Description
This Dimitris Rapakousios Arabic 11-String Oud was built during 2007 in Athens and while its decoration is minimal, it displays the maker's exceptional skill. Well known for his work with Arabic, Greek and Turkish instruments, Rapakousios has clearly mastered his craft in both modern and traditional contexts.
This is a professional grade instrument in every respect and is in very good, clean condition with minimal wear. The woods chosen are few and commonly used in higher end instruments - a Spruce top, Walnut staves for the bowl, neck veneer, pick guard and rosettes, with the string box also being Walnut with a Maple lining. The neck block and core are likely Basswood (also known as Linden) for lightness. The tuning pegs, bridge and fingerboard are all Ebony. Currently nearly twenty years old, this excellent instrument has no signs of cracks or delaminations, a further indication that the woods were well seasoned prior to use.
As an Arabic style Oud compared to Turkish style, this instrument has a longer scale length of approximately 615mm, a larger bowl with wider top, and is tuned lower for a full, rich bass response. The scale length ends slightly in front of the bridge, as the anchor knot supports the string about 1mm in front. The longer scale provides approximately equal string tension with a shorter scale, higher tuned version.
The original black molded hard shell case is included, and includes a case strap and several Reesha strips.
Dimitris Rapakousios Arabic 11-String Oud Materials and Construction
As mentioned, this Dimitris Rapakousios Oud pairs a ladder-braced Spruce top with extensive use of Black Walnut for the rest of the instrument and its minimalist decorations. Comprising both 'sides' and 'back', the bowl is built up of 21 Black Walnut staves, connected to a basswood neck block. The neck core slides into the block with a standard dovetail - horizontally, not vertically as a steel string guitar would be built. The interior of the bowl is lined with parchment strips and painted with a watery glue, which slightly expands the interior cells of the stave and 'freezes' them in that position, increasing strength.
The string box, constructed of Maple with Walnut facings, slips into the core with a traditional V-splice which provides maximum gluing surface. The neck core is 'wrapped' with a walnut veneer, slipped in and fixed into place with the ebony fingerboard.
The instrument is completed with a hand-applied clear finish, often referred to as French Polish. The top receives a very light coat to minimize restrictions to its vibration, while the bowl and neck receive more coats allowing for gloss.
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There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here |
DETAILS:
- Instrument Model: Arabic 11-String Oud
- Instrument Manufacturer: Dimitris Rapakousios
- Instrument year: 2007
- Instrument Finish: Natural French Polish
- Instrument Class: Oud, Other Instruments
- Instrument serial number: N/A, built during 2007 in Athens Greece by Dmitris Rapakousios
- Country of Origin: Greece
- Instrument Condition: Very Good
- Right-handed
- Instrument Weight Imperial: 2.44 lbs
- Instrument Weight Metric: 1.20 kgs
- Scale Length Imperial: 24.21 in
- Scale Length Metric: 615 mm
- Nut Width Imperial: 1.510 in
- Nut Width Metric: 38.36 mm
- CITIES Documentation Required: No
- Case included: Yes
- Case original: Yes
- Items in Case: Reesha, case strap
- Case Type: Hard Shell Molded, Black
- Consignment: Yes
- Product ID: 191169
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There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here |