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!
