Zozef Terzivasian’s baglama

A 1978 tiny treasure !

Baglamas is perhaps the most representative instrument of the old rebetiko era!

Its name is inextricably linked, with the prison, the teke, and the poor neighborhoods of Piraeus, Thessaloniki, and Athens, where ethnic Greek immigrants settled, after the the Greco-Turkish War of 1919–1922, and the Asia Minor Disaster.

Its small size made it particularly popular with musicians who needed an instrument transportable enough to carry around easily, or small enough to shelter under a coat.

Here is the story of this baglama:

An American Armenian bouzouki enthusiast from New Jersey, decided to visit  Greece during the summer of 1978. 

Wondering around the narrow streets of Piraeus, he discovered the workshop of another Armenian compatriot, Zozef Terzivasian.

After a long conversation with the luthier that day, he purchased a Zozef bouzouki and a Zozef baglama.

Since his vacation journey to the Greek islands was starting next day, he left the newly purchased musical instruments at the house of a family friend.

Returning to United States and for the following few years, he rarely played the Zozef bouzouki , but never the baglama 

When he recently decided to sell his musical instruments, I asked him to purchase his Zozef baglama.

Zozef Terzivasian baglamades are rarely up for sale, due to the event that the luthier sold a substantially small number of them comparing to the number of bouzoukia sold

This baglama is in excellent condition for an instrument of more than 40 years old. The baglamas made a quick stop at the talented luthier Chris Pantazelos’ workshop (https://www.spartaninstruments.com/index.html ), for a small refreshment and set up! Soon I will record a sound sample when I have it on my hands!