Update: 1920s Vracas (7-String) Bouzouki

There was so much interest in this instrument after I decided to sell it, but the first fella to call me was granted right of first refusal and now it's on its way to him as I write this.

I had originally set this up in the modern 6-string format as I could tell it had been strung for 3 courses rather than 4 when it was made... even though it had 8-string tuners. The buyer schooled me on antique bouzoukis, however, and after a closer look at the (destroyed) original nut we determined it had been strung in an old format -- low to high 3-2-2 and strung Ddd-aa-dd with the wound string before the octaves on that lowest course. Interesting!

So, I reconverted it for him via a new nut and bridge and re-replacement of the original tuners. I think it's definitely got a little bit of something different going on from a normal trichordo bouzouki, so to me it was definitely worth getting a new video of it done and sharing some new photos.




Comments

McComber saidā€¦
Thanks for taking the time to record this video, Jake. It's both educational and lovely to hear this set-up, speaking as old Celt.
Oscar Stern saidā€¦
The Triple Low D course actually sounds rather punchy