Welcome to Dio Dino's Greek bouzouki maker, bagalama and other Greek instruments and music store

Products

BOUZOUKIA

Thank you for your interest in my bouzoukia. 80% of the customers that have commissioned Dio Dinos to make them an instrument haven’t seen their instrument until it was finished and delivered. Some of these testimonials can be read on this website. The pictures below are the only pictures available at this time, which have been taken as the instruments were being built. As I build new models I add them to the gallery. I do not believe that a bouzouki should cost anymore then $2,000.00 to 3,500.00 but when a customer wants elaborate inlay work with abalone shell, mother of pearl, or other foreign materials (other then commonly used wood) the price can sky rocket to $4,500.00 - 6000.00, which in my mind is foolish. I try to guide customers towards saving their money and getting a better sounding instrument while still maintaining the beauty of custom inlay work. I personally believe that making bouzoukia with wood inlays retains the clean vibrant sound that is inherent in wooden instruments. The sound board, in this manner, has just a small amount of foreign material around the edges (purfling), if so desired, with celluloid or abalone shell, without affecting the sound quality. Please call me, and I would be very happy to answer any questions you may have. Mean while you may want to look at the models below.

ABOUT STAVES ON THE BODY:

There is a grave misconception that has been wide-spread by many bouzoukia vendors about staves (strips of wood that make up the bowl) also known as "ntouges" in Greek. It has been stated that the more staves, the better the sound quality. This is a completely FALSE statement. The body of the bouzoukia are customarily built by all skafigides (bouzouki body makers in Greece where most luthiers purchase product) start off with 15 and 19 staves. By special request, custom bodies have been made to appear to have 30 + staves. The additional separations created between staves are completely cosmetic. The staves are thinly grooved to accept thin laminates which give the appearance of additional staves. The only difference among these is the price. The sound quality is not affected in any way by the amount of staves on the body. Sound quality is differentiated by the species of wood used in creating these bodies ( eg. walnut vs. rosewood). The type of wood selected for the body will also affect the weight of the instrument.