Looking to buy an Oud?

There is a lot of information about Ouds out there, and it is all over the place.

So I decided to put it all in one place here with pictures and infographics and call it the
Ultimate Oud Buyers’ Guide​!

Whether you are entering the world of Ouds or you have played it for some time, read
this 5-part Ultimate Oud Buyers’ Guide (not sponsored by any makers or shops) before
you buy.

The Ultimate Oud Buyers’ Guide will cover the following topics in detail:

Part 1: Types and Characteristics of Ouds

Part 2: Oud Makers
Part 3: How to Buy an Oud in a Foreign Country
Part 4: Oud Strings
Part 5: Oud Picks

Already have an Oud? Start learning how to play it here!

So let’s get started!

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PART 1: TYPES OF OUDS

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The first step that one must take in order to enter the world of the Oud is to decide
which type of Oud he or she wants to wield.
It is your weapon, it is your staff, it is your wand. The sound it makes creates your
identity as an Oud player.
Are you the sound of the desert sand dunes? Or are you the sound of charging horses
galloping across green steppes?
These are the many colours and flavours of the Oud which you can achieve. There are
many choices to choose from. The Oud has evolved over many thousands of years, and
it took sometime before even I could understand the differences between different
types of Ouds.
Below is a general outline of the types of Ouds by region and style. This information will
give you what it took me years to discover.

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 ​ARABIC OUDS

Ornate Arabic Ouds

Where:
The most common type of Oud is an Arabic Oud. It is used in North Africa, Palestine,
Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, the Arabian Peninsula, and Iran.

Sound:
The Arabic Oud is the most romantic sounding of all the Oud types. It has a deep, round,
and well-balanced sound. The highest strings cut through and stick out through an
ensemble, and the bass strings give a nice smooth rumble. It typically features shorter
sustain, and this is preferred by Arab players.

Construction:

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 A beautiful Oud by Nazih Ghadban.

The Arabic Oud has many forms. In general, an Arabic Ouds sizes vary between 57-63
cm from the bridge to the nut. One or three sound holes are common, which are usually
adorned with rosettes. They can be made from a mix of different types of woods. The
soundboard is thicker than Turkish Ouds in comparison.
The Oud may be ornate or simple. There is a lot of variation in style and design in these
Ouds, but the bowl shape is large and round creating a deep mellow tone. The pegs are
the same as all Ouds, friction style similar to Violin pegs.
Most models now hold five double course nylon strings with a single low bass string for
a total of 11 strings. It is possible to find 10 string Ouds and 12, but 11 string is the norm.

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An old Oud made by Ikhwan Nahat

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 TURKISH OUDS

Where:
The Turkish Oud is a totally different breed of Oud with different construction and
unique sound. They can be found primarily in Turkey and Greece.

Sound:
I didn’t mention charging horses for nothing. Here it is. The Turkish sound is filled with
action and brightness. It is tuned a whole step higher than the Arabic Oud. It produces a
longer sustain than Arabic Ouds, and definitely cuts through an ensemble. There is
higher tension in the strings and a thinner soundboard producing sound in the middle
and high frequencies. It is easy to hear vibrato in these Ouds.

Construction:

Turkish Oud Ornament

Turkish Ouds are fairly easy to spot. It is not always the case, but the soundboard is very
rarely coated with varnish or polish. It is usually a very light wood colour most likely due
to use of spruce, but cedar is also used. The fingerboard and soundboard are usually
flush, but it is becoming more common to find the wood of the fingerboard to extend
beyond the neck and to the large soundhole. Where the fingerboard joins the
soundboard, there is a small ornament that looks like an extension of the fingerboard
that joins to a point as the picture to the right.

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This is a very general ornament that might tell you immediately what kind of Oud you
are looking at. However, some Arabic Ouds have this ornament as well.
Turkish Ouds have a slightly smaller shape than their Arabic counterparts. They are
always 58.5 cm in length from the bridge to the nut.
An important factor about Turkish Ouds is that factory-made Turkish Ouds are more
reliable than factory-made Arabic Ouds. It is possible to get a decent Turkish Oud under
$500. Turkish Ouds usually come with three sound holes that are slightly smaller than
Arabic Ouds’ sound holes and are usually adorned with rosettes. The numerous Oud
builders and mass production of Ouds in Turkey have led this market to be quite
competitive, and it is easy to find a decent Oud at low cost from Turkey.

