I've been playing bouzouki for a year and a half, but aggressively for about 8 months. I currently play a troubador, but I'm tired of it and I'm looking to move up to something better. I've done my homework and I've got it down to two makers; Mr. Crump and Jack Spira.
They both have a similar price range, and I imagine that the sounds are similar since the sizes are similar but I have a couple questions. I like Spira's visual work more, but I don't know much about the sound. Crump's bouzoukis sound amazing but I don't like them as much visually. I really like darker, grainy bouzoukis, without much fancy inlay.
So let the battle begin. I'd love to hear sound clips, especially of the Spira bouzoukis and any pictures of your own Crump's or Spira's. And if there is anyone in the vicinity of Columbus Oh and would be willing to let me tool around on one of their instruments, it would be awesome! Any advice is appreciated on my first nice bouzouki as well.
I am all for crump, as you will see by any of my past discussions!
Phil is a tasty craftsman, and can do most things on a bouzouki you can think of..personal inlay etc...including darkening a wood like spruce, to a more lower, warmer shade, if thats what you are after.
I would go for sound way ahead of looks...but with crump I think you get the best of both worlds.
Any interest in a Joe Foley?
He has made some of the best bouzoukis out there, and his waiting list would be about the same as Crump....1.5-2yrs.
Best of luck!
.
I've got two Jack Spira instruments, a bouzouki and a mandolin. I don't know of Crump's work but I can comment on Spira's.
Jack makes beautifully finished instruments. I'm very happy with their sound as well. Intonation is as close to perfect as I've heard so using a capo on the zook is no problem. The pickups sound great. Jack also does very nice inlay work. He designed and created a maidenhair fern inlay on the fingerboard of my zook. In fact his inlay work is exceptional. Liz Frencham from the Aussie group 'Jigzag' has a Japanese fish style inlay on hers and it's beautiful.
Unfortunately I don't have the time to upload any sound clips but I will have some stuff later in the month from some recording projects I'm working on.
I had my bouzouki made a couple of years ago and it's settled in well. A friend of mine had one arrive a couple of months ago and it's better than mine so Jack seems to be improving.
Jack's waiting period is pretty good too. I waited about 8 months for my mando last year but I know he can turn them around better than that if he needs to. He's also very amenable to custom instruments and has access to some nice timber, local and imported.
I'm thinking of getting him to make me another zook or an octave mando this year so hopefully he won't get flooded with orders.
G'day Mac.
Dont forget about Dan Dubowski,another Aussie maker
www.dandubowski.com I've had one of his Bouzouki's for a few years now.Its a lovely instrument and Dan is a real gentleman...He's a fitter machinist by trade and this shows in his attention for detail...
See you.....Zoukboy
I've got a bouzouki from guitar-maker Joe Gallacher from up Albury way. He's mostly known for his fabulous guitars, but has started making zouks and there more than slightly impressive. beautiful tone, nice action, and sounds AWESOME through a system.
Joe's a great bloke and I couldn't recomend his instruments more, for not only the finished product but the ease of communication with him while the instrument is in the works. He was very pro-active about making sure i would get something i'd love... And i did! (gush gush)
I just moved to Columbus, but unfortunately I don't have either of those zouks. I have a Trinity College which I bought from Phil Crump, and based on his setup and modifications I'd highly recommend his work. When I have the money I will probably get a Crump, though I've heard good things about Spiras too.
If you're interested in talking zouk or meeting up in Columbus send me an email offline: ETThompson@Yahoo.com
Bouzouki preferences?
Bouzouki preferences?
Hey everyone,
I've been playing bouzouki for a year and a half, but aggressively for about 8 months. I currently play a troubador, but I'm tired of it and I'm looking to move up to something better. I've done my homework and I've got it down to two makers; Mr. Crump and Jack Spira.
They both have a similar price range, and I imagine that the sounds are similar since the sizes are similar but I have a couple questions. I like Spira's visual work more, but I don't know much about the sound. Crump's bouzoukis sound amazing but I don't like them as much visually. I really like darker, grainy bouzoukis, without much fancy inlay.
