Panagiotis Tsimis NY -bouzouki treasure

The mystery, master-luthier finally reveals himself!

On April 16, 2015 , after a long and intense research, I wrote an article regarding a very unique, shorter scale  bouzouki,  which appeared  in an early advertisement by the master luthier's Theodoros Karabas and his " NEOLAIA " workshop.

Also, from Theodoros Karampas another advertisement in Atlantis newspaper dating 13/01/1913 I had collected  the information that the luthier was selling in his workshop " NEOLAIA" laouta, bouzoukia, mandolins, guitars and other musical instruments made by the famous luthiers of Peloponnesos- Greece , as Takis Tsimis, George Tsanala, N. Parapoda and Emanuel Limperaki. 

In the  same newspaper (Atlantis circa 1920s),  the master luthier from Patra Greece, Panagiotis Tsimis, ( who was mentioned by Theodoros Kartabas  in "NEOLAIA" ad -*1 ), found advertising his own workshop, located at 142 W and 38th St New York.

Panagiotis Tsimis and Co established on 1908 ( 6 years after Theodoros Karampas workshop establishment ) accordingly to an advertisement of the luthier in 1926, (in another location 574-8th Ave NY.)

Finalizing my research- and for more than 4 years-, locating a bouzouki instrument, made by the famous luthier Panagiotis Tsimis,  has always been my desire.

Finally, 4.5 years later, a beautiful three course bouzouki - in excellent condition, constructed on March 31st 1924 with serial number 7565, came to my hands.

It is a shorter scale bouzouki (63.5 cm), made by Rosewood staves, separated by maple wooden fillets.

The bow is carrying back and side -capping strips, in contradiction to Theodoros Karabas bouzoukia which are constructed without capping strips.  

It also has a narrow shape bowl, similar to the tear drop shape bowls from bouzoukia made by Anastasios Stathopoulos NY

The quality of the craftsmanship can be identified at the connection of the neck to the head-stock where the reinforced laminated wood continues all the way.

The neck has depth (more of a cone profile than a round profile ) similar to Theodoros Karabas bouzoukia The pick-guard and the fret-markers are decorated with a real white sea-shell

Unfortunately the original ebony bridge and the original nut have been replaced, but if the luthier who made the small restoration copied exactly the original bridge, then we are talking about a multi-course strings set up.   

It is unknown if the custom wooden box /case with rich emerald color velvet lining, is original or was created in later years by the first owner of the bouzouki. 

For almost 100 years later, the instrument needs mostly cosmetic restoration, and frets replacement.

 The master luthier and friend Chris G. Pantazelos who works at the Spartan Instruments shop (http://spartaninstruments.com/) , and has proven experience, knowledge, and respect on restoration of historical instruments at this caliber, will bring back to "perfect" condition this little treasure. 

Stay tuned !     

________________________________________________________________________________

*1- Karampas mentioned  Panagiotis Tsimis as the famous luthier from Peloponnesos- Greece "Takis Tsimis"

For the native Greeks is well known that the first name of "Panagiotis" usually is shorten to the nick name "Takis"