Premium Arap Ud SALA-A8
- Limited availability – Ready to ship
The Premium Arabic Oud SALA-A8 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.
Arabic oud vs Turkish oud — picking the right one
Arabic 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.
Best for
- Students of Arabic maqam committing to the instrument for serious practice
- Players moving up from a student-grade oud and ready for a Luthier's Choice instrument
- Recording musicians needing the characteristic Arabic deep-warm voice
- Conservatory students in Arabic music programs
- Cross-genre players blending oud into contemporary, fusion, or world ensembles
Not best for
- Players specifically wanting Turkish oud tonality (different instrument entirely)
- Performance professionals needing concert-grade instruments above $1,500 (see our Syrian or Iraqi maker collections)
Specifications
| Type | Arabic oud |
|---|---|
| Top | Selected Cedar |
| Bowl | Wenge ribs (handpicked) |
| Neck | Wenge with Ebony fingerboard |
| Tuning | Arabic standard — C2 G2 A2 D3 G3 C4 (re-stringable to other Arabic tunings) |
| Courses | 6 (5 double + 1 single bass) |
| Includes | Soft case, replacement strings, risha (plectrum) |
| Country of origin | Istanbul, Türkiye — built by Sala Muzik luthiers |
SALA-A8 vs other Arabic oud tiers
| Tier | Price range | Build | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Arabic oud | $200-400 | Factory or semi-handmade | Beginners testing commitment |
| SALA-A8 (Luthier's Choice) | $899 | Hand-built Sala line | Serious students / intermediate |
| Premium Arabic ouds | $2,000-3,000+ | Master luthier (Miras makers) | Concert / professional |
FAQ
Can I tune this oud to Turkish tuning?
Technically 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 Turkish oud collection.
Is the bowl glued or floating?
The bowl is fully glued with traditional fish-glue construction.
What plectrum (risha) is included?
A standard plastic risha designed for Arabic oud strings. Many advanced players prefer traditional turtle-shell or horn rishas — these are available as add-ons.
How often do I need to change strings?
Casual practice: every 3–6 months. Daily practice or performance: every 1–3 months. Single bass strings tend to last longer than the paired courses.
Do you offer hardshell cases?
Yes — a hardshell case is available as an add-on at checkout (recommended for international shipping or travel).
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, worldwide. Ouds are fragile — we ship in custom-fitted boxes with extra foam protection, fully insured DHL or FedEx Express for international orders.
When Will I receive my order?
The delivery time by free shipping is 3-5 weeks to worldwide.
The delivery time by DHL shipping is 2-4 days to worldwide.
Does Sala Muzik Ship Internationally?
We currently ship anywhere in the World.
