I've only ever heard one Abnett bouzouki close up, and it was fantastic. I've come across a few Foleys, and they're great too.
I believe the best way to buy a hand made instrument is to visit the luthier and discuss what you want so the spec can be tailored to your needs in terms of sound, playabilty and cosmetics.
So where do you live? If I were in your position, I'd get a Foley if I lived in Ireland, an Abnett if I lived in Great Britain, or flip a coin if I lived overseas.
Cheers dave I'm from Ireland living in edinburgh. I know foleys are brill. Just something about te Abnett that I love though. But I've never heard one up close! Suppose if it was good enough for Donal Lunny it can't be bad!
I think Peter is on the south coast, so from Edinburgh it would probably be easier to get to Dublin with Ryanair to see Joe. But if feel like you want an Abnett, you'll probably go with your gut feeling in the end.
I had some dealings with Peter a while back when I was thinking of getting him to make a mandolin. I found him to be very helpful and professional.
The Abnett bouzouki I heard was in a session in Wexford a few years back. I don't recall the player's name, though.
It a legend cheers for advice! Was actually gonna ask I that, is it the dished back u have? I spoke with Peter seems like a gent! And can u recommend what woods u have etc? Cheers again
I've never seen an Abnett first hand and I believe they are excellent, but I've had a Foley for two years now and like ecidralla's Abnett it's getting better as time goes on. It's got a really playable low action with bright trebles, deep woody basses and excellent intonation. It seems to beg to be played and I have to say I've not regretted my decision to have to made once.
Joe is a really nice chap and a pleasure to deal with and after I saw Eamon Doorley's bouzouki (made by Joe) I asked if he could make one the same for me as I liked the bassiness of Eamon's instrument (it uses different bracing to his usual standard). I doubt if you could go wrong with either in all honesty.
Yep I have and recommend the 3 dish back from whoever you choose as they both offer the option. For woods, mostly they both use rosewood back and spruce front as standard, but depends what sound you want. For example cedar is warmer but softer wood for front whereas spruce is more bright and dynamic. For back rosewood is best I would say for this type of instrument.
I can't believe I got no hooks with my 'Foley is just a copy' comment. In all seriousness Foleys are pretty nice, I have played some before you can tell the difference in sound if you're an owner of either instruments. I do admit Foley's posess more strength on the bass level than Abnetts and have low action which makes room for chunky strummy stuff as well as ringy chords.
Abnetts from what I experienced shine more on the mid to high range and lend themselves well for light string and picky open stuff, they also do have a good bass which lends itself well for chords. They are higher action than Foley's.
Really depends what sound you are looking and what style you will be leaning towards. They both have equal potentiality to develop into however you approach them, though as a general rule i'd say if you like doing more strummy chords then Foley is good whereas if you like playing more open droney stuff capoed here and there then Abnett is strong for that. But both adapt to however you play, so you really can't go wrong!
I would ask for a catalogue from Peter, he sent me it a few times before with all his prices, pictures, different options for customizing as well as general info.
Abnett or foley??!
Abnett or foley??!
I'm torn to decide on which bouzouki to purchase! Any advice on Peter abnetts or Joe foleys is greatly appreciated!
# Posted on June 6th 2011 by timcasey
Re: Abnett or foley??!
I've only ever heard one Abnett bouzouki close up, and it was fantastic. I've come across a few Foleys, and they're great too.
I believe the best way to buy a hand made instrument is to visit the luthier and discuss what you want so the spec can be tailored to your needs in terms of sound, playabilty and cosmetics.
So where do you live? If I were in your position, I'd get a Foley if I lived in Ireland, an Abnett if I lived in Great Britain, or flip a coin if I lived overseas.
# Posted on June 6th 2011 by DaveL35
Re: Abnett or foley??!
Cheers dave
I'm from Ireland living in edinburgh. I know foleys are brill. Just something about te Abnett that I love though. But I've never heard one up close! Suppose if it was good enough for Donal Lunny it can't be bad!
# Posted on June 6th 2011 by timcasey
Re: Abnett or foley??!
I think Peter is on the south coast, so from Edinburgh it would probably be easier to get to Dublin with Ryanair to see Joe. But if feel like you want an Abnett, you'll probably go with your gut feeling in the end.
