Tracing the handwriting of Zozef Terzivasian

Pencil markings lie beneath the soundboard! 

An authentic Zozef Terzivasian trichord bouzouki, crafted by the master luthier in the early 1960s, (featuring a 70 cm scale, a beautifully unique floral decoration, and geometrical binding) , became the subject of intense research when renowned luthier Christos Tsolis undertook the difficult and time-consuming task of restoring it—prompted by intriguing pencil markings discovered beneath the soundboard.

It took over 70 days for the bouzouki to clear the Greek customs, in an attempt to restore it to its original condition in its country of origin.

Eager to investigate the necessary restoration and repair steps, renowned  luthier Chris Tsolis discovered pencil markings beneath the soundboard.

At the beginning, I couldn’t make sense of the writings. 

Then I started to mark, using digital software, all the traces that didn’t belong to the soundboard grain. There were three small wooden pieces missing from part of the pencil markings. The luthier sent me a separate photo of these three small pieces, which I digitally added to the main soundboard.

After a lot of research, I was able to identify the letters written by the hand of the master luthier Zozef Terzivasian.

 The pencil marking clearly reads: "construction January 196_." The last digit of the year is unclear, but it most likely appears to be a "3," suggesting the year is 1963.

Further to the right, there is a smaller number, "35." It’s possible that the first digit is missing, and this number could represent the serial or production number—perhaps indicating the _35th (?)  bouzouki constructed.