I’m looking for some advise on the Bouzouki. I currently play mando (GDAE) and am really thinking about picking up an Irish Bouzouki.
Can anyone recommend a decent Bouz that is not too expensive? I have a cheap Fender Mando and frankly, love it. So if there is something out there that you have played and can suggest, that won’t drain my pocketbook, I’d really appreciate it.
I’ve got a pretty strong background in woodworking, so thought about possibly buying a kit, and going at it that way.
I was in the same place as you a couple of years ago ie playing mandolin and wanting to try bouzouki. I picked up one of the Romanian Hora brand bouzoukis. I think it’s a good instrument for the money. I traded for mine and have about $165 in it with shipping. I’ve decided I have too may irons in the fire to really work at it so it’s for sale if you are interested. I don’t have a case for it. Can’t be beat for the money and it’ll give you a good idea of what it’s like. A friend suggested I use GDAD tuning. He said it helps in making chords. I’ll take the $165 I have in it, which includes shipping, if you are interested.
I have sent you a PM as I have an Irish Bouzouki for sale.
I got the bouzouki a few years ago from a music shop in England UK
Price £99.00 GBP plus padded gig bag with shoulder straps and pocket £40.00 GBP plus cost for postage.
David Kirkpatrick of http://www.troubadour.uk.com/ sells affordable eastern european instruments, and he’s a long time member of cittern-L. He does a good set up before he ships, and unlike some vendors, he screens out the duds (quality control on these varies).
The worst thing I know about them is that they’ll have cheap tuning heads. OTOH, you’re getting an entire instrument for about the cost of a set of schallers.
I’ve got a Troubadour mandola and can vouch for the fact that they are good instruments for the money. The Troubadour mandola gave me a taste of the mandola and that’s when I abandoned the bouzouki and picked up a Mid Mo mandola off that auction site.
Now the Troubadour mandola is for sale.
If the bouzouki is anything like the mandola, Troubadour is also a good choice.
I have a Trinity College octave mando, and I love it so I’d assume their Bouz would be equally good. The workmanship is terrific, the finish is beautiful and it’s a joy to play.
Thanks everyone - this is helpful info! I spent a couple hours today searching the web based on your recs and sale offers. I’m gonna do a little “cogitating” now.
On my latter question - has anyone tried to build a Bouz from a kit before? I’ve seen this: http://www.gaelictribe.com/bouzouki/ and it is intriguing. As I mentioned, I’ve done quite a lot of woodworking and would be comfortable . . . I think!?! My dad is a cabinet maker and I’m sure he’d be up for the challenge. I’d be more than happy to hear comments or thoughts.
I recently purchased a Gold Tone octave mandolin that I play tunes on (the banjo’s a bit loud in here with the wood floors). It’s a Pac-Rim instrument made with solid woods. I bought it sight unseen from Bernunzio Instruments in Rochester, NY. It cost less than $500. It has some minor issues, I tossed the bridge in the bin and replaced with an adjustable mando-type when I switched it to a lefty and the tuners are not the best (they do the job but they’re not great) and there are some rattles up around the tenth fret. Playing Irish tunes, I never go beyond the eight fret anyway. It does have an adjustable truss rod, though. If I go for a high-end octave mandolin I’ll make it a bit longer as the scale length is only 20 1/4 inches (my 17-fret banjo is 21 inches). Having said all this, I’d recommend this brand although I’ve only played this one. I’m having a blast with it. The workmanship is very good. There are no obvious flaws and, for the money, I got a very good deal.
If you like the Fender mandolin, they make an octave mando (which could be strung as a bouzouki) for $500. It has a pickup. I’ve played one briefly. It’s OK for it’s price. A little honky for me, but OK.
I have a Lark in the Morning Irish Bouzouki that plays great. It isn’t a high-end instrument or anything, but I like it. Mine needed a slight neck adjustment, and I have been playing it for 3 years now. It sounds especially good with the pick-up I had installed.
Those are actually surprisingly good-sounding gizmos for what they are. My first cittern was of the same make and I was very happy with it, but the neck eventually twisted too much to be adjusted. Its lumber wasn’t quarter-sawn, it didn’t have a spline laminated in, nor a tension rod, so in the end it wasn’t a surprise. Basically, I got what I paid for. You could get one that’ll last you forever, but just be aware that the neck could go belly-up on you.
Another issue is the Spanish-style machine head (they are made in Mexico, after all). Stringing is a bit of a chore and somewhat more time-consuming compared to the usual thing, but not so big a deal depending on you. I also didn’t care for the Spanish-style decorative bit at the crest of the head, but that was easily sawn off to make a clean, square profile. A little stain, a little varnish, and good to go.
The strings themselves are another issue. Unless you change the tailpiece, you will have to use loop-end strings.
Here’s a pic of the Lark in the Morning brand mandola (couldn’t find a pic of their 'zouk on their website) just to illustrate what I was saying about the head:
The profile of the crest of the head is actually more prominent than the photo shows, unless we’re not looking at an angle-of-view issue and there’s been a design change. If the head on mine had been exactly as it looks here, I wouldn’t have sawn off the crest. Haven’t seen any new ones, myself.
I’m not sure why that Fender instrument is called an octave mandolin. It has a scale length of over 26". That’s bouzouki length. An octave mando usually has a scale of 22-23".
If I were going to buy a Roumanian instrument, I’d get it from David Kilpatrick.
Thanks Everyone!! I keep getting PM’s and people keep answering - this has been one of the most helpful threads for me in the couple years I’ve been asking questions.