Turkish Ouds front and back

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 IRAQI OUDS

Floating Bridge Oud ‘Bashir Style’

The Ouds you find in Iraq are also part of the Arabic family. In the last century a new
design was designed by Munir Bashir and built by Mohammed Fadel Hussein. This Oud
features a floating bridge, similar to Mandolin and Irish Bouzoukis. It also usually
features oval sound holes without rosettes. These along with other construction
differences creates an Oud with a unique sound. There are differing opinions on the
sound of these Ouds. Some people love them, some people hate them. Nowadays, this
style of Oud is built by all Oud builders. You can find low cost floating bridge Ouds from
most Oud factories.
If you want a higher end floating bridge Oud, all the best Luthiers offer these models as
well.

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 IRANIAN OUDS

In Iran there are two types of Ouds. The first is the Arabic Oud, which is tuned in the
same way and more comparable in sound to the Arabic Oud than the Turkish Oud. The
second type is called Barbat. It is gaining more popularity because it is a reinvention of
the ancient Barbat that was used in Iran before the Islamic conquest. It is believed to be
the predecessor of the Arabic Oud and is now made by many Luthiers in Iran. There are
several types of Barbat worth mentioning:
Ghanbari Barbat by Mohammadi Brothers

The Persian Barbat

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Skin top Barbat

Skin Top Barbat

Arafati Barbat

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 Arafati’s unique Barbat

Sound:
At first, the difference between Arabic Oud and the sound of the Barbat might be
difficult to distinguish in audio recordings.
The Barbat usually consists of five paired courses, but six paired courses can be ordered
as well. The low bass strings are punchy and clear. They are thick sounding and sound
more full than that of Arabic Ouds’ bass strings. The middle range is also very clear and
very clean. I find that the high strings and the notes in the high register is clean and clear
but lacks the same fullness and attack that is present in Arabic Ouds. The sound is more
airy.
All around this is a mellower beast than its Arabic counterpart. It is quite good for
Persian music and ensemble work because it mixes well in a Persian ensemble. ​Hossein
Behroozinia has helped re-establish the Barbat in traditional Persian music. This is what
a Barbat sounds like.

Construction:
The Barbat has a smaller bowl than both Arabic and Turkish Ouds. The bowl may be
slightly deeper than other Ouds. The bowl is shaped such that it reveals more of the
neck allowing easier access to higher notes on the fingerboard. On Arabic Ouds and
Turkish Ouds, the bowl meets where the 5th note of each string is located on the
fingerboard, whereas the Barbat bowl reaches to the 6th note.

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 ELECTRIC OUDS

Electric Ouds are a new creation that have been designed in multiple forms. There are a
few Oud builders that make them now.
There isn’t much that is special about these Ouds except that you can plug them in and
go nuts. Which may be exactly what you’re looking for.
Most are solid-body, but one Electric Oud created by Godin guitars is attracting a lot of
attention because of the excellent sound, playability, and electronics that you can work
with.
If you are curious, read our Godin MultiOud Review.

BEFORE YOU GO ELECTRIC, IT’S GOOD TO REMEMBER THAT…

If you are a traditionalist, or like a warm sound, this is probably not the way to go. But if
you play more electric music and want to experiment with different sound effects and
don’t want to spend a lot of money, an electric Oud of some kind may be the right
choice for you.
Sound:
When it comes to sound on electric Ouds, it is really up to you and the equipment you
have at your disposal. But do not expect a true traditional Oud sound. This also holds
true for the flatback Godin MultiOud. It closely resembles the Turkish Oud, but lacks the
deep, full sound that only a true bowl and traditional soundboard can create.
Some Luthiers like Dmitri Rapakousious also have their own flatback electric Oud models
that are both acoustic and electric, which give a more authentic sound when played
acoustically and electrically. However, ​the Godin MultiOud​ has exceptional electronics
and uses sound imaging.

