Turkish Quality Mahogany and Maple String Instrument Oud Ud AO-103

Why The Turkish Oud?Researched, Compiled, & Written By Richard G. Johnson, JDUSA Pittsburgh -- 27 December 2018The Turkish Oud is directly descended from the Mongolian/Chinese Pipa (“up-down”) introduced to the Middle East and to the West by Genghis Khan. It is the immediate precursor of the European Lute (“Laud” or “A'lud”), which then led to (the) La Guajira (como idiófono, o sea, que suena por sí mismo), then the “guitarra battente” of Stradivarius, and finally to the ultimate stringed instrument exquisitely perfected by Manuel Contreras in the 1960's, the “Guitar.” The Turkish Oud differs vastly from the Arabic Oud of Iraq, Greece, & Armenia, being made of higher quality lighter-weight wood which is more pliable and more compliant to superb sound production. Modern day (20th Century) Oud design (shorter neck and more shallow bowl) originated with the Greek Luthier Maolis Venios of Constantinople/Istanbul. This Oud is typically strung with eleven strings concerted into six course (one drone but some say two, the famous bam teli, & five double courses), in an evolution from the former Vihulea standard of five courses. The exact choice of tunings varies wildly, from “open D” tuning for a beginner, to any standard Guitar tuning for the guitarist, and then to these traditional tunings for the advanced or expert player:E A B e a d // C# F# B e a d // B F# B e a d // D A B e a d // D G B e a dFor Each Tuning: (11 - 10 // 9 - 8//7 - 6//5 - 3//1 - 4//2)6 5 4 3 2 1E A B e a d|| || || || || ||The most traditional Oud tunings tend to gravitate in Turkish Music to 4=B, 3=e, 2=a, & 1=d, very close to Lute 4=D, 3=f#, 2=a, & 1=d, and also very close to the Guitar 4=D, 3=g 2=b 1=e, but adding the two lower drone strings, often 6E/5A, which two can but easily be changed according to the playing key or mode (makam). The strings are plucked by a long pick (Risha), but can also and traditionally are played with natural fingernails, finger pads, or a sturdy and beautiful bird feather.Left Side || Right Side:(E) E 0-||||-0 A2 (A)(A) A1 0-||||-0 B2 (D)(g) e2 ||||-0 B1 (D)(g) e1 ||||-0 d2 (e)(b) a2 ||||-0 d1 (e)(b) a1 ||Always remember that it is the Oud that inspired and produced the incomparable music of Andalucía, which to this very day has never been equaled.“I am extremely pleased with Seller Sala (salamuzik). The Oud, a work of art in and of itself, arrived way early, and in showroom condition (a genuine feat considering that the shipping was international from Turkey Istanbul to USA Pittsburgh). Also notable is the absolutely superb work of packing the musical instrument, obviously done with tremendous care (and many sheets of 'bubble-wrap'). There is not a scratch, and no blemish on the highly polished and fragile woodwork. Seller Sala can rest assured that the Oud has a good home and that I will play the instrument both publicly & privately in Pittsburgh USA for many, many years. Thank you, Richard G. Johnson, JD Pittsburgh USA.”Richard G. Johnson, JD, USA Pittsburgh

This is a really great product! When I finally received it I had trouble at first tuning it because some of the tuning pegs were very loose and couldn't hold the tension on the strings. I was able to simply push them in a bit further and it solved the problem. I am absolutely obsessed with the instrument and have a hard time putting it down. When I do put it down, I end up getting more ideas to try and pick it up again. This is a quality product at a reasonable price and it sounds great!

First of all the oud pictured that I purchased was NOT the OUD pictured on Amazon.The Shamisee on mine are brown not white and the pegbox end-cap and nut are not bone or plastic hard to tell from item photos,but are natural wood(Ebony=nut) (Mahogany=endcap). Despite these misrepresentations The oud i acquired is beautiful,sounds very good and plays wonderfully. If the maker is Veysel Sala what a wonderful job he did for short money. Spruce top(soundboard) mahogany and maple strips of wood for the bowled back and back of neck. Ebony fingerboard and Ebony pegs. Though NOT the instrument I thought I was purchasing the Oud that arrived is simply fantastic.I ended up finding my exact oud pictured on eBay by the same seller. It was shipped with a set of oud strings, a risha(pick) and gigbag, arrived in a very reasonable amount of time(about 3 weeks)and was undamaged. In summary i really am enjoying this Oud. Thank you Mr. SALA

The Oud arrived After 9 days with fast shipping, the seller shipped the item in less than 12 hours, and he replied on my questions within few hours, the Oud is beautiful, and it arrived in a very good package that maintain the Oud. The oud came with additional strings and soft bag and 2plastic used to play with the Oud. Yes I do recommend this item it sounds very good.

Commercial quality not as solid as it looks. It is OK for non professional musicians

looks beautiful, but dosen't play like an Oud it's sounds like gitar.........

I received the beautiful and well-made Oud pictured on Amazon. It's my intro into the Oud after years of playing several other stringed instruments. The sound of this Oud is beautiful. I replaced the strings with the new set provided and after some tuning, found the sound to be fantastic. My Oud arrived undamaged in carefully packaged and wrapped boxes (one inside the other for added protection).It was shipped and delivered in 2 weeks time. I shopped around for this first Oud, and am delighted by the quality and ease of this purchase.

I love the seller! very honorable and communicative manbeautiful instrumentmy advice is if you’re a series musician spend more because the set up will be better on a more expensive instrument.otherwise You will spend that extra money going to a luthier to have the nut cut down and the fingerboard planed.