From Ioanni to Gianni

And the creation of a small masterpiece!

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Unique rosette. Created by SDimis(c)2012

One of the greatest Greek luthiers, from the second half of the 19th century, with awards at international exhibitions, large-scale production, and a famous name, was Ioannis G. Stathopoulos (mentor of the famous luthiers Anastasios Stathopoulos, and Em. Fragkiadakis).

His workshop was in Kolokotroni 56 street, Athens Greece , very close to the workshop of the other famous luthier, Dimitri Mourtzino.

The researcher and luthier Giannis Tsoulogiannis, believes that Ioannis and Anastasios Stathopoulos had a common ancestry, and they were relatives (first cousins​​).

Have seen both luthiers' instruments (some of them, never seen the public eye), I must admit that, I. Stathopoulos craftsmanship surpasses the talent and the skills of his famous cousin, Anastasios Stathopoulos.

In an effort to create a museum quality pre-war trichordo bouzouki, following the exact specification, and measurements of Anastasios Stathopoulos bouzoukia, but with the outstanding craftsmanship, finish, and decoration of Ioannis Stathopoulos instruments, Giannis Tsoulogiannis will be called to construct a small "masterpiece".
Nothing on this instrument will be compromised, from the materials, to the decoration,to the details , the finish, to hopefully the quality of its sound!

This instrument is not the hybrid laoutobouzouko which I planned to create with so much anticipation.

Even though, the making of the 1880s laoutobouzouko would have been a historical event which would have accumulated a lot of discussion and speculation, at the end, its unique form, tuning, construction, and scale, would make it almost impossible to play with.

During these years in research, I somehow lost my path and my main goal which always was, the enjoyment to play with the instruments I create.
Returning back to my original goal, I decided to order instead this prewar trichordo which will borrow some of the decorative elements found in the early hybrid laoutobouzouka.

The luthier, Giannis Tsoulogiannis, will research, select the finest materials , construct, and tuned the instrument with the same mentality and high standards that Stathopoulos family, a century ago, used to create instruments.
This attempt will not be a cheap replica of a A.Stathopoulos/I.Stathopoulos bouzouki.
Its measurements, scale, and tuning, will follow A.Stathopoulos specifications, while the materials, decoration , and finish will be mostly inspired by Ioannis Stahthopoulos' masterpieces!

Stay tuned, as the journey to utilize the techniques of the most famous family in Greek traditional lutherie, will be full of obstacles, challenges, and surprises!