Excellent video. Quite agree about different types of backs. I play an Ozark 2243e. I'm not the slimmest person so if I hold tight against my body or move it away there is definitely a difference, so this means to me that the back must be vibrating to quite an extent.

Thanks for the fair and rigorous comparison. I am currently looking at buying a bouzouki, probably long scale Irish. My favourite of yours is the first one with octave 3rd and 4th courses. What is more, as common with these instruments, the octave up strings are hit first (nearer to player’s head. On my Kamaka 8-string ukulele this comes as standard and my ‘new’ renaissance 4-course guitar I had custom-string that way. It is clearly written up as a historical option for providing the bell- Ike jangle that I love. However, as you pointed out, your last demo with the Brazilian rosewood back also had that sound! Amazing. The only wild card for me is the fixed bridge on first and floating on last demo. Wonderful instruments those 2 and so well presented thanks again and best wishes. Martin

I have a 90s vintage Octavius which I ultimately decided to modify to ditch the octave strings in favor of unison courses. It wasn't punchy enough for the tumultuous sessions I was doing at the time; the guitar bridge seemed to make for a quieter sound. In any event it has aged nicely & gotten louder & sweeter-sounding. I now use it in my home studio for a variety of exotica. Guitar bridge seems to make it friendlier to aggressive processing, with both a mic and (especially) the Highlander pickup.

Nice video - enjoyed it! Favourite is the last Fylde. I have a MacNeela which is spruce with rosewood back and sides, I find it quite powerful when it needs to be. Just a hobbyist but absolutely love the sound these things produce. Well done!

I have both a Fylde Longscale bouzouki and a Fylde Octavius, and a Sobell. The Longscale is my favourite, a lovely tone and light action; the Ocvtavius is warmer and deeper, and the Sobell is a very deep, very loud tone, and not as 'forgiving' as the Fylde. I dislike the chord 'thrashing' rhythm-guitar-style that many musicians do on the bouzouki, often allowing open strings to hide a multitude of sins, but for slow picking or tune playing, and Andy-Irvine-style fingering, the Fylde Longscale is great. Good strings, phosphor bronze are my preference, make all the difference.

O yay~! Anything regarding Celtic Bouzouks is welcome! Longscale is my preference, unless you can change my mind 8-). I don't own one just yet. (other side of the world/Land of Oz). Subbed!

Lovely instruments ! I think the Oddy tenor guitar may sound better (less buzzy) if tuned to the traditional C-G-D-A.

Thank you! I am in the market for a luthier-built bouzouki right now and the lack of high quality recordings was making the process infuriating. Interested to hear if you’ve had the chance to play any of Paul Shippey’s.

Great comparison

Love this video, thank you. I play a Joe Foley instrument, and have had two guitars converted into guizouks. Thanks for those string gauges. Are your lower strings phosphor bronze? Which are your favorites?

my 1998 Octavious has Sapele back and sides with the cedar top.

Thanks for the Video

Helo Do you know any irish bouzuoki makers Im looking that Where could i find and get irish bouzuoki?? How could i check out i dont know the any ideas , please if you know irish bouzuoki instrument makers or any website , social accounts ID. i will definitely check it out

Have you ever played a Joe Foley bouzouki and if so what did you think of it?