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 OUD COMPARISON

The following is a very basic beginner guideline. Every Oud will sound different, and
every Oud builder creates a unique sound.
Ultimately, the Oud you buy depends on what type of music you want to play. If you like
Turkish music or Turkish-style players, then I recommend a Turkish Oud. The same logic
applies to if your interest lies in Arabic music and Arabic players; go for an Arabic Oud.
Turkish Ouds have their own sound and Arabic Ouds have their own sound. They sound
different. No two sound preferences are alike.
The most important thing in buying your first Oud is comfort and playability. Later, I will
suggest some of the best Oud options for beginners, intermediate, and professional
OUd players.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE BUYING

You must choose carefully when buying an Oud because it may take you a while to find,
choose, locate/ship. Once you get your Oud you must be happy with it.
I first recommend that you go back to ​the first recording of Oud that you fell in love
with​ and ​find out what style of Oud that is​. This will help you narrow your quest to find
the right Oud considerably.
Then I recommend going on YouTube and listening to all kinds of Oud players out there;
Turkish, Arabic, Iranian, old school players, modern players… whatever. Find the sound
you like.
After you find out what kind of Oud you want to play, decide what your budget will be.
This will help you determine where to go for your next Oud.

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Later, I’ll give you some recommendations for safe, reliable, and trustworthy Ouds that
suit almost any budget.

WOMEN’S OUDS

Luthiers also make custom women’s size Ouds with a smaller bowl. There are also some
factory made options for women size Ouds too. Details will be included under Oud
Makers chapter.

TUNINGS

Turkish: low strings to high strings C#F#BEad – EABEad – DABEad – DGBEad - BF#BEad
Arabic/Iraqi: CFADgc – DGADgc – FADgcf
Iranian (Usually Five course) GADgc – FADgc – EADgc

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PART 2: OUD MAKERS

In this section we will deal with Oud makers, and we will refer to two categories of
Ouds: factory Ouds, and Luthier built Ouds.

Factory built Ouds​ encompass entry-level, mid-range, and high-end Ouds, but are
known generally for their cheaper low-end and mid-range Ouds. The construction of
these Ouds may be supervised, designed, or inspected by a Luthier but will not likely be
put together by the Luthier. Most of these Ouds may sound the same, but there may be
a few cases where you find a really excellent sounding one. It is the same with most
factory built instruments these days. Low-end Ouds will naturally use less expensive
tone woods, and be less ornate. Expect to pay between $200 and $700 for low-end
factory built Ouds.

Luthier built Ouds​ are usually mid-range to high-end instruments. These are
instruments where the Luthier has put a lot of time and consideration into. Each Oud
created will be one of a kind with its own personality and character. The Oud will have
been assembled by the Luthier himself and will be constructed out of tone wood that is
of higher quality. These Ouds can be highly customized to your choice. They need not be
ornate, but they can be as ornate as possible as well. What really makes the difference is
the time and love that went into each instrument. Expect to pay between $800 and up
for a Luthier built Oud. The sky is the limit.

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PROS AND CONS

YOU HAVE TO BE PATIENT

The great thing about factory built Ouds is that they are cheaper and built faster. There
are usually Ouds in stock. Ordering a custom Oud from a Luthier can take up to six
months depending on the Luthier. So you will have to patient and wait for your Oud to
be built and possibly shipped to your location.

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CHEAPER LABOUR, CHEAPER MATERIALS
Factory built Ouds are excellent value, especially for beginners. They may be built by
apprentices or factory workers. They do use good tone woods, but probably not
hand-picked woods.

LONGEVITY & COMFORT

Even the most basic model Luthier built Oud will have a long shelf life. With factory built
Ouds, there may be some problems down the road. Climate changes may affect the Oud
more noticeably. Ouds are built very light, making them rather delicate. If there is
inadequate bracing on the soundboard or too much string tension, factory Ouds may
warp causing the distance between the strings and the fingerboard to increase. This
distance is called, ‘action’. Poor action is when the strings are difficult to press down
limiting the Oud’s playability. This will limit your progress on the Oud and cause you
unnecessary frustration.

So where does a beginner start?

ARABIC OUDS
There are many places to find an Oud, but I want you to find and buy an Oud that you
can trust, rely on, and feel good about. The most important thing is comfort and
playability when you get your first Oud, so here’s my top recommendation for Arabic
Ouds.
These are the best Ouds you can find for the price. Free International shipping is
included, and an easy-return policy.
Navid’s Personal Arabic Oud Recommendations

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If you are willing to wait and save up your money for an Oud of superb quality which will
last you many years and age like a fine wine, then I recommend taking a look at the
following Luthiers.

