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-   -   Bouzoukis, octave mandolins and planxty (https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=235925)

Icemagic 12-12-2011 07:50 PM

Bouzoukis, octave mandolins and planxty
 
I was familiar with Andy Irvine and have liked Christy Moore for some time. I knew they had been in a band called Planxty but never got the chance to hear much of them. When I heard the song The West Coast of Clare, I was floored. The way Andy Irvine and Donal Lunny counter each other and the melody just moves me.

Here's the links to the recorded version and a live version if anyone wants to listen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2c0Ph5FmGo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeAqCmm7yNA

In any case, now I have the urge to buy a bouzouki or an octave mandolin.
From a guitar players perspective, has any one taken up the bouzouki?
Any recomendations on a quality beginners instrument? What's the Yamaha FG of Bouzoukis?

bkharmony 12-12-2011 08:45 PM

"What's the Yamaha FG of Bouzoukis?"

Trinity College instruments.

http://www.elderly.com/brand/90N_trinity%20college.html

wcap 12-12-2011 09:06 PM

I've wanted a bouzouki for many years.

We picked up a used cheap octave mandolin at a garage sale this past summer. It is not a very high quality instrument, but it is very cool.

This thread (and the second clip especially) is giving me serious bouzouki gas.

HHP 12-12-2011 09:18 PM

Might check out a players named Roger Landes, specializes in the bouzouki.

tdq 12-12-2011 10:12 PM

I'm not particularly into bazouki, but when I stumbled across the transatlantic sessions (and watch almost all of them) I began to love Donal Lunny and the obvious joy he has when playing. He's ubiquitous, almost omnipresent when it comes to contempory Celtic music.

sumokids 12-12-2011 11:02 PM

Beth Patterson
 
I know this isn't on topic, but for really cool Irish bouzouki you can't beat Beth Patterson. Yet another reason to visit New Orleans regularly.

Here's a fun one:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0eLbX_qP9k

And here's a killer instrumental:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IO2Tn...eature=related

-SK

Icemagic 12-13-2011 10:00 AM

Thanks for the responses folks. I was hoping the Yamaha FG of bouzoukis was closer to the price of the Yamaha FG of guitars but what can you gonna?

I thought Donnal was familiar and since I love the Transatlantic Sessions that must be why.

Thanks for the links and ideas.

sevenpalms 12-13-2011 12:01 PM

They're great and a lot of fun to play. If you already have the guitar skills then you should be able to transition to an OM without too much difficulty...after learning all the new chords of course.

There's a real nice Petersen in the Classifieds on Mandolin Cafe for a great price....(I'm not affiliated in anyway). Good luck.

devellis 12-13-2011 12:33 PM

I actually find the playing style to be quite different on guitar and octave mandolin, that is if you play melody. Chord strumming would be less difficult but the double strings and some of the stretches involved on octave or bouzouki may be a challenge, at least initially. If I were a strummer, I'd probably want to find open chord shapes, both for the sustaining drone notes and for ease of fingering. They have a unique sound, for sure. My octave mandolin is a Trillium that I've had for a number of years but don't actually play hardly at all, just because I spend my playing time primarily with guitar. The Trilliums are very nice instruments, though, handmade by Bob Abrams in New Hampshire.

GerryinAZ 12-13-2011 02:56 PM

Octaves are generally in the 20-23" scale range. If you go longer than that you start getting into the 'Zouk range.

If you want to play melody and some accompaniment / chord comp'ing you would probably want to go with the Octave. I had a custom flat top made for me with a 20" scale and it is relatively easy to play melody, but the chord comp'ing isn't as full and droning as the longer scale Zouks. When I am doing the sideman/comp'ing thing I play one of my Zouks.

martinedwards 01-01-2012 03:34 AM

Planxty really shook up the celtic folk world because of the harmonies. before them celtic folk was mainly in unison. listen to the Dubliners or the Pogues to see whjat I mean.....

and they were the first to really use the zouk.

and of course the guitar bodied zouk was completely Donal Luny's fault!

Maryc-k 01-01-2012 07:39 AM

I own both a Trillium cittern and Andy Irvine's Mandola (Andy ordered another with a few more frets). These are great instruments. I live about 20 minutes from Bob. You could not meet a nicer person. He has made quite a few instruments for some really great players, including John Doyle.

Nikos 10-19-2012 07:39 AM

guizouki
 
Andy was here last year this time, great little concert at the Sail, Power, and Steam museum in Rockland. I just sent him a pic of my new guizouki (8 string guitar body) w. 24" scale. this worked great on a mando body but even better on a small D shape guitar....2 customers now raving about them. This newest one is available ---www.nikosapollonio.com

Jason Paul 10-20-2012 04:23 PM

I really don't know much about the bouzouki or the octave mandolin, but I absolutely LOVE Planxty!

And I know this is a guitar forum, but Liam O'Flynn is a fantastic piper and whistle player.

... as you were... :)

Jason


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