This thread thoroughly deserves an honourable mention of Altan's Ciarán Curran, a superb bouzouki player. He also plays an instrument that's a cross between a bouzouki and a guitar (called a "bouzar" in some circles). The story goes that Andy Irvine invented it (I've seen him playing one) and that Stefan Sobell put it together. Go easy on me as I'm a mere harmonica player...