OUD BUILDERS

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PLEASE BE AWARE THIS IS BY NO MEANS A COMPREHENSIVE LIST! THERE ARE MANY
OUD BUILDERS OUT THERE THAT DO NOT HAVE WEBSITES.
The ones listed here are listed because they are a good introduction to different Oud
builders which beginners can actually access easier in terms of contact information,
international shipping, price range, and wait time etc.
This information is only for those who have no previous knowledge of Oud builders. Oud
builders with only phone numbers were not included. If you have series suggestions that
will be useful for beginners, please email me or write a detailed comment, and I will
update this guide. Thanks!

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A BRIEF PERUSAL OF OUD BUILDERS
But first, a few of the gods…

NAHAT FAMILY
Without going into detail, these Ouds are reputably the most historically significant and
famous Ouds. When you hear ‘Nahat’, your head should spin as though a dog seeing a
squirrel (enter popular movie reference). They are two generations of Oud builders
based in Damascus, Syria, during the 19th and 20th centuries.Their Ouds are now
priceless antiques as there are no extant descendants building Ouds these days.

MANOL VENIOS
Greek Oud Builder living in Istanbul, Turkey during the 19th century. Manol’s Ouds are
to Turkish Ouds what Nahat Ouds are to Arabic Ouds. The sound of Manol’s Ouds differ
from modern Turkish Oud sounds. Faruk Turunz has made studied the Manol Oud
design with great passion in order to recreate this “old oud sound”.

MODERN OUD BUILDERS AND LUTHIERS (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER BY LAST

NAME)

IBRAHIM ADA​– TURKEY

A talented Oud maker of the Turkish variety. He also makes an Iranian Barbat as well.

MOHAMMAD ARAFATI​ – IRAN

Arafati is a Persian Barbat and Oud builder. He has created his own unique Barbat, that
resembles the modern Oud more closely in sound and construction. His Ouds and
Barbats are
excellent quality. Contact orientalinstruments.com as well for more details.

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KHALID BELHAIBA​ – MOROCCO
Khalid Belhaiba is known for making Ouds for Said Chraibi. He is located in Casablanca.

GEORGES BITAR​ – LEBANON

Builds excellent Syrian Ouds, also women’s models. Classic Arabic tone.

MUSTAFA COPCUOGLU​ – KADIKOY, ISTANBUL

Well priced Turkish Ouds.

EMIR DEGIRMENLI​ – TURKEY

Ornate and high quality Turkish Ouds.

ISMAIL FENCIOGLU​ – CENTRAL CANADA

A turkish Oud resource for building and repairs in the heart of Canada.

NAZIH GHADBAN​ – LEBANON

Nazih is an excellent Oud builder whose Ouds have a particular aesthetic quality which is
quite unique and original. They are also endowed with a classic Arabic sound. He has
video demos all over youtube and a very new website.

RICHARD HANKEY AKA DR OUD​ – CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Dr Oud knows Ouds. Based in California, Dr. Oud has published a how-to book on Oud
repair and construction. He is very fond of replicating and restoring old Nahat Ouds.

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WISSAM JOUBRAN​ – PARIS, FRANCE
Wissam Joubran has Oud building and playing in his blood. He makes one-of-a-kind
instruments and they are a labor of love. Probably not the first choice for a beginner,
but he is a good reference for those who live in Europe.

FADI MATTA​ – JOUNIEH, LEBANON

Unique Lebanese Luthier that ships internationally. Please contact his website for
further details.

MOHAMMADI BROTHERS​ – IRAN

The Mohammadi brothers are currently making Persian Barbats in the style of Ebrahim
Ghanbari Mehr, the creator and pioneer of the modern Barbat design. Their quality is
exceptional.

MICHAEL MOUSSA​ – ENGLAND

Conveniently located in England, Michael produces all Oud styles. His prices are also
quite average for high quality Ouds.

VIKEN NAJARIAN​ – UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Lebanese Oud builder residing in the United States who also builds electric Ouds for
those of you who want to rock out.

SAMIR NASSIF​ – CANADA

Samir is based in East-Central Canada and is a good resource for Oud building and repair
of Arabic style.

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YILDRIM PALABIYIK​ – TURKEY
This Luthier makes a range of beginner and advanced models and also provides
international shipping.

DIMITRIS RAPAKOUSIOS​ – ATHENS, GREECE

A young talented Luthier who makes and repairs all kinds of Greek, Turkish and Arabic
instruments. (He built my own Oud so I might be a little biased) Check him out and
decide for yourself.

