Unboxing a Hora Bouzouki 

This was super helpful! I've been thinking about this for years, and this may have just made my decision for me.

Thank you for unboxing and review!

Very helpful video, thank you this video helped me make my mind up on which one to buy ☺️

Does each pair of strings come in the same gauge so you can tune it in unison? I saw another video from a few years ago where the gauges in each pair were different for octave tuning. Thanks for the video!

Thanks for your review Molly. Like you, I bought a Hora Irish Bouzouki from eBay, but it was around 15 years ago. Mine came tuned GDAE with octave tuning. Since then, I have tried unison tuning which also sounds good, but I prefer octave. I have also switched over to GDAD tuning as I like that sound more. Hope you enjoy playing yours.

these are very well made, I have the mandolin and it is great.

Nice sound.. Beautiful . positive. Personality added. God bless. Hope alls happy.

What's the string action like from the factory? I'm looking at buying their "concert" model, just because it's got that nice rosette design.

Picking one of these up later on today.. looking forward to getting started with it, it's branded Ozark but I'm pretty sure it's from the same Romanian makers

Where do i get this traditional instrument?.plz suggest

I need a Thoman Portugess Mandolin. Please let me know how to order for it and the website to which ordered. Excellent finishing. The sound of it also be so melidious.

Internet bouzouki s are much easier to obtain now than when i got mine from Ireland builder J. Foley in 1997. word of advice: tune the bouzouki a step down from standard A440: you will not break the high e string trying reach standard pitch so easily, ( I broke my share of them) I TRY to use string gauges .012, 018 .016, .032 and .018, .045. using .016 on E can break. if you live in dry climate get a hole humidifier so that the top won"t crack. I have made some repairs on mine at the tail piece bridge and the headstock. my advice is Preventive in nature. the scale of mine is 25 1/2 I am noticing you have had it 3 years. hope it is still behaving okay. i sometimes use GDAD or GDAE and I octave the bottom strings. Its a fun thing to play and its a trick to go through airport security with it. they think its a weapon I stop now.. happy" charunnnnnnnging"

Would you mind if I ask you if that Bouzouki has a truss rod? I'm thinking of ordering one just like yours. Thanks!

Hora makes VERY AFFORDABLE but absolutely WONDERFULLY SOUNDING bouzouki / octave mandolins! Mine did arrive a bit damaged but due to US customs. This instrument is well made of decent wood and the sound far surpasses what the Chinese produce. Perfect for any guitar player who wants to try playing a mandolin. Really perfect for Irish, Celtic, modal Mountain music as well as Serbian and Arab music. Hora is NO beginner to luthiership. Check out their website and video. I wish they made mandolins. Ok, now for the versatility. You can tune the bass G and D strings in unison with wound strings OR you can tune them like a 12 string with one wound string and one bare steel string. And you can tune the bouzouki to standard violin / mandolin tuning OR to others like GDAD or ADAD. It is awkward to hold so I recommend having a luthier install a strap button in the neck heel (do NOT do it yourself unless you know what you're doing). My bouzouki arrived with some sharp fret edges which my luthier had to file down to keep my fingers from bleeding. The action was too high for me so I sanded down the bridge which was easy since the top is flat. I'd like to try a wider bridge to get even more vibration transmission. But anyways I really recommend this instrument. Just because it's made in Rumania and costs less than 300 bucks doesn't mean it's junk.

Where did you buy it from?! Please send the site where you bought it

I'd replace that tailpiece with a very special version of this tailpiece that has holes for the strings & even hooks.

I would say the way it's strung would be mandochello. I have a Hora I bought on ebay over 15 years ago. I really like it. It is my go to. I don't have a good case for it. It came with a basically useless gig bag. I wrap it in a blanket when transporting. Mines tuned with octave strings on the lower two bouts. I also had to lower the bridge on mine.

That song was Chicken Fried by Zack Brown.

What strings do you buy for it?

I wishbu had watched this before I bought my Blue Moon bouzouki for about $150 more than the Hora. It looks as good as the Blue Moon. I had read/seen disparaging reviews of the Hora, but it looks and sounds good. I had to have my fret bars files dow and a buzz in the springs dealt with.

Hás It thrusrod ?

I have the same instrument. I just put better Rubner tuners on it. I was worried about the box, too. They're putting less banjo-like bridges on the newer ones.

Molly the Bouzouki aka Octave Mandolin is actually tuned like a Fiddle. The Zero fret lowers the action which makes it easier to fret.

Madam, Namaste🙏 What is the price of this Bazouki. It is so beautiful.

Is it electrified or ordinary?

Hello, I'm thinking or getting one of these and was hoping you may be able to tell me how much your entire shipping costs were (assuming you're in the US)? Did you have any additional fees that you had to pay (customs, etc.)?? How long did it take to come in after you ordered it?? Thanks!

after she opened the first box i was asking myself if she was sure the thing came from romania and not russia. nice instrument, adequately priced. made by skilful cheap labour in romania and to be available to the people who are not rich.

what model is it?

It's tuned like a Fiddle

... but why didn't you play anything?

sounds great and you are very cute!

"Tuners like a classical guitar, which is kind of fun". I would say not so much "fun" as tortuous in terms of string changing.

You could use Google translate...😊

Bouzouki is a Greek instrument....this is just a Chinese copy....