Help with ID'ing a Mandolin

[nikdr]

..hi wonder if anyone an shed more light- actually on research i believe ths to be a Bouzouki from a Greek Manufacturer ( TRANSLATED THE LABEL) - i think its pre 50's as has 6 strings with 8 pegs at head - bit battered - i think mother of pearl inlay

[nikdr]

[NickR]

You have not shown the whole instrument- it would be useful to see the whole of the front. From what I can see, it is a mandolin but if the neck is longer, then it is not. The tuners with their circular buttons suggest pre- 1950, if not even pre-1940 but the label tells us 1962.If it is the maker's label, then he may have had a nice stock of old tuners he was using up.

[nikdr]

Yes the neck is very long so am thinking Bouzouki -and I think the repair date is 1967
Production
GEORGIOSA M. TSIAKKIROS
FAMAGUSTA (AMMOHOSTOS)
Production and repair of all stringed musical instruments.
Ammochostos (Famagusta), .... / .... .... .... 196 ..

REPAIRS
CHRIST MARK
The manufacture and the best repair (&#128578 of various musical string instruments.
Ammochostos (Famagusta), 12/05/1967
#

[Dave_KC]

The language looks Greek, but beyond that I have no idea.

[allenhopkins]

Bridge saddle's notched for eight strings. Show us "full frontal" and we'll respond more informatively.

[babis]

The language looks Greek, but beyond that I have no idea.

Hello everyone,

the language is greek, because in Cyprus (Ammohostos is in Cyprus) they also speak Greek (and turkish, in the occupied northen side)...
This is a 100 % greek bouzouki. It is a 6 strings (3 double). In greek bouzoukis, before 1950, they used to put 8 keys because some players added an extra 0.11 string to the top string (in a way to get a (1x0.21+2x0.11) + 2x014 + 2x0.11 string set... and yes, one key was useless). So, some later made 6 string bouzoukis kept this tradition of 8 keys on the headstock, even if they had only 6 strings...

The instrument is in bad condition, but I would kindly ask you to respect it.
If you don't want it, I am sure that greek members of the forum will find intrest.

Babis Papadimitriou

[nikdr]

Hello everyone,

the language is greek, because in Cyprus (Ammohostos is in Cyprus) they also speak Greek (and turkish, in the occupied northen side)...
This is a 100 % greek bouzouki. It is a 6 strings (3 double). In greek bouzoukis, before 1950, they used to put 8 keys because some players added an extra 0.11 string to the top string (in a way to get a (1x0.21+2x0.11) + 2x014 + 2x0.11 string set... and yes, one key was useless). So, some later made 6 string bouzoukis kept this tradition of 8 keys on the headstock, even if they had only 6 strings...

The instrument is in bad condition, but I would kindly ask you to respect it.
If you don't want it, I am sure that greek members of the forum will find intrest.

Babis Papadimitriou

hello ll - well thankou - wow there are some short and curt folk on here - the reason i came on here was out of respect for the instrument t came to me in this fashion after i found it in a charity shop - i have photographed it and loved it and because i repect it is why i joined this mandolin forum to finf out more- but these replies seem very short tempered - i shall thankyou and my Bouzouki and i shall be on out merry way

[allenhopkins]

Bridge saddle's notched for eight strings. Show us "full frontal" and we'll respond more informatively.

Actually, on a second look, saddle appears notched for ten strings, unless the two outside double notches are more ornamental than useful...?

[allenhopkins]

Bridge saddle's notched for eight strings. Show us "full frontal" and we'll respond more informatively.

Actually, on a second look, saddle appears notched for ten strings, unless the two outside double notches are more ornamental than useful...?

Also, from the OP:

...these replies seem very short tempered - i shall thankyou and my Bouzouki and i shall be on out merry way...

I think you're misinterpreting what we're saying; none of the responses seem ill-tempered at all. Those of us who replied briefly were just seeking a full picture of your instrument, so that we could make more informed -- and informative -- comments.

I'm not sure why you found our comments unfriendly, but, speaking for myself, that was far from my intention. I hope that the information we were able to provide is useful to you.

[mrmando]

The action is high, even though the bridge has been tipped over on its side (it looks as though someone might have done that deliberately in an attempt to lower the action). This means the neck is most likely badly out of alignment and will need a reset.

If you are trying to sell the instrument, sales are not allowed on the discussion board. You should post it in a classified ad.

Demanding that people show respect for this bouzouki is a little bizarre. No one has respected it for a long time; that is why it's in such bad condition. Show it some respect yourself and have it repaired before insisting that anyone else respect it.