CENGIZ SARIKUS​ – TURKEY

Turkish Luthier that makes traditional and experimental instruments. Joseph Tawadros
is known for playing an Oud by Dr. Sarikus

NAJIB SHAHEEN​ – NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Famous older brother of Simon Shaheen. A true gem to have living in the United States.
Builds and repairs Ouds. He probably doesn’t build Ouds regularly for clients, but he
does repairs. Contact him for details.

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PHILIP SHAHEEN​ – TARSHISHA
Philip is pioneering the construction of carbon fibre Ouds. The main body of the Oud is
made from carbon fibre with the exception of the soundboard. There are many benefits
to this kind of Oud in the modern world. ​See for yourself.

MAURICE SHEHATA​ – CAIRO, EGYPT

Very good reputable Egyptian Ouds by a family of builders.

FARUK TÜRÜNZ​ – ISTANBUL, TURKEY

This Oud builder is definitely one of the most famous in Turkey. Any explanation cannot
do justice here. Visit his website. The good thing for beginners in that he offers reduced
price Ouds that he will make in any style Arabic or Turkish. Very good price point.

JOHN VERGARA​ – NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Another fantastic North American Luthier resource for Oud building and repairs.

There are many other Oud builders and Luthiers out there. I am sorry if I have not
included all. This may be updated but I didn’t think it was necessary because anyone
serious about researching to buy an Oud over $1000 should really become active on
Mike’s Oud Forums​ to adequately research and learn about other reputable Luthiers out
there. Also check this out: ​another list of Oud builders​.
And don’t forget to pick up other ​tools​ that make your Oud sound even better. Check
out my recommendations ​here​.

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PART 3: HOW TO BUY AN OUD IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY

Some of you may wish to buy an Oud when visiting a Middle Eastern country. This is a
great idea because you also get to see where the Oud comes from and get a sense of
the culture, perhaps meet some musicians, and meet the person who made your Oud.
In most cases, you will probably buy an Oud from a music shop and not from a Luthier’s
workshop, unless you have pre-ordered an Oud and going to pick it up in person. Here
are a few tips and pointers when buying an Oud in a foreign country and then ordering
an Oud from a Luthier.
Would you like your Oud with
strings or without strings? Would
you like a bag? Paper or Plastic?

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The first rule when buying an Oud is to stay away from decorative items. You will find
decorative Ouds in the tourist trap areas of a given city. They will be made of poor
quality wood, and they may look very pretty, but don’t be fooled, they are not even
worth a glance!
Only buy Ouds from stores that specialize in musical instruments. However, it is even
possible that you will find instrument shops in tourist areas that are not completely
professional. In this case, you are pretty much on your own to decide the worth of the
instrument you are looking at.
If you find yourself in a reputable instrument shop and are serious about buying an Oud,
always be careful, you may not be fully aware of all the cultural nuances that are
involved when haggling. Read up on the country you are traveling to beforehand.

These guys look fairly friendly…

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MY EXPERIENCE IN GREECE
When I was in Greece, I was met with a situation that was very embarrassing.
I went into a shop in a tourist area that had a lot of very nice instruments and my father
was trying to get me to try and play an Oud. The Oud was a factory built Turkish Oud
that needed to be tuned and played a lot.
I didn’t want to try it out because I wasn’t interested. The Baglamas in the shop were
better quality and the quality of the Oud wasn’t great. Not to mention the fact that I
was going to pick up my custom made Oud the next day so you could imagine I wasn’t
interested in trying out this Oud.
My father insisted so I tried the Oud out and realized it needed a good 20 minutes of my
time just to tune it, I was not used to the order in which the strings were attached, and
the tuning was all out of whack. I began to tune it and the shop owner had a fit. He
proceeded to be extremely rude, grabbed the Oud out of my hands and told us we are
not serious about buying today. And pretty much kicked us out of his shop.
I did end up buying an instrument that day from another shop, it was a spontaneous
buy, and maybe if this guy was a bit more encouraging he would have had our business.

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 They won’t always be as happy as this guy…

So be careful, and it’s never nice to be a low baller!

Another thing: when you’re about to meet a Luthier who is building your custom Oud,
don’t make spontaneous purchases of other instruments until after meeting the guy,
because he’s going to find you a better deal and recommend you to people who have
quality instruments for less money. I bought a Turkish Saaz that day, and it was a good
instrument, but I paid a bit too much for it.

