Hibari Arbi Lute (Oud)

[Philipp Lerche]

Hey guys !
So nice that we have this section in this forum, not only CG !
I want to share an interesting project of mine.

During my studies of oud construction I stumbled over an old relative of the oud. The oud arbi or kiutra.
I found not much info about this instrument but what I've seen made me fell in love.
It is slightly smaller than oud, scale length unknown for me, has 4-6 courses, a more or less straight pegbox and has these beautiful applications/clasp at the neck joint and endblock.
So my target was to build an oud/lute with arbi elements, a typical oud bracing pattern and this straight lute pegbox with machine heads.
It has 60cm scale 11 strings, slightly v-neck, low action and the sound is oud like.

This are the clasps during the building process.




And here the oil finished lute.
woods are pear (neck, pegbox, body) walnut (body) ind.rosewood (bridge, fingerboard, pegbox) spruce (top) maple (spacers)

[Big bird]

I know nothing of the instrument, that being said, it is beautiful piece of artwork. Be nice to hear a recording of it.

[vesa]

Looks good Phil, but no frets? What´s the tuning(like a guitar)?

[Philipp Lerche]

Thanks for your nice words guys !!!
It has it's origin in oriental countries where many instruments are played without frets to have quarter tones available which is fundamental for arabic music.
The tuning is a typical turkish oud tuning "E A B e a d" and the instrument itself is not far away from the standard oud.
So the sound is comparable with oud, I have a record but it's not good, in summer I will meet a syrian player who plays very good !
Then I will record again and post it here.

[tom0311]

Wow. Beautiful work, Phil. I heard an Oud in person last year. Cool instrument.

[Amr Maamoun]

Beautiful instrument Phil!! I have been looking online for information on how to build a Oud, but information is very little out there...You seem to be an expert (to even know how to differentiate relatives of the oud!!), any tips?

[Marcus Dominelli]

I made an oud a few years ago. This one of yours is beautiful! Thanks for posting the pictures.

[Philipp Lerche]

Thanks alot guys !!

Amr Maamoun !
If you plan to build an oud probably the best source for information is "Mike's oud forum".
But it seems to be down for a while now, if it does not open again write me PN I can support you with plans and stuff.
A nice impression will give the site of "Khalaf Oud".

I can give you one important tip: use a mold for constructing the body !
It means more work in first place but you have not so much trouble like building it free handed.

[Amr Maamoun]

Hi Phil,

first let me re-admire your instrument again. I like the simplicity and beauty of the form...however I noticed that you used guitar tuning machines on it, why not traditional tuning pegs? Wouldn't that be cheaper?

Thanks alot guys !!

Amr Maamoun !
If you plan to build an oud probably the best source for information is "Mike's oud forum".
But it seems to be down for a while now, if it does not open again write me PN I can support you with plans and stuff.
A nice impression will give the site of "Khalaf Oud".

I can give you one important tip: use a mold for constructing the body !
It means more work in first place but you have not so much trouble like building it free handed.

No the website is still running, as long as you do not approach the instruction page directly from the main page. Apparently, they base their instruments on Oud Construction and Repair by Richard Hankey.

Thank you dude, I'll sure be coming to you in case of problems when I start building in a few months.

Cheers and keep up creating awesome instruments,
Amr

[Marcus Dominelli]

I like the simplicity and beauty of the form...however I noticed that you used guitar tuning machines on it, why not traditional tuning pegs? Wouldn't that be cheaper?

Haha! I just noticed that. I was busy admiring the wood, and I did not notice those machine tuners! I think pegs are much better for the oud, since they would keep the headstock nice and lightweight.

[Philipp Lerche]

Oh yeah the machine heads !

For me they are much more comfortable than pegs, I know pegs are used normally for a traditional instrument.
The weight of the headstock is increased but you will not notice that while playing.
Think about guitars with pegs or machine heads... do you really feel a difference ?
It's a big discussion which I'm involved since I built the first lute with machine tuners.
I break with traditions and keep using them, I like them all players who bought my lutes/ouds are perfectly satisfied with these too.

Amr are you planning to buy Richard Hankey's book of Oud construction ?
Are you able to read german ? I have a very detailed plan with pictures in german language.

[Amr Maamoun]

Hi Phil, yes I ordered the Hankey's book, partly thanks to you, and should arrive tomorrow. And, yes I can read German, would be great if you could share that plan! I Would appreciate it!

Cheers,
Amr

[Philipp Lerche]

It is definitely another approach than Hankey's but very helpful !!
Take a look ---->
http://www.oudinfo.de/Uberblick/Oudbaue ... hnitte.htm

[Amr Maamoun]

Sorry for the delay. Thank you very much, it did not occur to me to google in German searching for plans.