Irish Bouzoukis
Hand Made Irish Bouzoukis
Irish Bouzoukis are large relatives of the mandolin family. They evolved during the 1960s and 1970s Irish folk music revival, when someone began using a Greek Bouzouki as a background rhythm instrument. The sound quickly became a very desirable addition to the traditional mix of instruments commonly used in Irish Music. Local luthiers fused the Greek Bouzouki with the earlier Cittern and created the “new Irish Bouzouki”.
Confusion about this unique stringed instrument doesn’t stop there. Depending on who you ask, the Irish Bouzouki can also be called a Cittern or Octave Mandolin. To simplify matters, Gernandt refers to his 8 string (four course) instruments as Irish Bouzoukis or Octave Mandolins, depending on the body dimensions and scale length. He refers to the 10 string (five course) instruments as Citterns. Each of these custom instruments have their own unique voice.
Bob prefers western cedar for the soundboards for the Irish Bouzoukis, because it provides a darker, warmer, more open voice to the instrument. Spruce is generally used on the Octave Mandolin, giving this instrument a brighter tone with more projection.
Hand Made Irish Bouzouki Specifications
| Overall Length | Overall Width | Body Depth | Body Length | Scale Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
35 1/4″ |
13 1/2″ |
4″ |
16 1/4″ |
23 1/2″ |
Standard tunings: GDAD or GDAE
Custom Built Octave Mandolins
Octave mandolin specs (these are from the same body outline as the Irish Bouzouki with a shallower depth and a shorter 20.75″ scale length
| Overall Length | Overall Width | Body Depth | Body Length | Scale Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
32 1/2″ |
13 1/2″ |
3 1/8″ |
16 1/4″ |
20 3/4″ |
Standard tuning: GDAE one octave below the mandolin.
If you would like to talk to Luthier Bob Gernandt about building a hand made Irish Bouzouki to your exact specifications and preferences, call 828-488-1144 or contact us by email here.
