New Rubab Day!

Kap'n · 10-07-2009, 09:48 AM

I was just given a funky instrument the other day. Purchased by my late uncle, and finally made its way to me.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubab

Unfortunately, it's sustained a bit of damage. The skin head (akin to a banjo) is damaged, as is the bridge and one of the tuning pegs.

Does anybody know of any reputable repairer of ethnic stringed instruments? I'd like to get it into playing condition, and maybe even learn something on it.

silent j. · 10-07-2009, 09:59 AM

Hey bob a rubab!

There must be someone in NYC that could deal with that. I spent a couple days looking for someone in this part of the Midwest who even owns a shamisen (forget being able to play it) and came up dry.

Kap'n · 10-07-2009, 10:11 AM

You would think so. Web searches aren't turning up much. There's a couple of places in CA and Texas of all places, and the House of Musical Traditions in Takoma Park, but I'm not turning up much in NYC or Boston. I'd rather not have to ship it.

It's really a pretty bizarre instrument. The whole neck is hollow - a la Orville Gibson, with lots and lots of little sound holes in what would be the fingerboard on a more (less?) traditional instrument. All the sympathetic strings have a micro-nut like the fifth string on a banjo, but go into the neck to be wound on those friction pegs on the side. Obviously not designed for ease of restringing!

silent j. · 10-07-2009, 10:14 AM

Man, I'd like to play that one time... I call you Mister Lucky.

Kap'n · 10-07-2009, 10:27 AM

I can't imagine ever mastering it, but getting at least to a point where I can learn a tune or two would be pretty cool.

The body is carved out of a single chunk of wood, and reminds me of a Spanish Galleon in some ways. Funky black and white inlays that could never be mistaken for anything but handmade. It's got a lot of character.

NeoFauve · 10-07-2009, 10:30 AM

That is too cool.

There are some rubab players on Youtube. If any of them are US based, maybe an email could help you find someone.

Here's a link to an Oud forum.

pc · 10-07-2009, 10:34 AM

Awesome! I have a Bouzouki which I can't play for the life of me, but I love to mess around with it and pretend that it helps me connect to my heritage a bit more.

A guy I know (and who is likely also a cousin

) makes his living in a Greek band doing all the weddings, festivals and private parties for Greeks from the Detroit/Cleveland/Pittsburgh triangle. I contemplated asking him how to "lower the action" on the strings, but I'm pretty sure he'd hit me on the forehead and call me the Greek equivalent of wuss.

Kap'n · 10-07-2009, 10:45 AM

I'll be checking out those clips. I'm familiar with the sound of Afghan music, but picking out which instrument is producing which sound is pretty tough if you've never been exposed to live performance.

NeoFauve · 10-07-2009, 10:55 AM

There's a project and repair area on that forum. So maybe somebody can point you toward some help there.

I wonder if they debate "mulberry vs rosewood."

chuckocaster · 10-07-2009, 11:28 AM

hey kap, you might want to call a place that fixes violins and other classical instruments. they might be able to fix it, or point you in the direction of someone who can.

Kap'n · 10-07-2009, 11:40 AM

Fortunately, we actually have a few real luthiers within 50 miles. Paul Neri, George Youngblood and Kim Walker. I don't know if they deal with such 'coarse' instruments, though. They might be able to hook me up, though.

elicross · 10-07-2009, 11:43 AM

Looks like it would be a fun instrument to play with. Why do all other cultures have cooler stringed instruments than ours?!

silent j. · 10-07-2009, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elicross

Looks like it would be a fun instrument to play with. Why do all other cultures have cooler stringed instruments than ours?!

It's their lack of interest in a 12-tone scale. We're so friggen concerned about being "well tempered," ya know... :)

NeoFauve · 10-07-2009, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silent j.

It's their lack of interest in a 12-tone scale. We're so friggen concerned about being "well tempered," ya know... :)

Oh, I know.

silent j. · 10-07-2009, 11:57 AM

Don't forget: "Never rub another man's rubab!"

Mesotech · 10-07-2009, 12:00 PM

Does that thing take "three men in a tub" to play it?

elicross · 10-07-2009, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silent j.

Don't forget: "Never rub another man's rubab!"

Kap'n · 10-07-2009, 12:01 PM

If I actually get good at it, I'll need to be known as Rubab Red.

NeoFauve · 10-07-2009, 12:02 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by silent j.
Don't forget: "Never rub another man's rubab!"

