In response to the comments on this post, which turned into a treatise on bouzoukis, rolling chords, traditional Celtic style, and diadokokinesis, here is a picture of my bouzouki being cautiously played by Mr. Attitude. This one is an octave mandolin, which means the pairs of strings are tuned one octave lower than a standard mandolin. Some players string a bouzouki like a 12-string guitar, with one of each of the sets of lower strings of a different gauge and tuned an octave higher than the other, but I just use sets of identical strings.
This one was made by Flatiron and has a spruce top with birds eye maple back and sides- very pretty wood. I can't say I'm an expert at playing it, but I love it for its deep, resonant tone.
He looks sleepy.
ReplyDeleteI think it may have been time for a nap, although I do not remember a nap being taken yesterday!
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful instruments, Eleutheros. One question: having never played an instrument with a shaped back like the one in your photos, how does it affect the tone? I know that is the historical shape of the mandolin, but I'm just curious what tonal properties it has.
ReplyDeleteI was very fortunate to buy that one while we were double income, no kids. ;) I saw Tim O'Brien and Matt Flinner play them at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and I was hooked. Does Flatiron still make them anymore, after they left Bozemat? I haven't seen anything like that online lately. All I know is, I like mine, I came within an inch of selling it when I needed the money, and I'm grateful that I didn't.
Oops, I meant to say Bozeman.
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