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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.
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.
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!
Man, I'd like to play that one time... I call you Mister Lucky.
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.
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.
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 :D) 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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
Looks like it would be a fun instrument to play with. Why do all other cultures have cooler stringed instruments than ours?! :D
It's their lack of interest in a 12-tone scale. We're so friggen concerned about being "well tempered," ya know... :)Quote:
Originally Posted by elicross
Oh, I know.Quote:
Originally Posted by silent j.
Don't forget: "Never rub another man's rubab!"
Does that thing take "three men in a tub" to play it?
:biglaugh:Quote:
Originally Posted by silent j.
If I actually get good at it, I'll need to be known as Rubab Red.
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? :wah:
:laughing:Quote:
Originally Posted by Kap'n
Where else can you get a Batman reference and a Les Paul reference in the same thread?
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by silent j.
If you get good enough to play Midwestern music on it, you could be Rubab Seger.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kap'n
:bluesbros
Arrrrrrgh!
Do you think the rain'll hurt the rubab?
Very cool instrument--------put on a Floyd Rose and you're set!