entfred
Oud Admirer
Posts: 6
Registered: 11-6-2005
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New to ouds - what to look for in buying an oud
Hello,
I have been playing guitar for many years, but am new to the oud.
I love the sound of the oud and want to learn how to play one. How much does one have to spend to get an instrument that has easy action
and at least a somewhat inspiring tone? What about getting a model
that a professional oud player would be happy with? What do they
typically cost? I live in the U.S.
Another possibility is to get a Cumbus, which appears to be very
inexpensive compared to many ouds.
Thanks for any advice on ouds or how the Cumbus compares to an oud!
Entfred
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SamirCanada
Moderator
Posts: 3405
Registered: 6-4-2004
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the cumbus isnt a oud I guess thats as close a comparaison you can get. 
But seriously the only recemblence is the scale lenght of the oud so if you can play oud you can play cumbus but the rest is different.
The first question you will need to awnser is "what music do I wana play"
Because if your into Turkish/Greek/Ottoman/Armenian/Asia minor, types of music then you should get what is refered to a "Turkish" oud. Wich is built
smaller then a "Arabic" oud. A turkish oud can be built in Greece, Armenia.. even the USA. The Idea is that a turkish oud is refering to the scale
lenght around 58cm and the tuning its used in.
Or if your into music from the Levant ( Egypt, Lebanon, Syria etc...) and arabic countries, Then you should get an Arabic oud. Wich is bigger and with
a generaly more bassy sound and with less overtones. A turkish oud has a brigter sound and more overtones because its smaler and tuned differently
(higher) and also its built differently to handle the tension.
And be sure to go through as many posts with many different topics. There is a tonne of information on here and its really important that you read
enough to know what exactly to look for in a oud.
Generaly features like a ebony fingerboard and ebony pegs are highly regarded. Quality woods for the back include walnut,rosewood,mohagany,
paduk,maple,wenge etc... not in anytype of order. The most prefered top is made of 2 joined peices of unfinished spruce. Cedar is also verry
popular.
Enjoy your stay
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entfred
Oud Admirer
Posts: 6
Registered: 11-6-2005
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Mood: No Mood
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I have started reading all the other posts on people's
experiences looking for ouds.
I was in Israel recently and want to play Arab music.
I really haven't heard much Turkish or Greek music, but
the Arab music struck a chord with me!
Went to Arab Shouk in Jerusalem and the Ouds were
$100 at one place. I tried a few expensive ones elsewhere,
but this $100 sounded really good. It was made in
Egypt and I have no idea how good it was, since it was
my first exposure to these. I had my hands full with
luggage coming back, so didn't purchase it, but either
next time there or just get something mail order. And of
course, it is true that you usually get what you pay for.
As I understand, the ouds are made in Egypt, Syria, Turkey
and lots of other countries.
I do like having lots of overtones in guitars, but a good
bassy sound is great, too. I guess if you don't even know
how to play an oud, any good oud will suffice. Some of
the oud recordings I have heard have heavy reverb and
some have just the natural sound of the oud.
I would guess that all solid wood construction would sound
better than laminations....
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