NEGOTIATING GUIDELINES:
1.) Know what you want, and how much you want it for, but be reasonable.
2.) If you are not serious about buying an instrument don’t waste the shopkeepers time.
3.) Don’t go through a shop, asking to try playing this and that. After having a look
around, if you are serious about buying, have a real conversation with the shop owner.

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Show them your interest, tell them what you are looking for, and ask them to show you
what they recommend. Then feel free to ask to try other instruments.
4.) If you are in the process of shopping around, don’t focus on one instrument too
much, or you may get into a situation where you are forced to negotiate on that item.
5.) Always look them in the eye and tell them you will come back.
6.) When you are serious about a certain instrument, and you have started negotiating,
be fair. If you are in reputable store that is not tourist oriented and the price is listed on
the instrument, don’t expect to get the item for half the asking price. If you are lucky,
you will get the instrument for 80%-90% the asking price. You should always try for less
anyway, but be respectful in your delivery.

MY RECOMMENDATION:
If you are serious about buying an Oud in person in a foreign country, start a thread on
Mike’s Oud Forums​ and ask members for any local advice. There are many people active
in the forum that may live in the country you are going to and can help you, maybe even
willing to meet up with you to take you to a reputable instrument shop that won’t
charge you tourist prices.
When you know someone, that is your ‘IN’ and you might be able to negotiate prices
more easily than you would as an outsider. I did something like this when I was in
Turkey and I wanted to purchased a Cumbus to take with me on a 7 month journey
through South East Asia. I met up with a friend of a friend who was willing to meet up
with me and take me to a music store with whose owner he was acquainted. The owner
gave me a decent reasonable deal as a result.
I can guarantee your experience will be much more rewarding than just showing up and
trying it on your own.

ORDERING AN OUD FROM A LUTHIER

Your first Oud doesn’t have to cost you a lot of money, and it doesn’t have to be made
by a special Luthier. But if you are serious about the Oud, you should think about this

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option. I hope you will have as great of an experience as I did when I ordered my first
custom Oud.
I ordered my Oud from ​Dmitri Rapakousious​. I had been looking around a lot online, but
was fortunate to be taking a short trip to Greece, and Dmitri’s prices were spot on. Even
after checking out his website, seeing detailed pictures of all his Ouds, and listening to
sound clips, I was still a little apprehensive about ordering an Oud.
But I saw a picture of ​Ross Daly​ on his website, and I was already a fan of his music, so I
emailed him to ask about Dmitri’s work. Ross Daly gave him his “highest
recommendation”. So I was set at ease, and proceeded to order an Oud.
I just emailed Dmitri explaining my situation, and that I would come and pick up the Oud
myself. I told him I was looking for an unadorned Oud in the Syrian style, but asked him
to make it as loud as possible. (I was using a Persian Barbat at the time, and would
occasionally perform with Daf as accompaniment, and found that my Barbat wasn’t as
prominent as I wanted it to be.)
Dmitri said he would make my Oud with his loudest woods. He then quoted a price, and
I was very happy with it. He said it would take a few months to complete.
About a month or so before my trip, I contacted his again to see how the progress was
going. He said he would complete it on time.
Next thing you know, I was in Athens, trying to figure out how to get to Dmitri’s
workshop. That was an adventure. After several confusing transfers on public transit, I
found Dmitri’s workshop.
It was exciting to finally meet this Luthier and my new Oud. I had no idea what my Oud
would look like, and was surprised to see that it was a hybrid. It was a Syrian bowl size,
with Iraqi style sound holes without rosettes.
When I first played it, I was amazed, it was the sound I had been looking for so long. I
had always loved the Arabic sound and didn’t really know the difference between the
Arabic Oud, and Persian Barbat. So this is what I wanted, and this is what I got.
I went in fully trusting Dmitri, and the whole process, so I didn’t ask for pictures to be
sent during construction. I didn’t even know what my Oud would look like… My only
requisite was that it be loud. Dmitri also delivered in that regard too.

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But it might be a good idea to describe in detail how you want your Oud to look. In the
end, sound is most important, trust your Luthier, he/she will make it look good, but you
are looking for a particular sound, and that sound you must have!

