The Bazouki or Bouzouki is an eight stringed musical instrument, the body traditionally made from a gourd with a wooden top piece and a long neck on it, similar to a lute. The Bazouki originated in Turkey, but was developed in Greece before being adopted by Irish Folk musicians which is when the body was started to be produced with flat wooden backs. Originally the Bazouki had six strings, but was adapted by Greek players to utilize eight strings tuned C, F, A, D which is one tone above the top four strings of a guitar. This tuning makes for ideal accompaniment to other instruments, especially Guitars and Mandolas.
 
When the Bazouki was redesigned with a flat back, this made it very similar to the Mandola, except that the length of the neck on the Bazouki is longer, giving a greater range of notes and a sharper sound as it also uses thinner strings. The flat-backed Bazouki is usually a little shorter in scale than the traditional Greek Bazouki and is tuned to G, D, A, E or G, D, A, D. Only flat backed Bazoukis can be tuned this way, a traditional Greek round backed Bazouki must be tuned to C, F, A, D. There has also been a recent trend especially in folk-rock bands to tune the Bazouki to an open chord tuning, this makes picking out melodies a lot easier and can bring the Bazouki out from being an accompanying instrument to a lead instument.

PRICE GUIDE

Our Custom Shop has been repairing and modifying Bazouki's for over 20 years.
Below is a general price guide. If a repair is not listed, either call or use the
e-mail to get a definite answer.

General Price Guide for Bazouki Repairs

Setup
Our set up includes fingerboard shaping and resurfacing. Hand fitted and adjustment of tuning pegs.
Hand carving and adjustment of the bridge. Fitting and adjustment of the sound post
Complete Setup Includes Re-String, Fret Buff,, Intonation and Action Adjust, Fingerboard Treatment,t ,
Tuners Adjusted, Replacement of Springs
Electronic pick ups Installed
Bridge Replaced $25.00

Links

Oriskany

Silverbush

Kyle Music

Shubb Capos

Bazouki.com

List of Services

1. Truss Adjust Straighten Fingerboard/Correct Relief
2. Action Adjustment
3. Intonation Adjustment - Acoustic/Electric Set String Length
4 .Compound Finish Compound, Buff & Polish Finish

Bazouki Bridge Work
Shave down bridge to allow correct string tension/angle and correct action that is too high.
Re-Set Bridge Includes Sanding Under Bridge ( If Necessary )
Cracks Sealed .

Broken Headstocks
Worn Pin Holes on Headstock




Fingerboard
Stressed Necks Straighten and humidity treatment.
Plane Fingerboard - Square Up Fingerboard
Complete Fret Job Level.


Electronics
Run Tailpiece Ground On Solid Body
Install Output Jack
Install Pre-amp (Pre-amp Not Included)
Complete Rewire Standard Wiring & Custom Wiring
Hum & Electrostatic Shielding
Transducer Installation Saddle Type - Microphone (Mini flex) - Sound hole w/ End pin Jack

Structural Repairs
Replace Tuning Machines, Fill Old Holes and ReBore
Broken Peg Head reglued
Cracks/Separations at headstock

Bridge Correction
Problem: This procedure is to move the bridge.
Low tunings and thick strings will never play in tune with standard manufacturing placement.

Solution:
1. Measure height to set bridge for intonation and new bridge placement.
2. String up with the gauge for final set up.
3. Shape and sand bridge to string height and move to intonation spot.
4. String up, intonate and tune to pitch.

Bazouki Appraisal Service

Get current market value for resale and insurance purposes. Send a color jpeg or picture,copy of receipt description of the instrument and any other information needed
for the appraisal. Include a $ 25.00 check or money order for each instrument. We keep a copy for our records when you need a third party verification. Finally we send a
certificate of the appraisal to you.

Chicago Guitar Shop
3021 N. Troy
Chicago,IL. 60618