I've been looking and looking for information regarding a good starting bouzouki/cittern to get, with good sound and probably a longer scale.
I live in county cork and as of yet haven't found a decent shop to compare bouzoukis.
Looking online, the individual makers which I'm sure are excellent quality are way out of my price range. I'm looking at brands like trinity college, ashbury... I'm unsure of the overall quality of these.
My max price range is about €400, $500. Although I'm coming to terms with the fact that this may just be undoable. I'm holding out hope though!
Your great musical wisdom would much appreciated...
Thanks,
Patrick.
There's a black Bouzouki on e-bay with electronics for £200. I bought one and was disappointed. It's out of the Horza factory. Finish is not great and neck arches up. I'd avoid. I wouldn't buy online again. Pay a bit more from a shop and you can get a good look first.
To be honest I wouldn't recommend anything in that price range. But if your budget is really limited then they are probably good enough to get you started, though you will want to upgrade as soon as possible.
Trinity College, Ozark, Vintage & Ashbury all come off the same production line in Korea - the name on the headstock is an indication of who imported the instrument, not who made it. So there is no point in agonising over which make to buy.
The standard of woodworking on these things is quite adequate - you'll get a reasonable looking instrument that isn't going to fall apart, although the machine thicknessed soundboard is always too thick for it to ever sound great. But the real letdown is in the set-up. Set up isn't something that can be 'productionised', it takes a lot of time to set up each instrument individually, so to keep the cost down they don't bother. They simply mass produce bridges and nuts that are high enough to ensure that the worse instruments won't buzz.
With the truss rod adjusted, the frets stoned, and the nut and bridge heights properly set they become playable instruments. If you buy from a reputable dealer in a real shop, all that work should have been done before the instrument goes on the rack (and it will be reflected in the price). If you buy online the instrument will almost certainly be straight from the factory, and you'll need to pay a repair man to set it up - your 'bargain' will probably land up costing you more than the shop bought instrument by the time it is playable.
Thanks,
raymondgallagher - thanks for heads up, would definitely be wary of buying from ebay.
skreech - really helpful information, very informative, thanks for your reply. what would you consider the cheaper range for a playable instrument?
Regarding after-market setup, could a good guitar tech do the setup on a bouzouki/cittern, or would it take a zouk specialist?
Any guitar tech could do the work (providing he works on acoustic guitars - someone who only does electrics will set the action far too low). The only thing he might not be sure of is the string spacing, but the moulded nut and saddle that come on the instrument are usually right in that respect. The final action height is partly down to individual choice - 1.5mm treble/1.8mm bass at the 12 fret gives a light and easy action, and is as low as you would normally go, if you plan to be playing it hard in loud sessions then it is worth getting the action set slightly higher to avoid rattles.
I have bouzouki for sale, close to your price limit. It is a custom made instrument, great sounding and a thing of beauty. Personal message me if interested.
or even a second-hand one http://www.hobgoblin.com/local/bouzoukiframeuk.htm
Both these firms are reputable and may even offer set up of the instrument. Best of luck with your search. Unfortunately Ireland is a small place, ITM is a niche pastime, so you really need to look further afield. Having said that, ring around the shops in cork and Ireland in general.
I've got a Countryman which cost 300, it plays very well & makes a half decent sound with a good set of string. for the price i think it is worth it. though it will leave you wanting a top hand made one, but i suspect that all the cheaper models will leave a want for something better.
Countryman are worth a look though if that is a ll you can spend.
Wild goose chase for first bouzouki
Wild goose chase for first bouzouki
Hello good folks,
I've been looking and looking for information regarding a good starting bouzouki/cittern to get, with good sound and probably a longer scale.
I live in county cork and as of yet haven't found a decent shop to compare bouzoukis.
Looking online, the individual makers which I'm sure are excellent quality are way out of my price range. I'm looking at brands like trinity college, ashbury... I'm unsure of the overall quality of these.
My max price range is about €400, $500. Although I'm coming to terms with the fact that this may just be undoable. I'm holding out hope though!
Your great musical wisdom would much appreciated...
Thanks,
Patrick.
# Posted on December 26th 2011 by thewildwood
Re: Wild goose chase for first bouzouki
There's a black Bouzouki on e-bay with electronics for £200. I bought one and was disappointed. It's out of the Horza factory. Finish is not great and neck arches up. I'd avoid. I wouldn't buy online again. Pay a bit more from a shop and you can get a good look first.
