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Mike's Oud Forums » Oud Market Forum » Buy & Sell Ouds » lavta or laouto

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francis

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Registered: 4-8-2008
Location: Saintes , France
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posted on 6-21-2009 at 04:36 AM

lavta or laouto

Hello,

I want to buy a lavta or a cretan laouto.
I know the two instruments are different, buy I am tempted by the two ( but I'll buy one.......money says ! ).
I have no preference with nylon or wire strings now and I search an instrument which could be an intermediate between my ouds and my cittern, and which allows to play western, mediterranean and middle east music.
May be the price will be one answer when I have to choose.
I don't know makers or sellers.
I got an answer from Historicalinstruments in Turkey, and I tried to write to Ross Daly but his mail address seems to be bad.....
May be I could find some help and advices here, sure that members living in these areas have a fine knowledges about these instruments.
I thank you for advance, guys.
Francis

teslim

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posted on 6-21-2009 at 08:23 AM

dimitris rapakousios (dimitrisouds.com) makes some of the best lavtas and cretan laoutos available. I was there about 4 weeks ago and he had just completed several lavtas. that may still be for sale...the lavta has a fretting system like the turkish tambur, whereas the laouto has moveable frets as well but placed in a more western system like guitar..although on mine dimitris added several extra frets so I can use the the quater tones..(.like saz..) the lavta is tuned DADA (sometimes one step higher in turkey) and the cretan laouto is tuned gDAE (the D being the lowest string)...there are several good videos on you tube showing the beauty of both instruments...hope this helps ,,,good luck in your search...

francis

Oud Junkie

Posts: 428
Registered: 4-8-2008
Location: Saintes , France
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posted on 6-24-2009 at 03:04 AM

Thank you Teslim.

You answer gave me many informations and ideas about research.
I think I would prefer to buy a cretan laouto. This was my first idea, but a doubt stayed with lavta; now i'm sure I want to get a wired stringed one.
I contacted Dimitris Rapakousios. His instruments are amazing, for sure, and he can adapt his work to the woods and materials .....But prices are very expensive!!! I don't say that his laouta don't worth the price, but it's a lot of money for someone who isn't rich...
Nevertheless I keep contact with him, but i would know if other makers sell less expensive ( but quality ) instruments.
Thank you again for your answer.
Francis