Which Oud Instrument are you buying?

The Turkish oud you chose is very close to an Arabic sound. Could it be a Sultan Instrument or a Sala Muzik make? The pegs are also non-standard, and so is the fretboard(kafes/cage). Therefore, I don't think it's a fully accurate comparison. It would be more appropriate to compare it with an oud by a luthier like İsmail Hakkı Fencioğlu, Ramazan Calay, or Mustafa Copcuoğlu. Also, the piece you chose is from Arabic culture, so it hasn’t highlighted the differences clearly. As someone commented, the Turkish oud sounds more Arabic :) Nevertheless, I appreciate your effort and the information you've shared.

[@OudforGuitarists]

Keen observation my friend. I agree with you. 😁 Let this be a proof then to those sceptical about buying Turkish-made Arabic Ouds because they think they don't sound Arabic. Indeed, in some cases you can give a Turkish player an Arabic Oud and it will sound Turkish and vice versa.

[@ShawkiKhal-ed3qh]

I have both. In my opinion the Arabic Oud has a much deeper sound with more bass and the Turkish Oud has much more brighter with a slightly nasal sound. Both are great depending on which sound you prefer. I think this is due to construction differences ( bracing ect…) and bowl size. I do agree, your Turkish Oud sounds more like an Arabic Oud. I think due to quality and the cedar soundboard maybe.

[@OudforGuitarists]

Good for you. It's good to have both. It's like having a stratocaster and a telecaster.

[@TalaaboDheer]

Arabic seems more warm and Turkish as you said more bright but also slightly fuzzy and the notes are less pronounced.

[@rasmusn.e.m1064]

I always think about it like Turkish ouds have a slightly wet sound while Arabic ouds have a more dry sound.

[@Kiyan-tl5fy]

I have both and id sum it up like this-- Turkish ouds are tuned a step higher and have fantastically sweet treble and response, and super low action. Move your finger a half millimeter and you hear a sweet glissando. But, the lower notes are kinda tinny and shallow. Arabic ouds have a wonderful, bassy, deep melancholy. Each note packs more of an emotional punch. But they don't have the energetic bright highs, and you can't go quite as crazy with ornamentation

[@chismes536]

The sound of the Turkish oud is bright (sometimes buzz) due to its very low action, its long string and its bowl construction. The Arabic oud has a rounder sound due to its longer string length and slightly higher action. In reality they could be exactly the same oud but with different actions. As happens between classical and flamenco guitar. Your comparison is not representative, it is the opposite. But your work is magnificent.

[@snitra.]

Thank you for sharing, I prefer the Asian Luth as it is richer and since it is the original instrument, I have played a few Luth/Oud and my favorite is the Asian or the original Luth/Oud. Thanks, cheers

[@OudforGuitarists]

In all my years I have never heard of something called Asian Luth. That sounds like a generic name someone writing for wikipedia came up with. Is there another name in the language of origin? Very interested in seeing one of these Asian luths. Are you just trying to distinguish between European lutes and ouds?

[@snitra.]

@@OudforGuitarists The Asian Luth aka Chinese Luth (Pipa ) is the oldest version of modern luth, some say it's originated in Asia and developed in Mesopotamia and Europe, and some say it's originated in North Africa (Kemet), I did not read that in Wikipedia this is an information that traveled from the the indigenous people of North Africa!

[@OudforGuitarists]

@@snitra. Thanks, I understand Pipa. That's interesting because the Chinese sources themselves, even Pipa players I've heard speak about their Pipa say that the Pipa did not originate in China, but we're introduced to it by a non-chinese central Asian nomadic people they called the Hu.

[@ZakariaAli-v2w]

@@OudforGuitarists even i was cofused at the asian luth. Pipa I know I've seen videos of it. Though my favourite Chinese instrument would be the erhu there's something magical about it. I don't know if id compare it to the kemence I mean they're kinda played in the same holding position I guess

[@capocianni1043]

well, "since it is the original instrument." that's a bold statement isn't it?

[@zahifar3936]

There’s a plethora of sounds and constructions with ouds. Even within the Arabic range, there’s the Syrian, the Maghrebi, the Iraqi, the particular bashiri, etc. In the end what makes an oud sound different is what’s being played on it and how. Here it’s the same Arabic tune in a Levantine style. So it’s just a matter of a different timbre between the two Ouds, depending on the woods used, the manufacturing and other factors.