So let the battle begin. I'd love to hear sound clips, especially of the Spira bouzoukis and any pictures of your own Crump's or Spira's. And if there is anyone in the vicinity of Columbus Oh and would be willing to let me tool around on one of their instruments, it would be awesome! Any advice is appreciated on my first nice bouzouki as well.
cheers,
John
# Posted on January 3rd 2007 by macjhiv
Re: Bouzouki preferences?
choose with your eyes shut
# Posted on January 3rd 2007 by llig leahcim
Re: Bouzouki preferences?
http://thesession.org/discussions/display/10155/comments#comment211012
# Posted on January 3rd 2007 by DADGADLad
Re: Bouzouki preferences?
I am all for crump, as you will see by any of my past discussions!
Phil is a tasty craftsman, and can do most things on a bouzouki you can think of..personal inlay etc...including darkening a wood like spruce, to a more lower, warmer shade, if thats what you are after.
I would go for sound way ahead of looks...but with crump I think you get the best of both worlds.
Any interest in a Joe Foley?
He has made some of the best bouzoukis out there, and his waiting list would be about the same as Crump....1.5-2yrs.
Best of luck!
.
# Posted on January 3rd 2007 by seaniemcg
Re: Bouzouki preferences?
abnett or a greek bouzouki
# Posted on January 4th 2007 by ecidralla
Re: Bouzouki preferences?
I've got two Jack Spira instruments, a bouzouki and a mandolin. I don't know of Crump's work but I can comment on Spira's.
Jack makes beautifully finished instruments. I'm very happy with their sound as well. Intonation is as close to perfect as I've heard so using a capo on the zook is no problem. The pickups sound great. Jack also does very nice inlay work. He designed and created a maidenhair fern inlay on the fingerboard of my zook. In fact his inlay work is exceptional. Liz Frencham from the Aussie group 'Jigzag' has a Japanese fish style inlay on hers and it's beautiful.
Unfortunately I don't have the time to upload any sound clips but I will have some stuff later in the month from some recording projects I'm working on.
I had my bouzouki made a couple of years ago and it's settled in well. A friend of mine had one arrive a couple of months ago and it's better than mine so Jack seems to be improving.
Jack's waiting period is pretty good too. I waited about 8 months for my mando last year but I know he can turn them around better than that if he needs to. He's also very amenable to custom instruments and has access to some nice timber, local and imported.
I'm thinking of getting him to make me another zook or an octave mando this year so hopefully he won't get flooded with orders.
# Posted on January 4th 2007 by zookman2
Re: Bouzouki preferences?
G'day Mac.
Dont forget about Dan Dubowski,another Aussie maker
www.dandubowski.com I've had one of his Bouzouki's for a few years now.Its a lovely instrument and Dan is a real gentleman...He's a fitter machinist by trade and this shows in his attention for detail...
See you.....Zoukboy
# Posted on January 8th 2007 by zoukboy
Re: Bouzouki preferences?
And to continue the Aussie bouzouki fest...
I've got a bouzouki from guitar-maker Joe Gallacher from up Albury way. He's mostly known for his fabulous guitars, but has started making zouks and there more than slightly impressive. beautiful tone, nice action, and sounds AWESOME through a system.
Joe's a great bloke and I couldn't recomend his instruments more, for not only the finished product but the ease of communication with him while the instrument is in the works. He was very pro-active about making sure i would get something i'd love... And i did! (gush gush)
# Posted on January 8th 2007 by SirNose
Re: Bouzouki preferences?
and there's Graham McDonald in Canberra too.
# Posted on January 8th 2007 by TheCurvyFiddle
Re: Bouzouki preferences?
Hi John
I just moved to Columbus, but unfortunately I don't have either of those zouks. I have a Trinity College which I bought from Phil Crump, and based on his setup and modifications I'd highly recommend his work. When I have the money I will probably get a Crump, though I've heard good things about Spiras too.
If you're interested in talking zouk or meeting up in Columbus send me an email offline: ETThompson@Yahoo.com
Eric
# Posted on January 11th 2007 by ETThompson