Bouzouki On Choosing a Zouk

Subject: Question
Date: Tue, 7 Sep 2004 13:54:00 -0400

Hello,

Greetings Guy,

I would like to say that your website so very informative, I've enjoyed the feedback and your FAQs....this helps soo much when making a decision.

thanks for tuning in...

My question is this:
Does it make a difference as to where a bouzouki is made : Japan, Korea, or China??

Yes, it can make a difference...however, I've seen good and bad from each country. The zouks are no longer being made in Japan...and, yes, the earlier models of these are of a very nice quality...the newer ones being made, such as the Johnson or Trinity College imports, are a great value...even so, they all need set-up work and it's quite critical that the strings be changed out to the GHS Zouk strings for the best sound possible right from the start...

I've heard rumors but nothing really concrete. I have seen the Japanese made go for more $.

Yes, they are harder to come by and becoming rarer these days...

...and what is sonokelin fingerboard???

All I know is that it's some type of hard wood...not sure where it originates...

And what is the difference between having a maple vs. a mahogany neck ??

The looks and the rigidness...Maple is a harder wood...mahogany somewhat softer...maple will usually show much more figure in the pattern than mahogany...such as a flame...mahogany is a darker wood. Maple is usually more expensive than mahogany. However, on these import zouks, the maples are stained much darker than usual...

Hope this helps, Mickey

This has been quite a learning curve

Thanks
Guy