What if he asks you to, in a public place even?

elicross · 10-07-2009, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kap'n

If I actually get good at it, I'll need to be known as Rubab Red.

Where else can you get a Batman reference and a Les Paul reference in the same thread?

silent j. · 10-07-2009, 12:05 PM

Ha!

You know, that photo makes it seem as if the rumor is true: that Henry is never as happy as when he is destroying his company's product.

Kap'n · 10-07-2009, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silent j.

Ha!

You know, that photo makes it seem as if the rumor is true: that Henry is never as happy as when he is destroying his company's product.

I was thinking the same thing.

NeoFauve · 10-07-2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kap'n

If I actually get good at it, I'll need to be known as Rubab Red.

If you get good enough to play Midwestern music on it, you could be Rubab Seger.

silent j. · 10-07-2009, 12:22 PM

Arrrrrrgh!

NeoFauve · 10-07-2009, 12:27 PM

Do you think the rain'll hurt the rubab?

refin · 10-08-2009, 08:44 AM

Very cool instrument--------put on a Floyd Rose and you're set!

10-07-2009, 09:48 AM	#1
Kap'n Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Like, nowhere, maaaan Posts: 17,700	New Rubab Day! I was just given a funky instrument the other day. Purchased by my late uncle, and finally made its way to me. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubab Unfortunately, it's sustained a bit of damage. The skin head (akin to a banjo) is damaged, as is the bridge and one of the tuning pegs. Does anybody know of any reputable repairer of ethnic stringed instruments? I'd like to get it into playing condition, and maybe even learn something on it. __________________ "I concur with you strictly in your opinion of the comparative merits of atheism and demonism, and really see nothing but the latter in the being worshiped by many who think themselves Christians." - Thomas Jefferson

10-07-2009, 09:59 AM	#2
silent j. Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: In the eternal sunshine of a spotless mind. Posts: 478	Re: New Rubab Day! Hey bob a rubab! There must be someone in NYC that could deal with that. I spent a couple days looking for someone in this part of the Midwest who even owns a shamisen (forget being able to play it) and came up dry.

10-07-2009, 10:11 AM	#3
Kap'n Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Like, nowhere, maaaan Posts: 17,700	Re: New Rubab Day! You would think so. Web searches aren't turning up much. There's a couple of places in CA and Texas of all places, and the House of Musical Traditions in Takoma Park, but I'm not turning up much in NYC or Boston. I'd rather not have to ship it. It's really a pretty bizarre instrument. The whole neck is hollow - a la Orville Gibson, with lots and lots of little sound holes in what would be the fingerboard on a more (less?) traditional instrument. All the sympathetic strings have a micro-nut like the fifth string on a banjo, but go into the neck to be wound on those friction pegs on the side. Obviously not designed for ease of restringing! __________________ "I concur with you strictly in your opinion of the comparative merits of atheism and demonism, and really see nothing but the latter in the being worshiped by many who think themselves Christians." - Thomas Jefferson

10-07-2009, 10:14 AM	#4
silent j. Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: In the eternal sunshine of a spotless mind. Posts: 478	Re: New Rubab Day! Man, I'd like to play that one time... I call you Mister Lucky.

10-07-2009, 10:27 AM	#5
Kap'n Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Like, nowhere, maaaan Posts: 17,700	Re: New Rubab Day! I can't imagine ever mastering it, but getting at least to a point where I can learn a tune or two would be pretty cool. The body is carved out of a single chunk of wood, and reminds me of a Spanish Galleon in some ways. Funky black and white inlays that could never be mistaken for anything but handmade. It's got a lot of character. __________________ "I concur with you strictly in your opinion of the comparative merits of atheism and demonism, and really see nothing but the latter in the being worshiped by many who think themselves Christians." - Thomas Jefferson

10-07-2009, 10:30 AM	#6
NeoFauve Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: in interesting times Posts: 11,627	Re: New Rubab Day! That is too cool. There are some rubab players on Youtube. If any of them are US based, maybe an email could help you find someone. Here's a link to an Oud forum. __________________ BOGGY 2012

10-07-2009, 10:34 AM	#7
pc TFF Stage Crew/Moderator Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 6,948	Re: New Rubab Day! Awesome! I have a Bouzouki which I can't play for the life of me, but I love to mess around with it and pretend that it helps me connect to my heritage a bit more. A guy I know (and who is likely also a cousin ) makes his living in a Greek band doing all the weddings, festivals and private parties for Greeks from the Detroit/Cleveland/Pittsburgh triangle. I contemplated asking him how to "lower the action" on the strings, but I'm pretty sure he'd hit me on the forehead and call me the Greek equivalent of wuss. __________________ pc.com

