“Lovely sounding instrument at a very reasonable price ”
Antonio Carvalho Bouzouki PTB305
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- SKU:
- STR971100
- UPC:
- Weight:
- 5,000.00 Grams
- Shipping:
- Calculated at Checkout
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McNeela Music Instruments, founded by Paraic McNeela and Irish family owned and operated to this day, is a brand with a deep understanding of the needs and aspirations of fellow musicians. Paraic established McNeela Music Instruments over 40 years ago with a dedication to providing exceptional instruments. McNeela Music continues to thrive as a brand driven by the love and appreciation for music.
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We understand that music knows no boundaries. That's why we offer Priority Shipping to the US, UK, Europe and Rest of World at a reduced rate, to bring our exceptional musical instruments and accessories to musicians around the globe. No matter where you are, you can enjoy the convenience of shopping with us and having your chosen items carefully delivered to your doorstep.
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At McNeela Music, our commitment to our customers goes far beyond the initial purchase. We believe in providing world-class after-sales service to ensure that your experience with our musical instruments is nothing short of exceptional. From the moment you choose McNeela Music, you become part of our musical community, and we are dedicated to supporting you at every step of the way. Got a Question? Ask it here and we’ll respond very quickly!
Key Features
- This item is in stock and available for next day dispatch
- 22 fret Irish bouzouki
- Solid spruce top
- Sapele sides
- Ebony fingerboard
- Floating bridge
- Steel strings
- Bright tone
- Handmade in Portugal
“Lovely sounding instrument at a very reasonable price ”
We're dedicated to exceptional service and quality. With over 5,000 delighted 5-star reviews, you can trust in our commitment to your musical journey. Your complete satisfaction is our standard.
Product Description
Description
Antonio Carvalho Bouzouki PTB305
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
Product Specifications
- Solid spruce top
- Sapele sides
- Ebony fingerboard
- Top nut width: 40mm
- Total length: 975mm
- Scale length: 650mm
- Weight: approx. 3kg
- Made in Portugal
Please note that photographs are to be used as an illustration guide. Aesthetic specifics can change due to different batches of production by Antonio Carvalho's workshop. However product specifications remain the same.
Antonio Carvhalo Instruments
Founded by Antonio Pinto Carvalho in 1976, APC Instruments is a Portuguese company with over 40 years experience in the manufacture of high-quality string instruments. Carvalho, a descendant of the famous 19th century school of guitar players in Porto city, has been a luthier since 1961, having learned the art from his grandfather. Today, APC Instruments is one of the largest producers of high-quality instruments in Portugal.
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)
Reviews
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David D
Antonio Carvalho Bouzouki PTB305
I really enjoy the bouzouki. It is great for the price. The only issue is the bridge does not have a hard bone nut so the strings dig into wooden bridge lowering the action of the strings causing a buzz when fingering the first and second frets. I have a replacement bridge coming from Greece which should fix the problem. Other than great fun!
1 person found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful?
2 years ago
Doug W
Antonio Carvalho Bouzouki PTB305
I’m quite happy with the bouzouki; it needed a tune up after arriving to Canada, but plays well (I love the “ring” sound that it makes). Really enjoying playing it.
1 person found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful?
2 years ago
David D
Antonio Carvalho Bouzouki PTB305
This is an excellent beginner bouzouki. It is well made and sounds great. I bought it because I did not know if I would like playing the bouzouki and did not want to invest a lot of money.
I enjoy playing this instrument so much that I cannot allow myself to pick it up after sunset because I'll play until midnight.
The only thing missing is a strap.
2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful?
2 years ago
Thomas
Antonio Carvalho Bouzouki PTB305
3.5/5 Stars
A Good Instrument with Some Quality Control Issues
Roughly a year ago acquired the Antonio Carvalho Bouzouki PTB305, and while it has its strengths, I've experienced some disappointments. As a reasonably priced instrument, I didn't have high expectations, but I did hope for a certain level of quality.
The bouzouki's tone is its redeeming feature - it produces a clear, resonant sound ideal for Irish music. The woods used have an amazing tone, and with the right strings, it truly comes alive. The playability is also excellent, making it easy to work with.
However, I've encountered some issues. The nut broke after a restring, which I believe is a quality control problem. The string gauges weren't too large, but the corner of the nut still snapped off. Additionally, the frets have worn down dramatically, creating dips and divots that occasionally cause buzzing.
McNeela, the retailer, was fantastic in addressing the issue (I received this instrument by mistake, and they quickly refunded the difference).
If I could go back, I would save a little more and invest in the next price point up. That being said, the instrument still sounds beautiful and warm.
