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 o...
