I knew this fantastic Ud player in Bahrain and his Ud was covered with flowers, I asked for a closer look expecting to see some exquisite inlay work, but it was just some decals (transfers) that he'd stuck on it. I'll have to do that with a guitar one day.

As a matter of interest, In Bahrain the top of an Ud is often left unfinished and they clean 'em with sandpaper. Would horrify most Western Luthiers.

Bert.