Old Fretless Banjo (cont)
I bought some D'Addario Pro Arte classical strings, which you can buy separately (you needs two 'E's, plus a 'B' a 'G' and a 'D'). And I didn't have to do any reaming or filing as the strings all sat OK on the nut, and went into the peg holes (just). I did have to cut a piece of cork to support the tailpiece pillar at the back otherwise it would be probably end up bent. The bridge I had had the slots too close together for frailing (your fingers get tangled up) so I adjusted another one. All in all its not bad and its a pity its not mine!
Old Fretless Banjo
A friend of mine asked me to fix up a tatty old fretless banjo. Here are some pictures (randomly oriented for some reason) taken before I brushed all the spiders away.
Its a bit of a mess with missing and replacement tensioners, a very dodgy tailpiece setup and badly turning pegs, but its sound enough and has a good hide head. Probably not worth a complete overhaul, but certainly worth setting up and playing.
My own fretless is set up with nylon strings for that old lightweight plunky sound, so I ordered some of these only to realise that I would have to adjust the nut, fifth string nut and pegs to handle the extra widths.
I'll set up a single nylon string, and if it sounds good I'll request the necessary alteration permissions.
To Nazih Ghadbhan 18 September, 2008
Hello,
(Je peut ecrire en francais si vous voulez)
In January I bought your oud 953 (2002) from a third party, and I am very, very pleased with it. However recently some buzzing has started, particularly at the second finger position, where there is some groove wear. This was there when I bought it but seems to be getting worse (although I do need new strings).
I don't want to send it back for repair, but wondered if you had replacement finger boards? 'Special fibre' I believe. There is a very good luthier near my home who could fit this.
Also I thought a temporarily filling the grooves with superglue and then smoothing down (I have done this successfully with worn violin finger boards). This isn't pretty but does no harm to the oud.
I wonder what your thoughts are?
Thanks,
Bernie Stocks
20 September 2008
Dear Bernie
thanks for your email,
my congratulations for the oud #953 it is an excellent oud,
Regarding the fingerboard I suggest you to remove the old one of special fiber and let the luthier at your region puts one fingerboard of ebony or of any hard wood.
I think the old fingerboard is glued with hide glue so it is easy to take it off.
Best regards
Nazih Ghadban
To A Friend 22 September 2008
Nazih got back to me and just said to find a new fingerboard, but I'm going
to try superglue anyway.
To A Friend 25 September 2008
It worked fine - and you wouldn't even notice unless you knew
To Nazih Ghadbhan 24 October, 2008
Hello Nazih,
Thank you for your advice about the fingerboard (Oud 953 - Nisreen). I have
filled the grooves for the moment and will fit a new fingerboard as soon as
possible.
I would also like to replace the wooden nut with a bone one. The wound
strings stick a bit when tuning, even after using graphite or soap to
lubricate the grooves. This can be a problem when recording with other
instruments as you need to be tuned exactly for this (i.e. A=440).
I have made and replaced a nut successfully on an (cheap!) oud before, but I was wondering if you could send me a replacement made by yourself? I will of course pay for materials, time and postage. If this is not convenient I understand.
Also, whether I make the nut or you send me one, I need to know the
following. Is the nut glued on with hide glue? There is a slot in the neck
behind the nut (see picture). Is this there to make the removal of the nut
easier? I notice you can see through this slot.
Finally just to say I play your oud every day - it is wonderful!
Regards,
Bernie Stocks
25 October 2008
Good day Bernie
I hope everything is doing well with you,
Regarding a nut of bone,usually I make the nut when I have the oud To fit it accurately,for me it is hard to make a nut without trying it On the oud,really I am sorry Some oud makers put a small drop of glue at the middle of the nut, others let it mobile,a nut stable or mobile is the same . Enjoy your oud Bernie ! I remember #oud #953 had a lovely deep and rich arabic sound .
I attach you some pics of your oud taken during the work.
Have happy time
Sincerely yours
Nazih
To A Friend 10 January 2009
After lots of deliberation and contact with my Lebanese Luthier I
replaced the nut on that oud with a bone one. In the end it took a
couple of hours and was easy peasy. The old one cracked off no problem, I left the new one unglued and it now tunes a treat.
Result!
Hello,
(Je peut ecrire en francais si vous voulez)
In January I bought your oud 953 (2002) from a third party, and I am very, very pleased with it. However recently some buzzing has started, particularly at the second finger position, where there is some groove wear. This was there when I bought it but seems to be getting worse (although I do need new strings).
I don't want to send it back for repair, but wondered if you had replacement finger boards? 'Special fibre' I believe. There is a very good luthier near my home who could fit this.
Also I thought a temporarily filling the grooves with superglue and then smoothing down (I have done this successfully with worn violin finger boards). This isn't pretty but does no harm to the oud.
I wonder what your thoughts are?
Thanks,
Bernie Stocks
20 September 2008
Dear Bernie
thanks for your email,
my congratulations for the oud #953 it is an excellent oud,
Regarding the fingerboard I suggest you to remove the old one of special fiber and let the luthier at your region puts one fingerboard of ebony or of any hard wood.
I think the old fingerboard is glued with hide glue so it is easy to take it off.
Best regards
Nazih Ghadban
To A Friend 22 September 2008
Nazih got back to me and just said to find a new fingerboard, but I'm going
to try superglue anyway.
To A Friend 25 September 2008
It worked fine - and you wouldn't even notice unless you knew
To Nazih Ghadbhan 24 October, 2008
Hello Nazih,
Thank you for your advice about the fingerboard (Oud 953 - Nisreen). I have
filled the grooves for the moment and will fit a new fingerboard as soon as
possible.
I would also like to replace the wooden nut with a bone one. The wound
strings stick a bit when tuning, even after using graphite or soap to
lubricate the grooves. This can be a problem when recording with other
instruments as you need to be tuned exactly for this (i.e. A=440).
I have made and replaced a nut successfully on an (cheap!) oud before, but I was wondering if you could send me a replacement made by yourself? I will of course pay for materials, time and postage. If this is not convenient I understand.
Also, whether I make the nut or you send me one, I need to know the
following. Is the nut glued on with hide glue? There is a slot in the neck
behind the nut (see picture). Is this there to make the removal of the nut
easier? I notice you can see through this slot.
Finally just to say I play your oud every day - it is wonderful!
Regards,
Bernie Stocks
25 October 2008
Good day Bernie
I hope everything is doing well with you,
Regarding a nut of bone,usually I make the nut when I have the oud To fit it accurately,for me it is hard to make a nut without trying it On the oud,really I am sorry Some oud makers put a small drop of glue at the middle of the nut, others let it mobile,a nut stable or mobile is the same . Enjoy your oud Bernie ! I remember #oud #953 had a lovely deep and rich arabic sound .
I attach you some pics of your oud taken during the work.
Have happy time
Sincerely yours
Nazih
To A Friend 10 January 2009
After lots of deliberation and contact with my Lebanese Luthier I
replaced the nut on that oud with a bone one. In the end it took a
couple of hours and was easy peasy. The old one cracked off no problem, I left the new one unglued and it now tunes a treat.
Result!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)