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Wednesday, 7 November 2007

How to convert a guitar into a bouzouki

There a some websites to be found on the net which might be useful for those who want to try out the bouzouki without spending too much money. Just take an old guitar and make some adjustments. Here are some tutorials, some with lots of photos. But don't blame me, if it does not work!








https://www.keithhemsley.me.uk/guizouki.php


You can find another article here:
http://www.dennishavlena.com/mandolin.htm

And another article:
http://www.frets.com/FretsPages/Luthier/Technique/Guitar/Structural/8StConvert/8stconvert.html

and another one:
https://imgur.com/r/Luthier/3Jm5Y


Converting a 12 String Guitar: http://www.dennishavlena.com/bougit.htm





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8 comments:

  1. philbert8 November 2007 at 10:00

    I have to say that this will cause significant distortion of the top due to the increased tension .Considering the effort required for a luthier I would not recommend it for anyone .See Graham McDonalds book for a complete discussion .
    Phill kearney www.kearneyluthier.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Irish Bouzouki8 November 2007 at 18:30

    Hi Philbert,

    thanks a lot for this comment. I am not a luthier, so I can't tell if this works or not. I just found the article and thought it could be if interest to someone.

    Doesn't the tension depend on the strings that are used? So wouldn't it be possible to use thin strings and avoid strong tension?

    ReplyDelete
  3. philbert9 November 2007 at 11:49

    Hi Yes the tension depends on 2 variables The scale length and the gauge .If you use lighter strings the tension is less but so is the volume and the strings buzz more .I can copy a article for you if you wish and email as PDF .phil

    ReplyDelete
  4. Irish Bouzouki9 November 2007 at 16:28

    Hi Phil,

    this is interesting. Yes, it would be great if you could copy this article for me. irish-bouzouki@web.de
    By the way: if you have got anything interesting to be posted on this blog feel free to let me know.

    Frank

    ReplyDelete
  5. philbert10 November 2007 at 08:36

    Thanks I have sent you a very good article by my friend Graham Mc Donald I will see if I can contribute any thing worthwhile. Phill

    ReplyDelete
  6. Rory1 February 2008 at 19:49

    I have done quite a few bouzouki conversions from guitars- all with great success & no structural issues & moderate cost. A couple of things to consider- if you convert a 6 string guit to a 4 string zouk, you have an alternative sounding 4 course instrument that is easier to pick than an 8 string.
    For full 8 string bouzouki guitar- I have taken old 12 string guitars and adapted them-the resulting string tension is less than the 12 string configuration. Lastly, what I do to keep the conversion cost down is carefully re-carve the neck & fretboard to the desired width without removing it from the body. This idea does work & works well, with the proper considerations taken.
    Rory
    Sea to Sky Stringed Instruments

    ReplyDelete
  7. keko perera23 January 2012 at 19:06

    Thanks for the post! here is my guitar converted. Great sound!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuSCuEpaVTg&list=UUSugDAxmUhUIVNFP1x9cWBQ

    ReplyDelete
  8. Muzik Haus14 January 2019 at 14:54

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    ReplyDelete

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