Frequently Asked Questions about Bouzoukis
Subject: Help me buy a bouzouki please! Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2003 07:01:46 -0800 Date: Fri, 10 Aug 2001 23:59:20 -0600 Date: Sun, 5 Aug 2001 11:37:34 -0600 Date: Sun, 1 Oct 2000 12:02:24 -0600
Date: Sun, 21 Mar 2004 17:44:13 -0500
Greetings Jami,
I'm glad to assist:
Folk of the Wood... First of all, Thank you for leading me into the wonderful world of the mandolin and this family of instruments. My wife purchased a Kentucky A - style from you as a gift to me a couple of years ago. Last year I bought a Morgan Monroe Phantom. Having studied and played classical guitar for many years, I naturally have a deep love for acoustic music. The mandolin is such an absolute joy to play and is something I look forward to every day. This leads me to the following questions... I am very interested in purchasing a bouzouki from FOTW. I am leaning toward the Morgan Monroe M-OUKI since their mandolin has been so pleasing. Is the M-OUKI of the same quality?
Yes, the Morgan Monroe is of excellent quality...as is true with all imports, including your MM Phantom, it only needs to be properly set up...
I really don't know much about Trinity College instruments. Are they not made in China?
The Trinity College's are still being made in Korea as of today...and, as far as I can tell, they're all made in the same factory including the Johnson, the Trinity College, and the Morgan Monroe's...however, this may change in the very near future, for Saga is moving, and intends to be completely moved, their entire product line to their China factory.
We do have some Morgan Monroe bouzouki's in stock now...
How does the workmanship and sound quality compare to Morgan Monroe? I was also curious about the Johnson MA-500, something of a hybrid, isn't it?
The Johnson MA-500 is more of a medieval profile with a deeper body...it's a non-traditional body style that is unique unto itself...it would make a great zook for a reenactment since it looks so much like it should come from the middle ages...I believe we also have these in stock...
Now, for a comparison across the slate, the Morgan Monroe, Johnson Celtic and Trinity College have the exact same specifications only with differing appointments...so expect them all to have relative tonal quality and playability...
The MA-500 would stand apart as having a deeper tone...and not being a traditional celtic zook...
Mickey
Since I am unable to play and compare these instruments your insight and opinion is most welcome before I make my decision to purchase. Thank You! Jami Vause
Mickey
Thanks for the reply.
You're most welcome...
Could you please explain what is meant by "octave strings " for the bouzouki low end and "unision strings" on the low end for the octave.
The octave strings on the bouzouki include a smaller gauge string that adjoins the larger gauge strings on both the G and D chorus. That is if you tune your Zouk to E/A/D/G...these smaller strings are tuned 1 octave higher than the G and D...so you would have from low strings to high:
gG/dD/AA/EE
This adds a certain brightness on the low end that allows for more definition on the low end...
I thought the octave was tuned just like a regular mando but with a longer scale length. I also thought that the bouzouki was tuned like the mando ,E/A/D/G, but something was different about the zouk that I hadnt figured out.
Zouks can be tuned in myriad ways...some Celtic players tune them as follows: G/D/A/D which gives the instrument a more drone feel...yes, it can also be tune one octave lower than a mandolin (this is what I do)...and, then there's the Greek tuning where the instrument originated...
Please excuse my ignorance as I am not that musically literate yet. I am trying to prove wrong that "old adage that you can't teach an old dog new tricks. " What I am looking for is a different sound to add to ascoustic playing at our church, playing both old hymns and contemporary songs with a celtic flavor.
The Zouk may serve you well in this setting...however, so would the Octave...and, the Octave requires less stretch to reach melodies and chords. If you're playing mostly back-up and rhythm techniques, my suggestion would be to try out the Octave.
Hope something here helps...Mickey
Thanks for your patience.
Bob Tosi
Subject: Testimonial and Bouzouki Question
Thanks so much for getting the Johnson Celtic Bouzouki MA-400 to me so
quickly and so well packed. The instrument is in perfect condition and I
love it! I have never played a bouzouki before but heard one on a CD-ROM
and knew I had to learn. This bouzouki is just great. I have been playing
for the last 4 hours with a chord chart I got off the internet and have been
having great fun! Thanks - you have been the only retailer I could find
that sells Celtic bouzoukis at affordable prices.
I do have one question; When it comes time to change the strings, how is it
done? I am a guitar player and can change strings on my acoustic and my
electric easily. However, looking at the bouzouki tail piece, I am not sure
how changing the strings is done. I am sure that strings will pop sooner or
later and I will need to change them. I live in Buffalo, NY and have never
seen an Irish bouzouki here once so I have no one to turn to here for
guidance. Can you guide me through the process? Thanks.
You store is great and I will be glad to spread the word about how great you
store is to deal with. Thanks for everything! Take care!
Kevin Kruger
Buffalo, NY
Greetings Kevin,
Thanks for the positive update...
I've posted your testimonial and question on our newest forum section (only a few days old and already 10 members strong)...if you get a chance please join us there by registering and posting your further bouzouki questions...the link to our "Forums" section is available on our homepage.
Changing your strings on your new Bouzouki only requires removing the tailpiece cover. The tailpiece cover slides off away from the instrument. Upon removing the tailpiece cover, you'll notice that all the strings have loops and are hooked on to small tangs. When changing strings, be sure to change one at a time so that your bridge doesn't move. Otherwise, the intonation will shift...
Thanks for spreading the word about us! Mickey
Subject: Re: Sam's Bouzouki Page
Mickey, as per our conversation today, here is one of the ways to get some
info on Greek bouzouokis, music and a great maker in Australia...Sam's been a
big help to our band, so you two should have a time trading stories and
info..Also, look up bouzouki makers on his page, as there is a picture of
Valerie's baglama on Dimitri's page.
Greetings Ray,
I checked out the images...wow! And, some really colorful photography on this site. Thanks for sharing it with me...I've bookmarked it for future reference.
Also, do you know of any way I could get a custon(read:heavier) set of
greek bouzouki strings? I'm currently getting them from Elderly...usually
it's GHS. I know Daddario makes them, but they are relatively
light(read:slinky) too...I'd like to try heavier ones on the Sage 2, since
it's built for octave mando strings, which are WAY heavier......
Thanks......Ray
We also carry the GHS bouzouki strings...and the D'Addario...
You could attempt to customize a set with light gauge sets designed for 12 string guitar.
Stay in touch...Mickey
HEY Mickey,
MY QUESTION ABOUT THE BOUZOUKI WAS IS IT THE SAME
CHORDS,SCALES ECT. AS THE MANDO? I RECENTLY SAW DERVISH LIVE IN SONORA AND
THESE GUYS COULD PLAY THE BOUZOUKI, FIDLE AND MANDOS !! DON ANDERSON
Hello Don,
Sorry it's taken sooo long to get back with you...I'm now getting 200 s or so a day.
Bouzouki Questions:
If you tune the bouzouki to octave mandolin tuning (how I tune mine), it would have the same chording positions and the same scale patterns as the mandolin...even though the patterns are the same, you'll find yourself using different fingers to reach the same notes as you would on mandolin. I find myself substituting my little finger on the zook, where my third finger would normally play part of a chord or a melody on the mandolin.
Traditional bouzouki tuning:
The tuning for bouzouki can vary:
G/D are tuned in octaves...similar to a 12-string
A/E are tuned in unison...
This would be similar to an octave mando...
Now, tuning for the bouzouki in Greek music is tuned: C/F/A/D
Tuning for Irish bouzouki is D/A/D/G or D/A/D/A
Let me know if you have any further questions or if I can assist you with anything else...
Mickey Cochran
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