Artistic Lutherie:Unique bouzouki patents

Seen the designs from another perspective!

The Artistic Lutherie (Καλλιτεχνικη οργανοποιια), is a phrase/title which has been introduced and used by many bouzouki luthiers especially the last 3-4 years. From famous, pioneer luthiers with a great artistic interpretation, to freshmen, amateur luthiers who are undergoing  their first steps in the Art of musical instruments making.

 I am not trying to unsurp the tittle of  an "Art Specialist" in bouzouki design.These are not my intentions by writing this post. Rather to help new amateur luthiers to see the forms and elements of  their creations from a different perspective.

By showcasing some of my personal unique designs/patents, I hope I can help  luthiers and bouzouki enthusiasts to understand some of the unwritten aesthetic laws.
We often encounter the results of these unwritten laws  in bouzouki instruments, but perhaps we are not able to discern the laws which govern them.... at least until today I hope ;)

During the three + years in designing instruments of the bouzouki family, I created some  patent designs.

As most of them characterize my instrument creations , these designs are the property of "Memories of the Innocent Age" (c) SDimis and are subjects to copyright protection according to the United States Code.(Please refer to the privacy policy page for more information)
Here are some examples:

1. The guitarotzouras or fin head bouzouki

Created in two versions, one with a flat back and one with a combination of flat back and bowl back. Please refer to an older post explaining the reasons, which inspired me for this unique instrument design.
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2. The uneven width of binding 

Created in two versions , a simple one and one where inlays placed at the maximum width of binding.Suitable for tear shape bowl instruments.Please also refer to an older post explaining the reasons, which inspired me for this unique instrument design.

3. The positive/negative fret-board inlays

Also in two versions. One, where the inlay starts at the first fret and ends at the 12 fret(inlay strip). The fret markers follow a positive -negative patent ( see also #6 ).The second version where the inlay placed on the unmarked fret spaces.(the spaces of the fret board lacking fret markers).Many more examples of fretboard/ fret markers placement included in  "The Art Book"

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4. The isosceles triangle bowl

Inspired by the geometrical shape of the isosceles triangle, this bowl is being created for baglamas , tzouras and meso-bouzouka instruments.

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5. The pick-guard shape used as sound board decoration

The pick-guard and wooden plywood on sound board plays the role of the bouzouki's decoration. They are more examples of this idea inside "The Art Book"

6.The Negative / positive of the fret markers

Used during the creation of the Politiko bouzouki, the markers up to 12 fret are the negative image of the markers after the 12 fret. Can be used also in serial order: One negative-one positive