Here is the best from the test clips taken last month of the FIFTH VERSION of the Ragmakamtar. As is obvious, this version is just a prototype, not intending to look polished... made in a very short time (3 weeks) and the back is made of papiermache.
This clip was taken just minutes after stringing it up after the 4th bracing change. The first soundboard didn't work out, so this is the second soundboard and the 3rd bracing change on that.
Right off I was happy with the oud sound but thought the sarod sounded like a thin banjo. Of course this is still very rough and the fingerboards are not completely smooth causing sound gliches... but still I thought to put up this clip for the public's interest.
In order to get the sarod side this resonant I have to reduce the lattice bracing so thin that the soundboard is now almost too warped to play... and finally I am not satisfied with the sound... it took me a few days to understand the OBVIOUS - why the sarod sounds like a banjo
...it is simply because the sarod side does NOT have enough SPACE around the bridge.So I have designed a new soundboard - and since I am off back to Europe in 2 weeks, I will wait til getting back there to build the new version.
However, all in all I consider this latest experiment a great success because the oud is finally going in the direction I am looking for. The sarod unfortunately went in the WRONG direction sound-wise, but the good thing is that finally I understand WHY! The ergonomics are fantasic (finally!) and the instrument is very light.
The down-side is the asthetics...
it is not exactly the most graceful design I have every seen or come up with... but hey, sound and playability take a STRONG FIRST. If it doesn't sound great and play easy, but looks amazing - what good is it?- - -
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