The Stages of Bağlama Making and Instrument Care

The main stages of making a bağlama can be summarised as follows.

• Making the bowl-shaped body

• Sanding

• Drilling and preparing the neck joint

• Fitting the neck

• Preparing and fitting the soundboard

• Fitting the bridge and fine sanding

• Varnishing and polishing

• Fitting frets, strings and tuning pegs

Bağlama bodies are made in two main ways: assembled from curved ribs, or carved from a single block of wood. Rib-built bodies are constructed by joining sections, as with the oud and mandolin. Carved bodies are hollowed from one piece. The author expresses a preference for the carved type.

The frets are tied by hand using thin fishing line, here specified as 0.35 mm thick.

The quality and dryness of the wood are crucial to a good bağlama. Seasoning the wood can take four to five years.

Well-made bağlamas built from quality materials can be valuable instruments and deserve careful protection. To preserve one over many years, store it in a dry environment. As with many instruments, damp conditions are harmful. After playing, gently wipe the strings with a dry cloth to remove moisture and reduce oxidation.

Onur Severgün
Rekor Sanat – Bağlama Teacher