# Posted on December 26th 2011 by raymondgallagher
Re: Wild goose chase for first bouzouki
To be honest I wouldn't recommend anything in that price range. But if your budget is really limited then they are probably good enough to get you started, though you will want to upgrade as soon as possible.
Trinity College, Ozark, Vintage & Ashbury all come off the same production line in Korea - the name on the headstock is an indication of who imported the instrument, not who made it. So there is no point in agonising over which make to buy.
The standard of woodworking on these things is quite adequate - you'll get a reasonable looking instrument that isn't going to fall apart, although the machine thicknessed soundboard is always too thick for it to ever sound great. But the real letdown is in the set-up. Set up isn't something that can be 'productionised', it takes a lot of time to set up each instrument individually, so to keep the cost down they don't bother. They simply mass produce bridges and nuts that are high enough to ensure that the worse instruments won't buzz.
With the truss rod adjusted, the frets stoned, and the nut and bridge heights properly set they become playable instruments. If you buy from a reputable dealer in a real shop, all that work should have been done before the instrument goes on the rack (and it will be reflected in the price). If you buy online the instrument will almost certainly be straight from the factory, and you'll need to pay a repair man to set it up - your 'bargain' will probably land up costing you more than the shop bought instrument by the time it is playable.
# Posted on December 26th 2011 by skreech
Re: Wild goose chase for first bouzouki
Regarding after-market setup, could a good guitar tech do the setup on a bouzouki/cittern, or would it take a zouk specialist?
# Posted on December 26th 2011 by Tracie
Re: Wild goose chase for first bouzouki
Thanks,
raymondgallagher - thanks for heads up, would definitely be wary of buying from ebay.
skreech - really helpful information, very informative, thanks for your reply. what would you consider the cheaper range for a playable instrument?
# Posted on December 26th 2011 by thewildwood
Re: Wild goose chase for first bouzouki
Regarding after-market setup, could a good guitar tech do the setup on a bouzouki/cittern, or would it take a zouk specialist?
Any guitar tech could do the work (providing he works on acoustic guitars - someone who only does electrics will set the action far too low). The only thing he might not be sure of is the string spacing, but the moulded nut and saddle that come on the instrument are usually right in that respect. The final action height is partly down to individual choice - 1.5mm treble/1.8mm bass at the 12 fret gives a light and easy action, and is as low as you would normally go, if you plan to be playing it hard in loud sessions then it is worth getting the action set slightly higher to avoid rattles.
# Posted on December 26th 2011 by skreech
Re: Wild goose chase for first bouzouki
Any opinions on the Aisling bouzouki?
# Posted on December 27th 2011 by thewildwood
Re: Wild goose chase for first bouzouki
I have bouzouki for sale, close to your price limit. It is a custom made instrument, great sounding and a thing of beauty. Personal message me if interested.
# Posted on December 27th 2011 by jimtowat
Re: Wild goose chase for first bouzouki
"With the truss rod adjusted, the frets stoned"
I knew I was doing something wrong!!!
thewildwood You should check some of the UK stores such as
http://www.themusicroom-online.co.uk/index.php/cPath/258_264_268?mrSid=136d10e7b27a472f02fa69faf21cd49e
or
http://www.hobgoblin.com/local/bouzoukiframeuk.htm
or even a second-hand one
http://www.hobgoblin.com/local/bouzoukiframeuk.htm
Both these firms are reputable and may even offer set up of the instrument. Best of luck with your search. Unfortunately Ireland is a small place, ITM is a niche pastime, so you really need to look further afield. Having said that, ring around the shops in cork and Ireland in general.
# Posted on December 28th 2011 by Backer
Re: Wild goose chase for first bouzouki
Thanks for the advice Backer!
# Posted on December 29th 2011 by thewildwood
Re: Wild goose chase for first bouzouki
I've got a Countryman which cost 300, it plays very well & makes a half decent sound with a good set of string. for the price i think it is worth it. though it will leave you wanting a top hand made one, but i suspect that all the cheaper models will leave a want for something better.
Countryman are worth a look though if that is a ll you can spend.
# Posted on January 3rd 2012 by palethinboy