The Turkish oud is the brighter, more articulate branch of the oud family — the lead voice of Turkish classical music and the fasil ensemble. Slightly smaller than the Arabic oud and tuned about a step higher, with a thinner soundboard and tenser strings, it speaks quickly and clearly, which is what carries fast Turkish repertoire and crisp taksim improvisation. At Sala Muzik we set up and inspect a full range of Turkish ouds, from forgiving beginner instruments to master-built ouds by named luthiers, every one checked and tuned before it ships.
Quick Recommendation — Beginners: the Turkish Mahogany Oud AO-101M ($399) — handmade, comfortable, ebony pegs. The all-rounder: Professional Turkish Oud HSO-302 ($599), available in Turkish, Arabic or Syrian tuning. Premium tone: Premium Turkish Cocobolo Oud SALA-C4 ($1,999). Professional, master-built: Special Turkish Brazilian Tulip Oud MRS-40 by Miras ($2,999).
Quick picks by player type
Best premium tone
Premium Turkish Cocobolo Oud SALA-C4$1,999 · Cocobolo and cedar, refined projection
The oud family — explore the other types
The Turkish oud is one branch of a wider family. If you are still deciding, compare it with the related traditions and shapes:
Arabic OudLarger body · deep, full tone · Arabic maqam Syrian OudArabic-style · rich tone, fine detailing Electric OudBuilt-in pickup · stage + silent practice All OudsThe complete oud collection Oud AccessoriesStrings, cases, risha picks, pickups
Turkish vs Arabic oud — which one to start with?
The two main oud traditions sound and feel different. A Turkish oud is slightly smaller and tuned about a step higher for a bright, articulate tone; an Arabic oud is larger and tuned lower for a deep, full voice. Choose the one that matches the music you want to play.
| Feature | Turkish Oud | Arabic Oud |
|---|---|---|
| Body | Slightly smaller bowl | Larger bowl |
| Tuning | About a step higher | Lower, deeper |
| Tone | Bright, focused, articulate | Deep, full, bassy |
| Scale length | Shorter (~58-59 cm) | Longer (~60-62 cm) |
| Best music | Turkish classical and folk | Arabic maqam, classical takht |
| Best for | Players of Turkish repertoire | Players of Arabic repertoire |
Full breakdown in our blog: Choosing the Right Oud — A Guide to Types, Styles and What to Look For.
What makes a quality Turkish oud
Four things separate a starter Turkish oud from a professional instrument: tonewoods, the soundboard, the fretless neck, and setup.
- Tonewoods — a mahogany, walnut or maple bowl under a solid spruce face is the standard. Tight, even grain ages and resonates far better than laminate.
- The soundboard — the Turkish oud uses a thin, carefully braced spruce face. That thinness is what gives the bright, quick response; it also makes face quality and bracing critical.
- Fretless fingerboard — usually ebony, and it must be true and smooth. With no frets, the fingerboard sets the intonation directly.
- Pegs and setup — well-fitted ebony pegs hold tune; accurate string action keeps the oud comfortable to play. Every Turkish oud we ship is set up and tuned first.
A short history
The oud — written ud in Turkish — reached Anatolia centuries ago and became central to Ottoman court music and to Turkish classical music. Its ancestor is the Persian barbat, and the Turkish oud took its present pear shape and bright voice over generations of Istanbul makers. In the twentieth century the virtuoso Serif Muhiddin Targan transformed it into a solo concert instrument and expanded its technique, and luthiers such as Mustafa Copcuoglu and Mehmet Caymaz have carried that standard forward. Today the Turkish oud is the lead voice of fasil ensembles and a fixture of Turkish classical and folk music.
FAQ
Is the Turkish oud a good instrument for beginners?
Yes. Because the oud is fretless, beginners build ear and intonation naturally from the first lesson. A well-set-up beginner Turkish oud such as the AO-101M is comfortable to fret and already sounds genuinely musical, so early practice is rewarding rather than frustrating.
What is the difference between a Turkish and an Arabic oud?
A Turkish oud is slightly smaller, with a shorter scale and a higher tuning, giving a bright, articulate tone suited to Turkish classical and folk music. An Arabic oud is larger and tuned lower for a deep, full sound suited to Arabic maqam. Neither is harder to learn — the choice is musical.
How is a Turkish oud tuned?
A common Turkish tuning, from the lowest course to the highest, is C#-F#-B-E-A-D. It sits about a step above Arabic tuning, which gives the Turkish oud its bright, articulate voice. We carry string sets matched to Turkish tuning.
How many strings does a Turkish oud have?
The modern Turkish oud has eleven strings in six courses: five paired courses plus a single bass string. The extra bass string widens the range across three octaves. Some special instruments add a twelfth or thirteenth string.
Will my Turkish oud arrive ready to play?
It is strung, set up and inspected by our specialists before dispatch and ships well protected, but it will almost certainly need re-tuning on arrival. An oud rarely holds its tuning through a long journey — string tension shifts in transit. That is completely normal, not a fault or shipping damage.
How much does a good Turkish oud cost?
A reliable, well-set-up beginner Turkish oud starts around $350-$450. A professional all-rounder sits near $600, premium handcrafted ouds run around $1,300-$2,000, and master-built instruments from named luthiers start near $3,000. Every tier is inspected and tuned before shipping.
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