Turkish Laouta

[Dustin]

Hey,

Does anyone here have any experience with this type of Laouta?
http://cgi.ebay.com/TURKISH-LAOUTA-O...ht_1940wt_1167

It is tuned a 5th lower than the Irish bouzouki, but evidently uses the same strings and risha (sp?) as an oud.

All of the ones I have ever heard have been ones from Greece. I am curious if anyone here has bought one of these Turkish no brand name models?

I was contemplating buying one of these models and having my friend fix it up a little (new tuning pegs ect.). I really like the layout of the bouzouki, but thought with this having nylon strings it would sound more middle-eastern than my Irish bouzouki

Thanks!

[ChrisWalters]

I have bought a no name turkish oud from Andreas... It was junk. I can't speak for their Laouta - but I would not expect much....

[Dustin]

Thanks for the info.

What was the problems with the oud, if you don't mind me asking?

[ChrisWalters]

even with new strings, the sound was really ######.. hollow and not full is the best way I can think to describe it... I'm sure it has something to do with the soundboard and the bracing... but I'm not luthier...

The neck, bridge and pegs weren't that bad though... the neck was straight, the action not too high and the fingerboard was level... It just didn't have that punch that you find with Turkish ouds... In fact, it didn't have punch at all.... If I had to guess, I would guess that the soundboard was made too thick.... but that's just speculation....

Also, Andreas was really easy to deal with... the shipping was fast and the oud was well protected...

If you decide to pick up the Laouta, I would love to hear that it's a good instrument... I'm afraid my oud experiance has put me off of buying unnamed pieces.

[Dustin]

Thanks for sharing that.

Yeah, I planned on having a little bit of work done to this if I get it. It helps that the fiddle player in my band (who also plays the bouzouki) does lutheir stuff, so he said he can get new pegs on it and replace the nut if it catches the strings too much (like my old oud).

I do notice that the quality for cheeper ouds is better for Turkish instruments than Egyptian instruments.

I will definitely share if I do buy this laouta.

Thanks again!

[zoukboy]

Originally Posted by Dustin

Hey,

Does anyone here have any experience with this type of Laouta?
http://cgi.ebay.com/TURKISH-LAOUTA-O...ht_1940wt_1167

It is tuned a 5th lower than the Irish bouzouki, but evidently uses the same strings and risha (sp?) as an oud.

All of the ones I have ever heard have been ones from Greece. I am curious if anyone here has bought one of these Turkish no brand name models?

I was contemplating buying one of these models and having my friend fix it up a little (new tuning pegs ect.). I really like the layout of the bouzouki, but thought with this having nylon strings it would sound more middle-eastern than my Irish bouzouki

Thanks!

Dustin,

I play this instrument. It is not a "laouta", it is actually a "lavta", (pr. lahffta) and it is not tuned a 5th below Irish bouzouki. Actual tuning is DADA (like the lowest 4 strings in DADGAD on a guitar with the G up to A). Anyone selling an instrument they call "laouta" doesn't know beans about the instrument and so what they are selling is bound to be crapola.

Traditionally this instrument was used in Asia Minor music by Turkish, Greek and Armenian musicians to accompany the politiki lyra (or kemence). It is undergoing something of a revival.

Check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnQqnluPqHg

[Dustin]

WOOOO! Thanks for this information, Roger! I really appreciate that

[Kent Martin]

Sweet video.

[Dustin]

I ended up getting a Sukar oud instead (model 14). Man, I love this instrument so much! Between my Irish bouzouki and that oud, I can cover the sounds I want