It's been a while since I've written (exactly a month now). It's been a busy December finishing off classes for the term and making sure my students are in good shape for the new year. Christmas has hit pretty hard, both the weather and the spending. But I've had an excellent time thus far, as has my fiancee.
For a while I've been eyeing bouzoukis and octave mandolins, and K has been eyeing a mid range Alegria fiddle. We both said the spending just couldn't handle these things so we went on our merry way. I later decided to buy her the fiddle as a surprise Christmas gift. I knew she'd love it. As it turns out, however, she also got me a bouzouki!
On Christmas morning I was shocked to find this hidden in the corner behind the tree: an Ozark 2222 model bouzouki. It's a flat back bouzouki with: natural solid spruce top with inlaid escutcheon, mid brown finished solid maple back and sides, slotted head, and a scale length of 660mm. I like the pattern on the body as well. Quite nice.
The sound coming out of this instrument is better than I would have guessed. A clear rich tone while providing good natural bass. As of yet I've been learning songs to play on bouzouki that I've learned for tin whistle or guitar. It's a new way of picking and strumming that I need to get used to. I will no doubt add more pictures and a couple videoes as time goes by.
