Bouzouki Information
The Bouzouki is a long-necked Lute developed in Greece from its Turkish roots.

The bouzouki was picked up by irish musicians travelling abroad and adapted for their use by retuning to GDAE. Modern makers then started producing them with flat backs which made them almost identical to the octave mandola. The crucial difference is the scale length, which is longer. This can affect fingering, but also affects sound because the strings are thinner. Generally the mandolas are better at tunes, bouzoukis for accompanying, but this is not a strict rule.

In recent years it has been adapted for use in traditional Irish music, with a flat back construction replacing the original round back design. The 'Irish' Bouzouki has a brighter more open sound, and is easier to hold. The scale length is now generally a little shorter than Greek bouzoukis, and the distinction between Bouzouki and Octave Mandola (also known in America as Octave Mandolin) has become blurred, as the neck length is the only difference. Tuning is either GDAE, or GDAD.

Note: Roundback Greek bouzoukis have a longer scale length, and are usually tuned to CFAD. They can't be tuned to the Irish tuning, so if you want to play Irish style you need a flat back, Irish bouzouki!