This is a 22 fret, Irish style bouzouki by Antonio Carvalho, handmade in Portugal. With pear shaped flat back body, solid spruce top, sapele sides and ebony fingerboard, this bouzouki produces a clear, resonant sound - ideal for playing Irish music.

Features of the Antonio Carvalho Bouzouki PTB305

• 22 fret
• Irish style bouzouki
• Floating bridge
• Steel strings
• Bright tone 

What are the Advantages of a Floating Bridge?

Floating bridges are more versatile than fixed bridges and can be easily adjusted. This allows for ease of adjustments to intonation and string height. The floating bridge is one of the main features that helps to create the bouzouki's characteristic biting sound, creating a bright top-end sound with plenty of attack.

What's the Difference Between an Irish Bouzouki and a Greek Bouzouki?

The bouzouki first became popular in Irish music in the 1970s. The so called Irish bouzouki is an adaptation of the much older original Greek string instrument. The three main differences between the Irish bouzouki and Greek bouzouki lie in the shape of the body, the length of the fingerboard and the tuning of the strings. 

Greek bouzoukis feature the typical rounded back, and can be either three course (6 string) or four course (8 string) instruments. Greek bouzoukis are typically slightly larger instruments with a longer scale length of approximately 27 frets. The Irish bouzouki features a shallow, flat back which some find easier to hold. Irish bouzoukis typically feature a shorter scale length of approximately 24 frets. 

The string sets or string pairs on a Greek bouzouki are typically tuned to a octave intervals. Standard tuning for a Greek bouzouki is CFAD. Irish bouzouki pairs are tuned in unison to GDAE or GDAD. This tuning lends itself well to accompanying traditional Irish music.

Need advice on purchasing an Irish bouzouki? 

Whether you're looking to buy a bouzouki online or looking for a vintage bouzouki for sale, you've come to the right place.

Our in house team of expert advisors is here to help. Get in touch by emailing info@mcneelamusic.com.

We're happy to answer all your questions and we cater to all experience levels - beginner, intermediate or advanced. There's no question too big or small!

Good to Know:

• 14 day money back guarantee from the day you receive your bouzouki. See our Shipping & Returns Policy.
• 1 year warranty - all our new banjos offer a one year guarantee for parts and service.
• Free backup service for one year.
• If purchased before 12pm (Monday-Friday), we ship it the same business day.
• Priority Shipping Worldwide.

ESTIMATED SHIPPING TIMES
All orders placed before 12pm are shipped the same day.
IRELAND (Next Day)
UK (5 - 7 days)
EUROPE (7 days)
USA and CANADA (7 - 10) days)
REST OF WORLD (10 - 14 days)