I just bought this exact one second hand, paid about $200 in total with shipping, waiting for it in the mail. After watching your video I feel kinda confident that it will be a fine starter instrument. I've wanted a bouzouki or OM for a while now. Just didn't want to shell out the 1,000+ that most of them seem to cost. So, we'll see... ! thanks!
I had mine delivered yesterday - took four days to the UK - out of the box the setup was spot on - action was as the most common recommendations I found on the Internet. Intonation was very good though just slightly out on the G sting which could be improved by a compensated bridge. Slight relief in the neck but there seems to be no reason to adjust the truss rod. No string buzz. Would heartily recommend!
THANK YOU for the review. I feel the same struggle as you do. Often you see instruments which you are interested in but can't find any reviews or videos online. Well done, mate!
Nice review!!! I've thought about ordering one of these types of instruments, but have not, because I wasn't sure about ordering something from outside the USA.
I honestly thought the same thing. Plus I like to try something before I buy it. But cause of the limited selection out there I took a $300 chance and it worked out well for me.
Thomann is a German cyberstore, the largest in Europe, but I have also found Irish bouzoukis and octave mandolins by Folkfriends in Germany of high quality as well. At present I am trying to find a six string dulcister, but in any case I have always been interested in being able to learn how to play Irish bouzouki or octave mandolin. Which is the difference with an instrument in diatonic scale?
Excellent video, thank you! I actually bought one myself and am loving it. Was wondering, what is the chordal song with the gorgeous melody that you play? The one that goes D G D D then the nice A Bm.. is it a traditional song or a pop country tune? All the best, Sam
I want to learn the Octave Mandolin as I like the lower tone, what being a bass player and all that. Could I still follow a Mandolin lesson but play an Octave Mandolin? (if tuned to GDAE)
You may have to adjust fingerings now and then but mandolin tutorials should be fine for getting into it. Also you should be able to follow Irish Bouzouki lessons if you tune GDAD
I used to have a number of Hora instruments, back in the interregnum between Romania opening up to the West (after the fall of the totalitarian regime that had the cheek to call itself socialist) and Romania joining the EU. Back then, you could get a bouzouki for about $60, a gorgeous tear-drop shaped travel guitar for $45 with similar prices on Mandolins and Mandolas, etc. They were great instruments to try out new avenues for creating songs. The ones I advanced on I ended up replacing with "better" instruments and selling the Hora versions. I kept the travel guitar though., It's fine for finger picking, but not as good strummed. They don't sell now to individuals, I believe, you have to be a registered dealer. Ah those were the days.
Well done. Sounds good and the price is crazy all things considered. Wife would smack me silly if I bring another stringed anything home right now else I'd probably grab one. Your mic setup is crazy, very realistic and spacious. I kept taking my headphones off to see if maybe the sound was coming out of my room speakers and not my headphones. What are you using for that?
Lol Absolutely nothing. I record everything with my Samsung S9. I have been lucky cause to my ears its what sounds best. Ive tried Mics but prefer it this way.