10-07-2009, 10:45 AM	#8
Kap'n Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Like, nowhere, maaaan Posts: 17,700	Re: New Rubab Day! I'll be checking out those clips. I'm familiar with the sound of Afghan music, but picking out which instrument is producing which sound is pretty tough if you've never been exposed to live performance. __________________ "I concur with you strictly in your opinion of the comparative merits of atheism and demonism, and really see nothing but the latter in the being worshiped by many who think themselves Christians." - Thomas Jefferson

10-07-2009, 10:55 AM	#9
NeoFauve Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: in interesting times Posts: 11,627	Re: New Rubab Day! There's a project and repair area on that forum. So maybe somebody can point you toward some help there. I wonder if they debate "mulberry vs rosewood." __________________ BOGGY 2012

10-07-2009, 11:28 AM	#10
chuckocaster Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: spanish for lard. Posts: 6,577	Re: New Rubab Day! hey kap, you might want to call a place that fixes violins and other classical instruments. they might be able to fix it, or point you in the direction of someone who can. __________________ "don't worry, i'm a professional!"

10-07-2009, 11:40 AM	#11
Kap'n Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Like, nowhere, maaaan Posts: 17,700	Re: New Rubab Day! Fortunately, we actually have a few real luthiers within 50 miles. Paul Neri, George Youngblood and Kim Walker. I don't know if they deal with such 'coarse' instruments, though. They might be able to hook me up, though. __________________ "I concur with you strictly in your opinion of the comparative merits of atheism and demonism, and really see nothing but the latter in the being worshiped by many who think themselves Christians." - Thomas Jefferson

10-07-2009, 11:43 AM	#12
elicross Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4,870	Re: New Rubab Day! Looks like it would be a fun instrument to play with. Why do all other cultures have cooler stringed instruments than ours?! __________________ "We can have democracy in this country, or we can have great wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can't have both." -- Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis

10-07-2009, 11:57 AM	#15
silent j. Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: In the eternal sunshine of a spotless mind. Posts: 478	Re: New Rubab Day! Don't forget: "Never rub another man's rubab!"

10-07-2009, 12:00 PM	#16
Mesotech Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Lafayette, LoUiSiAna Posts: 2,422	Re: New Rubab Day! Does that thing take "three men in a tub" to play it?

10-07-2009, 12:01 PM	#18
Kap'n Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Like, nowhere, maaaan Posts: 17,700	Re: New Rubab Day! If I actually get good at it, I'll need to be known as Rubab Red. __________________ "I concur with you strictly in your opinion of the comparative merits of atheism and demonism, and really see nothing but the latter in the being worshiped by many who think themselves Christians." - Thomas Jefferson

10-07-2009, 12:02 PM	#19
NeoFauve Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: in interesting times Posts: 11,627	Re: New Rubab Day! Quote: Originally Posted by silent j. Don't forget: "Never rub another man's rubab!" What if he asks you to, in a public place even? __________________ BOGGY 2012

10-07-2009, 12:05 PM	#21
silent j. Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: In the eternal sunshine of a spotless mind. Posts: 478	Re: New Rubab Day! Ha! You know, that photo makes it seem as if the rumor is true: that Henry is never as happy as when he is destroying his company's product.

10-07-2009, 12:22 PM	#24
silent j. Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: In the eternal sunshine of a spotless mind. Posts: 478	Re: New Rubab Day! Arrrrrrgh!

10-07-2009, 12:27 PM	#25
NeoFauve Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: in interesting times Posts: 11,627	Re: New Rubab Day! Do you think the rain'll hurt the rubab? __________________ BOGGY 2012

10-08-2009, 08:44 AM	#26
refin Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3,305	Re: New Rubab Day! Very cool instrument--------put on a Floyd Rose and you're set! __________________ "My flesh and my heart fail...but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." PS. 73:26 MY JAMS-- http://www.soundclick.com/bands/defa...&content=music "America," said Joseph Stalin, "is like a healthy body and its resistance is threefold: its patriotism, its morality, and its spiritual life.If we can undermine these three areas, America will collapse from within." "Life's tough......It's even tougher if you're stupid," John Wayne

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