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Post by alexanderreay on Aug 6, 2016 16:25:36 GMT
Hi Everyone, Two weeks ago I finished the Custom Bouzouki I have been building for myself. I am pretty happy with how it has worked out and have been learning to play it since. Strangely, this hasn't come as naturally as I had hoped. Partially because I am returning to a flat-pick and whilst I use quite a few altered tunings on the guitar, I have found I am less intuitive with GDAE, for some reason. Anyhow, I am getting there with it, it's a real pleasure to play. I said I would share some pictures once it was complete, so assuming I can manage to do that, here you go (I appreciate this is just showing off, but, they're pretty pretty and I am pretty proud of them). Thread is 2-4-1 as it seemed rude if I was sharing pictures of the Bouzouki not to share some pictures of the Custom Ariel I completed this time last year. One a year, that is the plan... It's my pension! |
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2-4-1
Aug 6, 2016 16:26:44 GMT
alig likes this
Post by alexanderreay on Aug 6, 2016 16:26:44 GMT
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2-4-1
Aug 6, 2016 16:28:01 GMT
alig likes this
Post by alexanderreay on Aug 6, 2016 16:28:01 GMT
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2-4-1
Aug 6, 2016 16:28:37 GMT
alig likes this
Post by alexanderreay on Aug 6, 2016 16:28:37 GMT
last one Attachments:
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Post by alexanderreay on Aug 6, 2016 16:29:30 GMT
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2-4-1
Aug 6, 2016 16:30:13 GMT
alig likes this
Post by alexanderreay on Aug 6, 2016 16:30:13 GMT
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Post by alexanderreay on Aug 6, 2016 16:31:27 GMT
last... I have actually replaced that truss rod cover with a macassar ebony one, now. Maple was too light there. |
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leoroberts
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Post by leoroberts on Aug 6, 2016 16:37:20 GMT
They look beautiful instruments, alexanderreay. Have you tried the zouk in GDAD? That works for me. |
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2-4-1
Aug 6, 2016 16:40:26 GMT
Post by geddarby on Aug 6, 2016 16:40:26 GMT
A good looking instrument although not my cup of tea for trying to play, as the guitar gives me enough of a problem.
I like your fretboard inlays as well as the appearance of the woods you have used.
I hope it sounds as good as it looks.
Have you posted pictures and sound clips of your Ariel which happens to be my favourite Fylde model ?
Enjoy getting to know your new instrument
Ged
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2-4-1
Aug 6, 2016 16:43:32 GMT
Post by geddarby on Aug 6, 2016 16:43:32 GMT
The Ariel pictures have just appeared as I sent my post I am rather envious
Ged
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Post by alexanderreay on Aug 6, 2016 17:06:23 GMT
They look beautiful instruments, alexanderreay . Have you tried the zouk in GDAD? That works for me. Thankyou. I briefly tried GDAD, and It did feel more familiar in some ways. I wanted to have a decent go at GDAE before I started altering tunings, though. I am getting to grips with it better now. There was that whole, 'well, it looks great, but I can't play the bloody thing' about a fortnight ago! |
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2-4-1
Aug 6, 2016 17:15:39 GMT
Post by alexanderreay on Aug 6, 2016 17:15:39 GMT
The Ariel pictures have just appeared as I sent my post I am rather envious Ged Sorry! The only recording I have of it online already is with my Folk duo thing on soundcloud - soundcloud.com/unconsciouslivingAlthough, I am on the verge of finishing and releasing our second track which also has it on. I wanted to learn bouzouki, mainly for songwriting variety, really. Plus, I am in a fortunate position to be able to make them, and the one a year for my pension wasn't a joke! |
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2-4-1
Aug 7, 2016 12:02:53 GMT
Post by ocarolan on Aug 7, 2016 12:02:53 GMT
Lovely looking instruments Alex, and I'm sure they sound great too!
I'd second Leo's suggestion of GDAD for the zouk, esp for accompaniment - I can't get the hang of it for tunes as I keep my mandolin in GDAE.
Keith
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2-4-1
Aug 8, 2016 21:10:00 GMT
Post by alexanderreay on Aug 8, 2016 21:10:00 GMT
Lovely looking instruments Alex, and I'm sure they sound great too! I'd second Leo's suggestion of GDAD for the zouk, esp for accompaniment - I can't get the hang of it for tunes as I keep my mandolin in GDAE. Keith Thankyou, I am pretty lucky to have them, they sound wonderful. I will no doubt explore GDAD, I just felt I should try and learn it in 'standard tuning', first. Although, is there even a standard tuning for bouzouki? Greek tuning would be most likely CFAD or ADAD, according to wikipedia; Irish GDAD or GDGD. Somewhere down the line I want to build a cittern, tuned GDGDG, so I would probably leave GDGD for now. Where did GDAE come from, then? Isn't that how a violin is tuned? Essentially, tuned GDAE, is this thing technically an Octave mandolin? Probably because we ship them all GDAE as standard, I feel this must be my starting point. Also, I came across this site gdaebouzouki.blogspot.co.uk/ and printed out the chord diagrams there, using the last of my printer ink. If I change the tuning now I will definitely have to buy new printer ink cartridges! Alex |
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Post by mandovark on Aug 8, 2016 21:28:01 GMT
I think GDAD has become the unofficial standard tuning for bouzoukis, at least in British and American music. Opinion seems to be more divided over octave mandolins - I think GDAE is more common, though a lot of people use GDAD. I think it probably comes down to the playing styles: GDAD is more friendly for chord-playing, and bouzoukis probably get used this way more than OMs do.
As far as I know, the only difference between an octave mandolin and a (celtic-style) bouzouki is the scale length - anything over about 23" tends to be called a bouzouki.
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Jo whoever he is.