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO BEFORE CUSTOM ORDERING AN OUD (AND WHAT I

DIDN’T DO)
1.) Know what style you like.
Whether it is Turkish, Arabic, or Persian. You have to LOVE that sound. I originally
ordered an Arabic Oud not because I knew it was the sound I loved, but because the
tuning of the Oud was similar to the Persian style and tuning I was already playing. I
didn’t realize how different Arabic,Turkish and Persian Ouds were until after… I got
lucky that I ordered an Arabic Oud, because once I played it I knew that was the sound I
loved so much. So the sooner you know the difference, the better.
2.) Know the Luthier you are ordering from.
Use this guide​ to get a basic understanding of what kind of Oud a particular Luthier
builds. Ask specific questions on Mike’s Oud Forums about the Luthier and their
work/sound. Email people you know who have purchased Ouds from that Luthier, see
what they have to say.
3.) Know how much you are willing to pay.
If you have a budget, make that known to your Luthier. If your best price is too low, they
might be able to make some recommendations. In my case, I wanted a high quality Oud,
that was reasonable, so I sacrificed the potential ornate designs that could have been
provided.
4.) Determine How You Will Pay For and Receive Oud
If you are dealing with the Luthier in person you may have to pay cash, or wire the
money somehow. I had to go to the bank in Greece and deposit money into Dmitri’s
account directly because I brought travelers cheques. Arrange this with your Luthier.
Find out their expectations.

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Also, if you are picking up your Oud, make sure you know your airline carrier’s policies
for bringing instruments on board. You DO NOT want to be surprised when they force
you to check-in your new Oud because they won’t allow it as carry-on. I have traveled by
plane with my Oud many, many times, and I’ve only had a problem once. If you are
having your Oud shipped, make sure you know how much it will cost you, if anything.

PLAY THAT OUD LIKE CRAZY

Once you get your Oud home, play it like crazy, enjoy those moments. Your Oud will
change sound, it will mature, and it will be all yours. The more you play, the better.
Enjoy your Oud dude.

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PART 4: OUD STRINGS

Don’t let the prospect of buying a new set of strings stop you from getting into the Oud.
Fortunately, there are many companies that manufacture Oud strings for all types of
tunings and styles. Oud strings also last a very long time and are not meant to be
changed too often, but this is always a matter of personal preference.

These days there is a wide range of prices and materials to choose from for Oud strings.

On this site you will see many different brands and a few different types of materials:
Nylon
Nyglut
PVF

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Nylon​ strings are the most commonly used Oud strings. There is regular nylon and there
are rectified nylon strings. Some companies have created rectified nylon strings after
finding that some plain nylon strings have created some tonality problems (ex. not
sounding in tune). A rectified nylon string is normal nylon, except that it has been
analyzed for segments which are too thick or uneven and ground down and shaped to
perfection with special technology. This process is used for the high strings or treble
strings. Bass strings are wound with a light metal like copper, silver, or nickel. Hence you
will see terms like copper-wound, silver-wound, or nickel-wound. In these strings, thin
strands of nylon are pulled and wound with above mentioned materials.

Nyglut​ strings are patented and produced only by Aquila strings. It is a material that
claims to have all the benefits of nylon, PVF, and gut without being sensitive to the
weather. Aquila Nyglut strings are the recommended string set for Ukuleles. Nylon
strings are clear looking, whereas Nyglut is a murky white colour. The bass strings will
either be silver or copper wound.

PVF​ strings are another nylon substitute which is a fluorocarbon. You can typically find
this material in fishing line. They make good Oud strings as well. They give a brighter
tone than Nylons and Nygluts. They are also lighter and thinner than as well. They are
worth a try, especially if you like a bright tone or play Turkish Oud.

In the end, it doesn’t matter what Oud strings you use because it is always up to your
personal preference and what sound YOU are looking for. Also, one Oud may sound
good with regular Nylon strings, where another may require a different set. It really
takes some experimentation. A really good starter string set for Arabic Ouds is ​Pyramid
Orange Label​ according to oudstrings.com.

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STRING GAUGES AND TENSIONS

Without going into the physics of strings too deeply, there are a few general things to
remember when buying strings and how it affects the sound your Oud makes.

String gauge refers to its thickness or diameter. Thicker strings are used for lower notes
or bass notes. Thinner strings are used for higher strings or higher notes.