*Pros:*
- Beautiful, resonant tone
- Easy to play and work with
- Excellent woods used
- Good playability
*Cons:*
- Quality control issues (nut breaking, fret wear)
- Average build quality
- May require more maintenance than expected
1 person found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful?
2 years ago
Verified Customer
Ian C
United Kingdom
Antonio Carvalho Bouzouki PTB305
Lovely sounding instrument at a very reasonable price. Communication was good and delivery was smooth and quick - especially considering it was over the Christmas period, which was especially chaotic for couriers given the Royal Mail strike action over here in the UK. I would definitely buy from McNeela's again - thank you!
Reply:
Thank you so much Ian for your 5 star rating of the Antonio Carvalho Bouzouki PTB305. We really appreciate it! We are also grateful that you would choose to shop with us again.
3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful?
4 years ago
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Reviews
Based on 7 reviews
Write Review
Sort
Clear Filters
Order By
Newest First
Oldest First
Most Popular
Highest Rating
Reviews With
Any Media
Images
Videos
Breakdown
5
1
1
0
0
Product Reviews
David D
Antonio Carvalho Bouzouki PTB305
I really enjoy the bouzouki. It is great for the price. The only issue is the bridge does not have a hard bone nut so the strings dig into wooden bridge lowering the action of the strings causing a buzz when fingering the first and second frets. I have a replacement bridge coming from Greece which should fix the problem. Other than great fun!
1 person found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful?
2 years ago
Doug W
Antonio Carvalho Bouzouki PTB305
I’m quite happy with the bouzouki; it needed a tune up after arriving to Canada, but plays well (I love the “ring” sound that it makes). Really enjoying playing it.
1 person found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful?
2 years ago
David D
Antonio Carvalho Bouzouki PTB305
This is an excellent beginner bouzouki. It is well made and sounds great. I bought it because I did not know if I would like playing the bouzouki and did not want to invest a lot of money.
I enjoy playing this instrument so much that I cannot allow myself to pick it up after sunset because I'll play until midnight.
The only thing missing is a strap.
2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful?
2 years ago
Thomas
Antonio Carvalho Bouzouki PTB305
3.5/5 Stars
A Good Instrument with Some Quality Control Issues
Roughly a year ago acquired the Antonio Carvalho Bouzouki PTB305, and while it has its strengths, I've experienced some disappointments. As a reasonably priced instrument, I didn't have high expectations, but I did hope for a certain level of quality.
The bouzouki's tone is its redeeming feature - it produces a clear, resonant sound ideal for Irish music. The woods used have an amazing tone, and with the right strings, it truly comes alive. The playability is also excellent, making it easy to work with.
However, I've encountered some issues. The nut broke after a restring, which I believe is a quality control problem. The string gauges weren't too large, but the corner of the nut still snapped off. Additionally, the frets have worn down dramatically, creating dips and divots that occasionally cause buzzing.
McNeela, the retailer, was fantastic in addressing the issue (I received this instrument by mistake, and they quickly refunded the difference).
If I could go back, I would save a little more and invest in the next price point up. That being said, the instrument still sounds beautiful and warm.
*Pros:*
- Beautiful, resonant tone
- Easy to play and work with
- Excellent woods used
- Good playability
*Cons:*
- Quality control issues (nut breaking, fret wear)
- Average build quality
- May require more maintenance than expected
1 person found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful?
2 years ago
Verified Customer
Ian C
United Kingdom
Antonio Carvalho Bouzouki PTB305
Lovely sounding instrument at a very reasonable price. Communication was good and delivery was smooth and quick - especially considering it was over the Christmas period, which was especially chaotic for couriers given the Royal Mail strike action over here in the UK. I would definitely buy from McNeela's again - thank you!
Reply:
Thank you so much Ian for your 5 star rating of the Antonio Carvalho Bouzouki PTB305. We really appreciate it! We are also grateful that you would choose to shop with us again.
3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful?
4 years ago
Product Delivery
Ireland
Average Shipping Time Once Dispatched
Est. 2-3 days delivery
United Kingdom
Average Shipping Time Once Dispatched
Est. 5-7 days delivery
Europe
Average Shipping Time Once Dispatched
Est. 7 days delivery
USA
Average Shipping Time Once Dispatched
Est. 7-10 days delivery
Rest of world
Average Shipping Time Once Dispatched
Est. 10-14 days delivery
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Yes, McNeela Music caters to musicians of all skill levels, including beginners. They offer instruments and resources specifically designed to support newcomers on their musical journey.
How can I contact McNeela Music for further assistance?
For any further assistance, you can reach out to McNeela Music's customer support team through their website's contact page or by emailing us at service@mcneelamusic.com
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