I finished and strung up Manus’s new custom bouzouki a couple of weeks ago now. Well, I’m very happy with how it’s sounding, clear and punchy with a lovely clarity in the top end and a fullness and warmth in the mids and bass. This bouzouki was made using Torrefied Sitka Spruce for the top and it certainly sounds different from an instrument built with new Sitka or European Spruce.

It also looks really good too. The Sitka has gone a really rich colour, a bit like Cedar. The instrument has two pickups, a Takamine Triax magnetic fitted in the soundhole and a Headway HE4 bridge saddle piezo. Both are passive and are wired to a stereo socket. Manus will be using a K&K two channel EQ preamp.

Anyway, the pickups and scratch plate have been fitted, its had a final setup and everything’s been tested, so it’s all packed up and ready to go.