[@PatriziaPrudenzi]

Thanks for the video! I got a Turkish oud some weeks ago and I love the sound. But I always was wondering, if an Arabic one could be better. But now I know, the Turkish oud is my favorite ❤

[@ZakariaAli-v2w]

Ive got a turkish oud too though I haven't been able to tune the strings fully(broken Headstock). There was only one string that I was able to semi tune I've recorded myself plucking the string and I've got to say the sound was beautiful. I keep returning to that recording every once in a while😅😁

[@aze90]

If i dont have a tutor available, how can i tune an oud as a beginner? Guitars have these apps that can do it, but how can i do it for an oud?

[@abdulhadihaifa8711]

There is an application called "Pano Tuner" which is available on Play Store and I personally use to tune my oud.

[@OudforGuitarists]

I've discussed this a few times in some of my live videos but never done a stand alone video. I'll make a video for that.

[@messierthirtyone777]

Thank you for the video! I see that the tunings differ for each: Turkish: DGBEAD or alternatively DF#BEAD Arabic: CFAGDC or alternatively FADGCF Can either be tuned to each other's combinations? I am afraid whether tuning an Arabic oud to a higher pitch would warp the neck. And tuning a Turkish oud to a low pitch would make the strings sag. If my above assumptions are not a problem, then would it make more sense to buy a Turkish oud that has a good sustain and tune it to the pitch of the Arabic oud?

[@OudforGuitarists]

For the two arabic tunings you need a different set of strings. For the Turkish tunings it's completely no problem to tune down to arabic tuning or tune the bass strings in different combinations. As you become more professional you can use specific strings to make the tension more ideal for the tuning you use by buying custom sets.

[@Ilya.Vasilyev]

Hey Navid! What do you think of Zeryab Ouds? They look and sound decent to me and at least some of them have rods in the neck. That must help with longevity of the instrument. I'm only a beginner, that's why I'm interested in your opinion :)

[@OudforGuitarists]

I really like them. Even the least expensive ones.

[@cocoa.noir.patisserie]

What song is this? Really beautiful!

[@OudforGuitarists]

The intro to Alf Leila wa Leila by Baligh Hamdi

[@Rayruey]

What is the reason for the different sound? Does it go for all Arabic oud

[@OudforGuitarists]

It is the structure of the soundboard and to some degree the wood used.

[@ZakariaAli-v2w]

My Turkish Oud was around 400 dollars (346 uk pounds) I’ve been playing around with it even though headstock is broken 😅. I’ve also encountered issues with the strings they buzz a lot and I’ve accidentally fixed it only to hear buzzing again. Might need to get strings replaced. I’ve also noticed the string bridge of the Oud one side hasn’t been glued down yet and another issue is there seems to be a minor dent on the back of the Oud. The dent you can’t really feel it cause of the smooth finish covering it. I suppose the luthier I’m in contact with could fix this. Also I’ve got a question(for everyone here maybe Navid too) dots or tapes on the Oud fretboard which one is easier to deal with

[@OudforGuitarists]

Buzzing is a difficult thing to assess. Ask a luthier for sure. The dent is likely not worth worrying about, it sounds like a cosmetic issue? I've only used small circle stickers, never tried tape. You can buy special tape for violin learning. This is probably best because it's low tack and won't leave much residue.

[@ZakariaAli-v2w]

@@OudforGuitarists thanks

[@gregvarv7386]

Dond try to glue enithing to your instrumet is very bad to learn to play with this way to violins also some teachers put tapes to litle children and when they remove them they can not play nothing , you mast learn the spots with your ears!!! For the buzzzz to strings they are very low to the fret board , go to a Luther to fix it!!!

[@bhag628]

Do you ever play the Persian barbat or consider it as an oud option or do you consider it a different instrument altogether?

[@OudforGuitarists]

I used to play a Persian barbat for years but I could never achieve the sound I heard in Arabic oud recordings... So I changed to Arabic oud. The high notes on arabic ouds are very clear and cut through. The high notes on the Barbat I played and heard in recordings were rather flat.

[@OudforGuitarists]

It is an oud option. Barbat and oud are synonyms to me. But the current Barbat designs are not satisfactory to me as a recreation of the ancient Persian barbat as they were meant to be. It is likely that the ancient Barbat had frets, and a skin face and was more narrow like Yemeni qambus and afghan robab. I believe a skin face, and frets are more appropriate for the state of Persian music today. A barbat design that incorporates these two features in addition to the features we find in Arabic oud would be of great interest to me.

