2010s Nylon-Strung Irish Bouzouki/Octave Mandolin Conversion

Overview: This is an inexpensive, double-cutaway, steel-string acoustic guitar that I've modified into an 8-string, nylon-strung, Celtic bouzouki/octave mandolin creature. Apparently, these guitars are items that sell as kits on eBay, Alibaba, and the like. Those are the only places I could find an identical example. That makes sense, too, because the fit, finish, and setup on this one was quirky when it arrived. Now that it's modified into a new instrument, it's very-much become its own thing and has a sound that echoes that of an oud, lute, Irish bouzouki, and Greek lautos.

Interesting features: I have it strung GDGD in a modal tuning at the moment but the strings will tune-up to GDAE. Because nylon strings intonate on a straight line (for the most part), one can mix and match strings to change the tuning into anything that might be desired. I've made similar modded instruments and have enjoyed CGDA (nylon mandocello) tuning, ADGC (fourths, like a bass but starting on the A string), and various open tunings with and without octaved courses. Oh, and -- right! Because the body is ply, it's quite weather-stable and tough and the double-cutaways give it some of that "different" look you'd want for a "different" instrument. I initially whipped this up to use while doing music for a play and people kept coming-up to ask about it for a reason.

Repairs included: I leveled/dressed the frets, filled the old saddle slot and pinholes, and then recut it and made a new saddle. The strings are now "string-through" where you push the string through a pinhole into the top, pull it out the soundhole to knot/ball up the end, and then pull tight to the tuners. The headstock got new tuners all-around and a couple extras poking-up at the top of the headstock like antennae. It plays quick and easy and is ready to roll -- the narrower 1 5/8" nut width feels great with the nylon-string spacing, too.

• Weight: 3 lbs 8 oz
• Scale length: 25 5/8"
• Nut width: 1 5/8"
• Neck shape: slim C
• Board radius: 14"
• Body width: 15 1/4"
• Body depth: 4 1/8"
• Top wood: ply maple or similar
• Back & sides wood: ply maple or similar
• Bracing type: x
• Bridge: rosewood family
• Fretboard: rosewood family
• Neck wood: mahogany family
• Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 2x classical E, D, G, E strings for GDGD or or GDAD or GDAE tuning
• Truss rod: adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: medium

Condition notes: It was, more or less, a "newish" guitar when it arrived here for modding. It does show some glue residue along the neck joint edges and it has some mild scuffs and scratches here and there, though, through the body. The saddle is low over the bridge but the instrument has remained stable since putting it together and the strings are rather low for a classical-style instrument anyhow -- it plays quick!

It comes with: Sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: COMT