The Yona Travel Guitar is not the only unusual or exotic stringed instument which Yivgeni makes so well. The Yona at this time only has a hint of his talent with wood, sound and even more exquisit inlay. Yivgeni makes mandolins, udes and Bazoukis. For those interested the bazoukis on this page can be purchased for as low as $1500, which is extremely low for what it it can sell for. We expect to add photos of yivgeni's other instruments soon. Just like the "Yona" All of the work is done here in Israel. If you are interested in a bazouki, mandolin or any of Yivgen's other fine woodwork and instuments. please contact us from the "Yona" page. See the Neshama! Our full sized "Guitar with a Soul" here.

The refugees from Asia Minor, who came to Greece following the exchange of populations between Greece and Turkey in 1922-23, brought with them few belongings, but all their centuries-old customs and habits. Dancing and singing were a basic element of their social life and in an age when the phonograph had not yet become widespread, the barrel-organ was the main way that composers could propagate their songs. Each new song would become a hit if it were impressed on an organ, while organ-grinders made sure that they always had songs that their audiences liked.

However, the instrument that most non-Greeks associate with Greece and its music, completing the inevitable "set" with the "syrtaki" dance, is the bouzouki.

This instrument was known to all the ancient cultures of Asia, Africa and Europe and is morphologically related to a family of instruments called " tambourades", being one of its best-known forms. It has been used for centuries by Greek musicians and is referred to in many old folk songs. As with all musical instruments, the bouzouki family is represented by four sizes: the baglama (the smallest), the bouzoukaki, the familiar bouzouki and the bouzoukomana (largest).

Originally the bouzouki had only two strings, with a third added later. As rebetiko music became more popular and the songs increasingly complex, bigger bouzouki bands were formed and the instrument was further "perfected" with the addition of a fourth string, while its pear-shaped sound box grew until it was little different from a mandolin, except for the length of the arm. Inevitably, its authenticity was lost, especially after the introduction of microphones and the electric guitar. Thus, where once the players often made their bouzoukis themselves, now they are made in workshops on an almost industrial scale.

The Bouzouki is a long-necked Lute developed in Greece from its Turkish roots. It comes from a branch of the lute family. It was originally a 6 string instrument (DAD) but more modern Greek makers started making an 8 string bouzouki tuned CFAD, one tone below the top four of a guitar. The original Greek style bouzoukis are still very popular, both for Greek music, and accompanying traditional folk music.

The bouzouki was picked up by irish musicians travelling abroad and adapted for their use by retuning to GDAE. Modern makers then started producing them with flat backs which made them almost identical to the octave mandola. The crucial difference is the scale length, which is longer. This can affect fingering, but also affects sound because the strings are thinner. Generally the mandolas are better at tunes, bouzoukis for accompanying, but this is not a strict rule.

There is a fashion in bouzouki playing now to use slightly different tunings rather like guitar players do (see "The Irish Bouzouki"). In recent years it has been adapted for use in traditional Irish music, with a flat back construction replacing the original round back design. The 'Irish' Bouzouki has a brighter more open sound, and is easier to hold. The scale length is now generally a little shorter than Greek bouzoukis, and the distinction between Bouzouki and Octave Mandola (also known in America as Octave Mandolin) has become blurred, as the neck length is the only difference. We describe instruments with a scale longer than around 580mm as Bouzoukis. Tuning is either GDAE, or GDAD.

Note: Roundback Greek bouzoukis have a longer scale length, and are usually tuned to CFAD. They can't be tuned to the Irish tuning, so if you want to play Irish style you need a flat back, Irish bouzouki!

We can do custom sizing of the neck for wider hands. Since each Bouzouki is made individually, we can change some of the specifications of the Bouzouki at your request. Please let us know. The Bouzouki can even be made to suit left handed players.

Now there is every reason to ORDER YOUR Bouzouki NOW!

You'll be be glad you did.