I would want one with a better set of tuners, myself. That's the killer with the cheap made ones, they don''t stay in tune very well. The Trinity College made ocatve mandolins people seem to like.
in fact, you might want to look for octave mandolins, too. They are basically the same instrument as what we call an Irish Bouzouki as far as i can tell. You tune them the same and do the same things with them, anyways
I play a Johnson brand factory made octave mandolin that I got for around $375 USD. It isn't too bad, but the tailpiece and bridge were kinda weak. I'd still recommend them for the price.
that's another thing to be aware of... you really are buying the neck and the body. There are lots of aftermarket bridges and tailpieces that can make a big difference.
I would avoid both of them. I forgot to check the listed price, but I would aim a bit higher; the Johnson/Trinity College/ Vintage/Ozark brands are all a better quality instrument, some people can distinguish between those I have listed for aspects of quality control, but they seem to work to the same general standard of design and materials.
PLUS, as I have said many times before, replace the bridge with a Red-Henry-pattern bridge, and the tailpiece with a heavier brass one, and there will be a noticeable improvement in tone and volume.
After a couple of years on one of these I recommend you will want to upgrade maybe, and can start looking around for a local luthier. But don't start so low as the ones you have selected currently that you become discouraged by an unappealing instrument.
PS putting the minimum of information in your blog, or your question, lets us know where you are, even approximately, and we might be able to give better advice.
Hey,
I have a beautiful handmade Thomas Buchanan bouzouki for sale if anyone is interested. I used to work years ago in a music store in Ireland and bought this instrument purely out of curiosity, as I'm a studio musician with a fondness for unusual stringed instruments. Alas, the instrument is surplus to my needs and I need to sell it along as I'm downsizing my collection. This instrument new sells for $1995 on some websites an is priced £945(sterling) on British sites. This is about 7 years old i reckon and sounds beautiful. I live in NYC and to be honest I'll take any decent offer for this instrument. There is a slight crack along the bridge so I'd be willing to part with this instrument around the $1000 mark. I can provide images if necessary.
Sorry, Doc, you're still looking at an Eastern European-made 'zouk with that Ozark; not much better than the ones I did not recommend earlier. Lowest price is not often a recommendation of quality. There's a better-quality Ozark from the Far East. A quick clue is to avoid the instruments with the inlaid wooden pick-guard.
Keep looking.
Good luck !
I was doubting myself that it wasn't good, but hope exists...
I have a friend who knows a bouzouki maker, so I think I'll search in that direction: At first, I'd said myself that it would be too much expensive, but the cheapest ones are very bad as you says, so it's probably a better idea.
Otherwise, I think I would buy a Trinity college: it's not too expensive (500-600 €) but is good.
So, once again, Thanks: I know now that there's always an answer to your questions in this website!
Choosing a bouzouki...
Choosing a bouzouki...
Hi there,
I've played fiddle for 9 years and I'm planning to learn the bouzouki as accompaniement. So, I want to buy one to start with. I'm hesitating between 2 bouzoukis on Thomann : This one : http://www.thomann.de/fr/pro_natura_irish_bouzouki.htm and that one http://www.thomann.de/fr/hora_irish_bouzouki_m1089_p.htm
So, if you've ever played one of these and can give me advices, I would be very greatful.
# Posted on October 8th 2009 by Doc. P
Re: Choosing a bouzouki...
I would want one with a better set of tuners, myself. That's the killer with the cheap made ones, they don''t stay in tune very well. The Trinity College made ocatve mandolins people seem to like.
in fact, you might want to look for octave mandolins, too. They are basically the same instrument as what we call an Irish Bouzouki as far as i can tell. You tune them the same and do the same things with them, anyways
I play a Johnson brand factory made octave mandolin that I got for around $375 USD. It isn't too bad, but the tailpiece and bridge were kinda weak. I'd still recommend them for the price.
that's another thing to be aware of... you really are buying the neck and the body. There are lots of aftermarket bridges and tailpieces that can make a big difference.
# Posted on October 8th 2009 by Nate Ryan
Re: Choosing a bouzouki...
I would avoid both of them. I forgot to check the listed price, but I would aim a bit higher; the Johnson/Trinity College/ Vintage/Ozark brands are all a better quality instrument, some people can distinguish between those I have listed for aspects of quality control, but they seem to work to the same general standard of design and materials.
PLUS, as I have said many times before, replace the bridge with a Red-Henry-pattern bridge, and the tailpiece with a heavier brass one, and there will be a noticeable improvement in tone and volume.
After a couple of years on one of these I recommend you will want to upgrade maybe, and can start looking around for a local luthier. But don't start so low as the ones you have selected currently that you become discouraged by an unappealing instrument.
# Posted on October 8th 2009 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Choosing a bouzouki...
PS putting the minimum of information in your blog, or your question, lets us know where you are, even approximately, and we might be able to give better advice.
# Posted on October 8th 2009 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Choosing a bouzouki...
grateful*
I update my informations, so as you can see I'm french ("Pas-de-Calais"). I saw that the ozark ones cost less than the other brands in general, like this one: http://en.woodbrass.com/product_info.php?calculport_country_id=103&products_id=23817&; Is it fine to start?
Thanks
# Posted on October 8th 2009 by Doc. P
Re: Choosing a bouzouki...
Hey,
I have a beautiful handmade Thomas Buchanan bouzouki for sale if anyone is interested. I used to work years ago in a music store in Ireland and bought this instrument purely out of curiosity, as I'm a studio musician with a fondness for unusual stringed instruments. Alas, the instrument is surplus to my needs and I need to sell it along as I'm downsizing my collection. This instrument new sells for $1995 on some websites an is priced £945(sterling) on British sites. This is about 7 years old i reckon and sounds beautiful. I live in NYC and to be honest I'll take any decent offer for this instrument. There is a slight crack along the bridge so I'd be willing to part with this instrument around the $1000 mark. I can provide images if necessary.
Thanks.
http://www.folkmandolin.co.uk/instruments/bouzouki.htm
http://www.hobgoblin-usa.com/local/product.php?ID=GX3367
# Posted on October 9th 2009 by Graham Finn
Re: Choosing a bouzouki...
Doc. P,
Avoid the Hora bouzouki like the plague - go for Trinity College or Ozark.
# Posted on October 9th 2009 by triplet upstairs
Re: Choosing a bouzouki...
Sorry, Doc, you're still looking at an Eastern European-made 'zouk with that Ozark; not much better than the ones I did not recommend earlier. Lowest price is not often a recommendation of quality. There's a better-quality Ozark from the Far East. A quick clue is to avoid the instruments with the inlaid wooden pick-guard.
Keep looking.
Good luck !
# Posted on October 9th 2009 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Choosing a bouzouki...
I was doubting myself that it wasn't good, but hope exists...
I have a friend who knows a bouzouki maker, so I think I'll search in that direction: At first, I'd said myself that it would be too much expensive, but the cheapest ones are very bad as you says, so it's probably a better idea.
Otherwise, I think I would buy a Trinity college: it's not too expensive (500-600 €) but is good.
So, once again, Thanks: I know now that there's always an answer to your questions in this website!
# Posted on October 9th 2009 by Doc. P