The oud maker's intention in crafting the oud is to achieve maximum resonance. The soundboard is a particularly delicate component of the instrument due to its location between the strings and the back. New York City based musician and oud maker Najib Shaheen has taken steps to increase the sound quality and projection of the oud through subtle modifications of the soundboard's habitual structure.

In keeping with most oud makers, Shaheen uses different kinds of wood for the beams and the soundboard. In the instance of Shaheen's ouds, the combination of the warmth of spruce and the crispness of cedar interact to produce a higher quality tone. Shaheen departs from the norm, however, in his efforts to lighten the soundboard and beams while maintaining the durability and strength of the instrument.

The sound generated at the strings of the oud passes through the rosettes and is reflected or absorbed by the wood enclosing it. Reflected sound then reverberates back through the soundboard. One of Shaheen's modifications to maximize this reverberation is his minimization of the beams and soundboard. Shaheen whittles the beams, to varying degrees, from their original size. Similarly, he thins areas of wood on the underside of the soundboard.

Shaheen reduces sound absorption of wood against wood. Ordinarily each end of every beam is glued to either side of the inner rim of the back. Shaheen also creates the possibility of more sound travel by placing a supportive beam in the area of the soundboard just opposite and above the bridge rather than below it.

Since its emergence in early civilization, the oud's unique tone has established itself in traditional musical forms throughout the Arab world and North Africa. Its sound has also made its place within the context of other musical compositions, from the classical forms of Mohamed Abdel Wahab's music to the musical innovations and cultural amalgums of contemporary forms. Developments in the structure and existing elements of craftsmanship of the oud will perhaps remain the purview of oud makers for years to come. Notwithstanding, the oud cannot but maintain its very viable place in the family of instruments.