkie
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Last week. It had just been listed, and I was the first person to see the listing. The little counter on the bottom actually said "1". A grand
total of $525 (I used Buy it Now). It makes up for all the times I got junk from ebay.
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samzayed
Oud Junkie
Posts: 485
Registered: 11-1-2003
Location: Chicago, IL
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You bought a 1930 Nahat for $525 on ebay? What????? There's still hope for the rest of us . . . 
So what kind of condition is it in? Is it playable? So have you verified its legit? Forgive give for sounding rude, but I've heard that Nahats are
often forged, especially in the Middle East. But this looks legit, as far as I can tell. Can you post more pics of the back?
Here's a 1889 Abdo (from Dr. Oud's site) http://www.droud.com/photogallery/Nahat/1888AbdoFront1.jpg Looks almost exactly as yours!
Great find Jonathan!
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