String tension refers to the weight exerted on the instrument. Heavy strings will have
higher tension, lighter strings will have less tension. Heavy strings feel heavy. You will
need slightly more finger strength to play them versus lighter strings. String tension is
directly related to string thickness and density.

This is important for beginners because there is a difference between the gauge and
tension requirements for Arabic and Turkish Ouds. Turkish Ouds are tuned higher than
Arabic Ouds, so they use strings with a lower gauge, in other words, a thinner string, but
put more tension in the string by tuning it higher. So when you put Turkish strings on an
Arabic Oud which is slightly longer than a Turkish Oud and is tuned lower, the result is
going to create strings that are too loose to resonate well with Arabic tuning. If you try
to compensate by tuning your Arabic Oud to Turkish tuning you may put too much
tension on the neck and soundboard that may eventually damage the Oud.

This is especially important if you have bought an inexpensive Oud. You want to be
careful not to over exert it too much or it won’t last as long and it may be difficult to
play.

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WHAT I LIKE

I have been using Aquila low tension Oud strings for a long time now and I think this
sounds the best for my Oud. I like a warm sound that doesn’t sound too stringy so I
prefer copper-wounds or else I can hear the sound of my fingers squeaking as I play
vibrato on the lower bass strings.

This is where I usually buy my strings:

Amazon.com
Ethnicmusical.com
Juststrings.com

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PART 5: OUD PICKS

The final accessory required to get you started on the Oud is an Oud pick. It called
mezraab/mizrap in Farsi and Turkish and Reesha in Arabic. Whatever you call it, you’re
going to need a good one. Don’t go cutting up your old yogurt containers yet, there are
much better options out there!

The mezraab is long and thin. It is held not only by the fingers but the whole hand. Don’t
use a guitar pick to play the Oud, it will limit your technique in the long run, and it just
won’t give you the right sound. The attack of the mezraab is very unique for the Oud.

DIY OUD PICK

You need sandpaper to shape your Oud pick.
I used to make my Oud picks myself.
I would search for adequate plastic around my
house. I would take apart binders, cut them up
and sand away until I got the shape I wanted.
They turned out pretty good and I gave a bunch
to my teacher for him to give to his other
students.
I stopped using these after finding some nice
cable ties that were thick enough to sand down
and dense enough to create the attack sound I
wanted. These became my favorite picks and I
still use them today. The problem with them is
that they took hours to shape and sand!
Then my dog found one and chewed it up!

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 Before shaping

After shaping

BUY YOUR PICKS

I recommend starting out by trying some of the inexpensive options out there. Again, a
great resource for buying Oud picks, is oudstrings.com. They have some newly designed
materials that you should have in your arsenal. I have used a few of these, and have
been extremely happy with them.

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OUD PICK MATERIALS

Historically, the Oud has been played with a wooden pick, and even the quill from an
Eagle. Different types of plastic are your best bets now, but there are actually some
natural products that might be of interest to you as well.

These are a few that I have tried:

Pyramid picks
These picks are great. They are made from celluloid. I have used them before. At
oudstrings they even sell stiffer picks for those who are looking for better tone and stiff
attack.

Talonite
Talonite picks create a nice mellow sound. But the attack is quite soft.

Mizrite
Mizrite is very durable, and very similar in density and attack to my cable tie Oud picks
I’ve made. They will never fail you.

Other picks you might want to try:

Bull Horn
I was given a Bull horn risha as a gift and it changed the way I think about plectrum
material forever. Bull horn picks are by far my favorite type of Oud pick.

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It gives superior quality of tone, and comfort. It truly brings out the sound of your
instrument. It is very rigid which gives it a superior attack, so it plays through the strings
so nicely. In comparison to all plastic risha, plastic risha are floppy and seem to get
“stuck up” or “caught” on the string, but the cow horn risha slides off the string making
your playing easier too.
Bull horn or cow horn is a natural material that is supposed to very stiff which creates an
attack that some Oud players really like. It is supposed to mimic tortoise shell which is
illegal in the United States at the moment. ​John Vergara​ also sells bull horn picks, and so
does ​Mattias Wagner​.
Oudstrings also offers mock tortoise picks, and another material called tortite which is
supposed to be very close to tortoise shell.
Check out ​my full review​.

CONCLUSION
Oud picks are definitely a matter of personal preference. So the bottom line is you must
own a whole bunch of different ones and try them all!

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