Vintage Bouzouki Mandocello - Greek Style - No Reserve! Start Price USD 75.00 Current Price USD 280.00 Time Left - Bid Count 7 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Thursday, October 09, 2008 End Time Thursday, October 16, 2008 Location Sayville, New York See more about 'Vintage Bouzouki Mandocello - Greek Style - No Reserve!' Description I have played guitar for over 30 years, and during that time friends and family have given me all kinds of stringed instruments that I really don't know how to play. This is one of those instruments. Many years ago, maybe 15 to 20 years or so, an "eccentric" friend of mine who frequently traveled the world, brought me this instrument. I have no idea where it was purchased. Since that friend is deceased several years now, I may never know. What is interesting is that someone told me that it is a Greek style bouzouki and I do know that my friend visited Greece many times in his travels. There is no label so I really can't say with any certainty where this instrument was made. Maybe someone out there can tell from the pics? Let me know if you do. Anyway, when I received this instrument, it was in CFAD tuning and that is how it has remained. Over the years I have neglected to change the strings and they are in desperate need of replacement. One string is broken as you can see in the pics. The tuners are 4-on-a-plate on either side for this 8 string instrument ( four pairs of strings, similar to a mandolin ). The nut is not plastic although I am not sure what it is made out of. The nut is in fine shape. The frets are worn but I get no buzzing up and down the neck. The neck itself definitely has a slight bow to it but it dosn't seem to be affecting the playability. Action is much higher at the 12th fret than at the first fret but it has always been that way since I received it. I would "guesstimate" the action at the first fret to be 1/16th and at the 12th fret 5/16th.  There are 7 single dot markers on the fret board.  The fretboard appears dry and could certainly use some conditioning. The front of this instrument is quite ornate and the wood grain is truly beautiful as you can see in the photos. There is one small hairline crack, approximately 1 1/2" long, in the bowl back that I tried to show in one of the pictures. There are also other nicks, scratches, and marks that would be expected of an older instrument that has not been locked away in a case somewhere, however, nothing that I would consider major. The instrument stands 38" tall overall. The measurement from the nut to the bridge is 26".  The widest part of the top is 11 1/2".  There is no case but it will  be properly protected and packaged for shipping. PLEASE look at the pics carefully and decide for yourself the condition of this instrument. I have described it to the best of my ability. Obviously I am not an expert on this type of instrument.  Good luck bidding! SORRY, but I will not ship outside of the continental United States.   Place a Bid!