Cura Saz: Olive branch and Dove design

The cura saz is the smallest of the saz family of instruments, important in Arabic and Middle-Eastern music. It has a bowl-shaped body of joined wood staves, a relatively long, skinny neck, a single sound hole in the back end of the body, and frets that include some quarter-tones..

With its three pairs of thin steel strings, the sound is clear and bell-like. Various tunings are used on the cura, with A-D-G (high to low) being common. I prefer to lower it a little to lessen string tension and decrease the likelihood of breaking a string. I also prefer using E-B-E rather than F#-B-E, giving a more familiar (to me) open chord pattern like the three-course bouzouki. A capo on the third half-tone fret gives G-D-G or A-D-G. These strings also do well even lower, at D-A-D or E-A-D. The saz family frets, which are heavily varnished theads that wrap the whole way around the neck, also include some quarter-tones, important to some Arabic music. I put tiny dots along the side by the half-tones, to make the transition easier.

This is a Turkish-made instrument by Era Saz, all hornbeam wood, and while a lower-end instrument, it has a very nice gloss finish and real wood tuning pegs that hold well. I make any necessary adjustments to play well (with a new bone bridge of just the right height if needed), along with my hand-painted olive branch and dove design. I also add a small
Side sound hole to direct more volume to the player. The body size is about 11" by 7" by 7" deep. Total length is 33", with a string scale of 21".

I include a traditional very soft pick (plectrum) and a simple zippered carrying bag. You can also experiment with other picks and finger picking.

If you have any questions before ordering, or about the instrument after you receive it, feel free to message me. I can also modify the design if you like. If I have one ready in stock or here to decorate, shipping will be within a week. If I need to order on in from Turkey, my time to ship out will be more like 3 weeks. Check first if timing is important.

You can find lots of Youtube videos of the instrument being played. Some of my favorites with a rather simple, traditional sound are by Ozgur Baba. Some are combined with a hand drum and singing in unison with the melodic line, for a beautiful ethereal sound.

A video/sound link will be coming soon!

NOTE: International shipments (other than Canada) are unpredictable as to length of time for shipping, and I cannot guarantee timing once shipped, nor be held responsible for delays. International orders may require an import duty upon pickup. Please check ahead with your postal service.