Description
The Arabic Iraqi oud is a fretless, eleven-string instrument built for the deep, vocal resonance that defines the Iraqi school of oud playing. Part of the Tapadum Sultan Collection and handcrafted in our İzmir atelier, it pairs a warm maple and walnut bowl with a responsive Canadian cedar top, giving players a full-bodied voice that carries both the gravity of improvisation and the clarity of melodic ornament.
At the heart of the instrument is its maple and walnut bowl. Maple lends brightness and projection while walnut adds warmth and depth, and together they produce the rounded, resonant tone associated with the Iraqi oud. The staved bowl is shaped by hand, so each instrument carries small natural variations that reflect the craft behind it rather than factory uniformity.
The soundboard is made from Canadian cedar, a tonewood prized for its quick response and sweet, singing sustain. Cedar opens up readily under a light touch, which suits the expressive phrasing of Arabic maqam. A mobile suspended bridge rests on the face rather than being glued in place, letting the player fine-tune string height and intonation for a precise, balanced action. The ebony fingerboard and ebony pegs hold tuning reliably and give the neck a smooth, durable playing surface.
Specifications
| Collection | Tapadum Sultan Collection |
| Origin | Handcrafted in İzmir, Turkey |
| Bowl | Maple & Walnut |
| Soundboard | Canadian Cedar |
| Fingerboard & Pegs | Ebony |
| Bridge | Mobile suspended bridge |
| Strings | 11 (Kürschner premium) |
| Scale length | 60 cm |
| Body length | 50 cm |
| Neck length | 19.5 cm |
| Body width | 37.5 cm |
| Weight | 4.1 kg |
| Tuning | Do–Do (C–C) |
This oud is intended for intermediate and professional players who want a serious instrument for Arabic and Iraqi maqam music. Its eleven strings in the standard Do–Do (C–C) tuning and its responsive cedar top reward a developed right-hand technique, so committed beginners working toward classical repertoire will also grow into it. Players drawn to the slightly different scale and timbre of the Turkish oud may want to compare it with our Turkish oud collection before deciding.
The Iraqi oud holds a central place in the Arabic classical tradition, from the modal improvisation of taqsim to the accompaniment of song. Its tone is equally at home in maqam ensembles and solo performance, and its clear projection makes it a dependable choice for both recording and the stage.
To keep the instrument in good condition, store it away from direct heat and sudden humidity changes, loosen the strings slightly during long storage, and wipe the soundboard and strings after playing. Because the bridge is suspended rather than fixed, check occasionally that it remains correctly seated.
Tune Your Oud. New to tuning an oud, or refining your Do–Do setup? 🎛 Open the Tapadum Tuner for a quick, accurate reference.
Every instrument in the Tapadum Sultan Collection is inspected and set up before it ships. Our strings curator, Sertan Sarioglu, checks each oud for tone, action, and finish, so it arrives ready to play. Browse the full Arabic oud collection for more options. Worldwide shipping & 15-day return.