[@taharserbis5649]

Merci !

[@Nour01]

Your Turkish Oud sounds more Arabic To me

[@OudforGuitarists]

🤣🤣🤣

[@Nour01]

😊​@@OudforGuitarists

[@OudforGuitarists]

I'm really glad you think the Turkish oud sounds Arabic. This is really what the goal is with this instrument.

[@Nour01]

@@OudforGuitarists yes , I thought so 😊

[@rgayda]

Is it depends on the tuning?

[@andrewatarantino]

I give up on finding an oud, they are too hard. I want a lute now.

[@IbrahimYounes]

Best Oud money can buy for begginer but can also last to the professional period is Ibrahim Sukar oud. The dude is a legend. His ouds are extraordinary. They are both cheap (500 avrage) but very tood start and you wont get tired from it.

[@OudforGuitarists]

Where's the safest place to buy it though?

[@IbrahimYounes]

@@OudforGuitarists I placed an order with Ibrahim Sukar directly last month. He ships them anywhere in the world. sent it to me all the way to Canada. What an instrument! I was truly surprised by the build quality and sound. Its the perfect Oud in terms of value for money.

[@marcochaiwallah811]

how about a greek oud ? in which category would that fall sound wise ? im there rightnow and wonder if i should rather get a Turkish one, or are they fairly similar ? salaam

[@OudforGuitarists]

Greek ouds are more synonymous with Turkish style oud sounds. but Greek builders do seem to have their own sound. Dimitris rapakousious makes arabic ouds that sound arabic and his Turkish ouds sound Turkish but they also have their own uniqueness.

[@HeMnKurdiStaNi]

thank you but please what was the name of the music you were playing?

[@Zaphod313]

It's "Alf leyla wa leyla" (1001 nights), a song composed by Baligh Hamdi and sung/recorded by Umm Kulthum.

[@HeMnKurdiStaNi]

@@Zaphod313 Thank you

[@OudforGuitarists]

Alf Leila wa Leila introduction

[@Antijab]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3ilZGiHf7qisKc Does this guy make sense? I am a beginner, therefore not sure what to think. He claims so many things about Fa-Fa tuning. He says you get better range, and it better suits the human voice, etc. What do you think? (From around 3:10 in video)

[@Trilobite-hz1zg]

What mic you’re using ?

[@OudforGuitarists]

Shure sm-57

[@OudforGuitarists]

For my voice I'm just using CM25 MkIII microphone that comes with focusrite Scarlett 2i2 pack.

[@Trilobite-hz1zg]

@@OudforGuitarists thanks may be a tutorial on micing oud would be helpful for us.

[@LoveLove-mr7kk]

as for me, the Turkish oud sounds with an extra rattle. You can hear some kind of "Bzzz"

[@MLA-l4p]

You can not compare entry level to mid range oud

[@OudforGuitarists]

These are both mid-range, but one of them is an antique and one is new

[@MLA-l4p]

Wisly said by the Way i subscribed​@@OudforGuitarists

[@Rayruey]

I prefer Arabic

[@MessyTimes]

The Arabic sounds more "jangly," less smooth. Whereas the Turkish sounds deeper, more resonant and with rounder tones. Thanks for the demo.

[@OudforGuitarists]

@@MessyTimes yes, I use the word rustic to describe arabic ouds in a very general way, even though there are exceptions.

[@atharbarghouthi9649]

The Arabic one sounds horrible (in comparison with any Oud in general) while the Turkish one seems to be a Sultan? You can't compare these two and generalize; If anyone were to check out a Sabsaby oud (Syrian) they would fall in love with "Arabic" ouds, or if they hear a Yildirim oud, they'd fall in love with Turkish ones. It all depends on the million little details put into crafting a Oud, mainly the type and age of wood. I don't agree with the method of comparison in this video, and I also think playing a full chord instead of the one note in the introduction to the song (Alf Leila w Leila) added too much noise and ruined the song

[@OudforGuitarists]

The sound of Oud is such a funny thing. I've received a lot of compliments on this antique Syrian Oud from respectable people, and I've heard respectable people bash Yildirim Oud sound too. I'm not making any claims other than choosing two ouds and playing them side by side. The facts are facts, one is Arabic, one is Turkish. Made by Arab industry and Turkish industry. Let's collaborate. I'd love to see more comparison videos like this, especially from a different perspective. Make your own video comparing Arabic and Turkish Ouds, I'll make a follow up video to this one and link to your video so people can see your version.