I owned an oud for a few years. Kinda thought it was a cittern when I got it and so did the person that sold it to me.

It played OK but was not comfortable for two reasons:

1. the frets are far apart
2. said frets are not your standard metal-inset-in fretboard. They are some kind of heavy-duty fishing line--you know, plastic monofilament-- which is tied around the neck...with a very interesting and clever knot at the back. Ergo, the palm of your left hand, rather than sliding along on smooth polished wood, gets all roughed up on these knots.

After awhile the neck bowed and I sold it at my favourite funky music store. He was dubious about accepting it but it sold pretty quickly for about $200, when word got out through the grapevine (taxi drivers of Middle Eastern origin) that there was an oud in town.

Oud a thunk it? I still want a cittern.

Willie-Oud