Manolis Ouds
Luthier - Oud Maker
Handcrafted Ouds where tradition meets acoustic research.
Each instrument is individually built by Manolis Kaniadakis, combining traditional luthiery with modern structural design to achieve clarity, balance and projection.
The approach
Oud building belongs to the folk arts. The Oud is a Middle Eastern folk instrument, making the guidelines of its construction a lot less strict and absolute than the ones of the European classical instruments.
My interest in the oud began through my love for its sound, expressive possibilities and the unique relationship between player and instrument. Over time, this curiosity led me beyond playing the instrument to studying its construction, acoustics and physical behaviour.
Through years of experimentation and research, I gradually developed my own construction approach, focusing on materials, structural behaviour and acoustic response, with the aim of building instruments that combine traditional aesthetics with modern stability and projection.
The right Oud for you is the one that moves you.
Handmade instruments develop their own character. The subtle imperfections of a luthier’s work give each instrument a unique look, sound and feel. Through many hours of careful craftsmanship, an oud gradually comes to life in the hands of its maker. In this sense, every instrument becomes truly one of a kind, leaving us luthiers with the enduring challenge of constantly pursuing perfection.