I had some dealings with Peter a while back when I was thinking of getting him to make a mandolin. I found him to be very helpful and professional.
The Abnett bouzouki I heard was in a session in Wexford a few years back. I don't recall the player's name, though.
# Posted on June 6th 2011 by DaveL35
Re: Abnett or foley??!
I am a proud owner of an Abnett, 7 years and it's just getting better and better. A good zouk to develop with, it develops with you.
Foley is basically just a copy ;) albeit a good one.. he even copied Peter's signature headpiece ornament.
I have nothing but good comments, they just work.
Good for both tunes and chords.. very deep, even for eastern music.
Go for it and enjoy!
# Posted on June 6th 2011 by ecidralla
Re: Abnett or foley??!
the 3 dish back is so nice.
# Posted on June 6th 2011 by ecidralla
Re: Abnett or foley??!
It a legend cheers for advice! Was actually gonna ask I that, is it the dished back u have? I spoke with Peter seems like a gent! And can u recommend what woods u have etc? Cheers again
# Posted on June 6th 2011 by timcasey
Re: Abnett or foley??!
I've never seen an Abnett first hand and I believe they are excellent, but I've had a Foley for two years now and like ecidralla's Abnett it's getting better as time goes on. It's got a really playable low action with bright trebles, deep woody basses and excellent intonation. It seems to beg to be played and I have to say I've not regretted my decision to have to made once.
Joe is a really nice chap and a pleasure to deal with and after I saw Eamon Doorley's bouzouki (made by Joe) I asked if he could make one the same for me as I liked the bassiness of Eamon's instrument (it uses different bracing to his usual standard). I doubt if you could go wrong with either in all honesty.
# Posted on June 7th 2011 by Sugarfoot Jack
Re: Abnett or foley??!
Foley all the way! both are good, but that's my 2 cents worth!!
Cheers
Matt
<a href="http://www.ellipticalreviewsworldwide.com/category/all-brands/life-fitness/">Life Fitness Cross Trainer</a>
# Posted on June 7th 2011 by chillipixel
Re: Abnett or foley??!
Yep I have and recommend the 3 dish back from whoever you choose as they both offer the option. For woods, mostly they both use rosewood back and spruce front as standard, but depends what sound you want. For example cedar is warmer but softer wood for front whereas spruce is more bright and dynamic. For back rosewood is best I would say for this type of instrument.
I can't believe I got no hooks with my 'Foley is just a copy' comment. In all seriousness Foleys are pretty nice, I have played some before you can tell the difference in sound if you're an owner of either instruments. I do admit Foley's posess more strength on the bass level than Abnetts and have low action which makes room for chunky strummy stuff as well as ringy chords.
Abnetts from what I experienced shine more on the mid to high range and lend themselves well for light string and picky open stuff, they also do have a good bass which lends itself well for chords. They are higher action than Foley's.
Really depends what sound you are looking and what style you will be leaning towards. They both have equal potentiality to develop into however you approach them, though as a general rule i'd say if you like doing more strummy chords then Foley is good whereas if you like playing more open droney stuff capoed here and there then Abnett is strong for that. But both adapt to however you play, so you really can't go wrong!
I would ask for a catalogue from Peter, he sent me it a few times before with all his prices, pictures, different options for customizing as well as general info.
Do keep us updated, exciting stuff!
Phil
# Posted on June 7th 2011 by ecidralla
Re: Abnett or foley??!
don't know if you have seen this RTE documentary
http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-1080888958353361287#
it features joe foley making an instrument n demoing it.
just fyi
# Posted on June 7th 2011 by ecidralla
Re: Abnett or foley??!
Go full hog and get a Manson!
# Posted on June 7th 2011 by seaniemcg
Re: Abnett or foley??!
There's no need to have a high action on an Abnett, surely ?
Aren't these things adjustable by the luthier to the customer's request ?
# Posted on June 8th 2011 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Abnett or foley??!
@ecidralla Surely whether you get a Foley or an Abnett, you can get it set up with a high or low action according to your preference?
# Posted on June 8th 2011 by DaveL35
Re: Abnett or foley??!
tim check this link:http://cgi.ebay.com/Peter-Abnett-Irish-Bouzouki-/120746495508?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c1d0d4e14
abnett bouzouki on ebay in us
marin
# Posted on July 7th 2011 by maracirac