New to Bouzoukis!

[ConwayGritty]

So I’m planning on purchasing a new Irish bouzouki. I normally play traditional Irish/Newfoundland music as well as country.

I currently play guitar, banjo and mandolin.
I’m looking at investing around 1-1,500 CAD into a new bouzouki. Any suggestions on makes/models for a ‘new’ player ?

[pheffernan]

Any suggestions on makes/models for a ‘new’ player ?

I’d wonder if Lawrence Nyberg could build you one of his flattop bouzoukis within your budget.

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/133217#133217

[Chuck Leyda]

Lots of great choices out there but here's one to consider:
https://reverb.com/item/17938546-jim...tenor-bouzouki
NFI

[Chuck Leyda]

Here's a few more names that I would consider high quality AND in your price range. (Nybergs look amazing but the flat top bouzouki starts at 3600 CAD)
Petersen (used only, he no longer builds)
Moon
Sawychyn Beavertail Bouzouki ANB 84
Red Valley Bouzouki
Hathaway
Flatiron

Many of these are just above your price range but might be found used. You will need to figure out what you absolutely need. Sometimes Octave mandolins are a bit cheaper. Some inhabit that 23-24 inch scale that are sort of between octave mandolin and bouzouki but might offer a nice mix.

Good hunting!

[Barbes]

If you want a new instrument this won’t do it, but if maybe not, this is currently in the classifieds:

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/133557#133557

They’re quite well thought of.

[ConwayGritty]

Thanks guys! Couple questions..
Is their any reason to buy a moon over a flat iron or the other way around?

Also, do you think it’s been to invest in a great quality build that is used vs a brand new say trinity college ?

[multidon]

Moon is a nice instrument. But personally I would never buy a long neck instrument like a bouzouki without an adjustable truss rod. Some Moons have one, some don’t. It pays to check. Same with Flatirons. I would not buy one without the adjustable truss rod.

Either would be good. I would not necessarily choose one over the other. The Trinity College is, generally speaking, nice for the price. My biggest peeve with them is the saddle compensation is wrong. The bridge saddle comes set up for 2 solid and 2 wound courses, like a mandolin. The saddle needs to be altered or replaced to make them play in tune, in my opinion.

[Chuck Leyda]

The linked Moon has a truss rod cover which would indicate a truss rod but surprisingly some pegheads have truss covers but no truss rod! As mentioned before it pays to check.

It's my opinion that Moon has the best chance of being a better instrument but of course each instrument is an individual.

The linked Flatiron looks nice too. 23.5 scale if I recall. Lands right in the the middle of Octave mandolin and bouzouki so could be a good instrument to get a feel for long necked mando-beasts.

TC has gone up in price. I wouldn't pay $800 plus for a new one. A used for $500 or so might be a good deal. Be aware that a TC will either be really short (around 20 inch) or really long (over 26 inch) scale.

[Lord of the Badgers]

Buy something second hand - the bang for your buck will be significant compared to buying new. Also - like most acoustic instruments - the instrument will hopefully be nicely played in and be sounding sweeter than brand new instruments can. if you go brand new it'll open up in time. If you do go brand new try and go luthier built if possible.
Keep monitoring the classifieds here and don't be afraid to ask what's what.

[ConwayGritty]

So I’m looking at a moon 2000’s

She doesn’t know much about it..
she says there in a nut, under the grind cover on the headstock. One would assume this means it’s adjustable right ?

Also she says it’s strings are 21 inches? Is this what you guys are referring to as measurement ?

[ConwayGritty]

She said also it’s 10.5 inches to the 12th fret.. just wondering if this would make it an octave or bouzouki

[OneChordTrick]

I would say octave. My unplayed octave has a scale of 518mm/20.4” which is about 10.2” to the 12th fret. I’m on a train so I think that’s right .

[multidon]

Sounds like yes, there is an adjustable truss rod. That’s good. With a 21 inch scale length (from nut to bridge) that’s an octave mandolin, not a bouzouki. But it could be a very nice instrument. Some look at octave mandolins as “short scale bouzoukis” and play them as such. A shorter scale is easier to play. An octave mandolinn normally has all courses tuned in unisons, while a bouzouki has octaves in the lower two courses. An octave mandolin is a fun and versatile instrument, and worthy of consideration as an alternative to a long scale bouzouki.

[ollaimh]

Lots of great choices out there but here's one to consider:
https://reverb.com/item/17938546-jim...tenor-bouzouki
NFI

buy the moon, plain but every one i have heard sounded great

[Chuck Leyda]

The Moon is sold. Was that you Conway?

[multidon]

That was an absolutel steal of a price for an instrument that nice. Not exactly a bouzouki but more versatile in my opinion. Whoever bought it will be a happy camper!

[Chuck Leyda]

Agreed. Now there's a Petersen in the classifieds for $850. Good time to be buying octave mandolins I guess.