{"product_id":"premium-arabic-oud-sala-a8","title":"Premium Arabic Oud SALA-A8","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RwFkyYSatU8?si=t9pjFmw4vknJCRHR\" title=\"YouTube video player\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sala-product\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003ePremium Arabic Oud SALA-A8\u003c\/strong\u003e is a Luthier's Choice instrument from our Sala line — built to deliver the deep, warm Arabic oud voice characteristic of Cairo, Damascus, and Aleppo traditions. Hand-built in Istanbul with selected tonewoods, this oud sits at the most popular price point for serious Arabic music students worldwide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sala-callout\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Recommendation —\u003c\/strong\u003e Buy the SALA-A8 if you are committing to Arabic oud as your primary instrument and want a Luthier's Choice level build without entering the $1,500+ premium tier. If you prefer Turkish oud tonality (brighter, more nasal), see our \u003ca href=\"\/ar\/collections\/turkish-oud\"\u003eTurkish oud collection\u003c\/a\u003e. For a more affordable entry while you decide, contact us about student-tier Arabic ouds.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eArabic oud vs Turkish oud — picking the right one\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArabic ouds are tuned lower (typically C2 G2 A2 D3 G3 C4 from low to high) and use larger bowl bodies and floating bridges to produce a deeper, more sustained tone — the sound most associated with Egyptian and Levantine maqam traditions. Turkish ouds are tuned higher with smaller bodies, producing a brighter, more pronounced upper-mid voice favored in Ottoman classical and modern Turkish makam. The SALA-A8 is purpose-built for Arabic tuning and idiom — choosing between Arabic and Turkish oud is the most important decision before any other oud feature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest for\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"sala-list good\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStudents of Arabic maqam committing to the instrument for serious practice\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlayers moving up from a student-grade oud and ready for a Luthier's Choice instrument\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRecording musicians needing the characteristic Arabic deep-warm voice\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConservatory students in Arabic music programs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCross-genre players blending oud into contemporary, fusion, or world ensembles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"sala-specs\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eType\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eArabic oud\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTop\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelected Cedar\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBowl\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWenge ribs (handpicked)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eNeck\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWenge with Ebony fingerboard\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTuning\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eArabic standard — C2 G2 A2 D3 G3 C4 (re-stringable to other Arabic tunings)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eCourses\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6 (5 double + 1 single bass)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eIncludes\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft case, replacement strings, risha (plectrum)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eCountry of origin\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIstanbul, Türkiye — built by Sala Muzik luthiers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSALA-A8 vs other Arabic oud tiers\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"sala-compare\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTier\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePrice range\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBuild\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBest for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/salamuzik.com\/collections\/arabic-oud\"\u003eBeginner Arabic oud\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e$400 -$500\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-handmade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginners testing commitment\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"highlight\"\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSALA-A8 (Luthier's Choice)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e$899\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHand-built Sala line\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e Intermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/salamuzik.com\/collections\/miras-ouds\"\u003ePremium Arabic ouds\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e$2,000-3,000+\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaster luthier (Miras makers)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eConcert \/ professional\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sala-faq\"\u003e\n\u003cdetails open=\"\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eCan I tune this oud to Turkish tuning?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTechnically yes, but the bowl size, neck length, and string scaling are optimized for Arabic tuning. Turkish tuning on an Arabic oud produces compromised tone and intonation. Buy a Turkish oud for Turkish music — see our \u003ca href=\"\/ar\/collections\/turkish-oud\"\u003eTurkish oud collection\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails open=\"\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eIs the bowl glued or floating?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bowl is fully glued with traditional fish-glue construction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails open=\"\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eWhat plectrum (risha) is included?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA standard plastic risha designed for Arabic oud strings. Many advanced players prefer traditional turtle-shell or horn rishas — these are available as add-ons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails open=\"\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eHow often do I need to change strings?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCasual practice: every 3–6 months. Daily practice or performance: every 1–3 months. Single bass strings tend to last longer than the paired courses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails open=\"\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eDo you offer hardshell cases?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — a hardshell case is available as an add-on at checkout (recommended for international shipping or travel).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails open=\"\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eDo you ship internationally?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, worldwide. Ouds are fragile — we ship in custom-fitted boxes with extra foam protection, fully insured DHL or FedEx Express for international orders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sala-trust\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCrafted in Istanbul\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBy Sala Muzik luthiers · since 2009\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWorldwide shipping\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCarrier chosen at checkout\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e1-year warranty\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e+ direct luthier support\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e10-day returns\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom delivery, original condition\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Sala","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":34429587292315,"sku":"SSALAA8","price":899.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1619\/7281\/products\/premium-arabic-oud-sala-a8-ouds-muzik-string-instrument-musical-652.jpg?v=1627157186","url":"https:\/\/salamuzik.com\/ar\/products\/premium-arabic-oud-sala-a8","provider":"Sala Muzik","version":"1.0","type":"link"}