Stefan Sobell Bouzar

Subject: Stefan Sobell Bouzar
From: MickT
Date: 24 Mar 03 - 10:06 AM

I've found it a bit of a struggle to hammer on and pull off and make the notes sound cleanly on my Fylde Octavius bouzouki tuned in unison. At present I'm playing a song done by James Fagan where he uses this technique. He plays a Stefan Sobell guitar/bouzouki - the so called 'bouzar'. Has anyone got any thoughts on whether the differing scale length on this or any other guitar/bouzouki makes it any easier to hammer on and pull off than on a 'normal' bouzouki?

Subject: RE: Stefan Sobell Bouzar
From: Mooh
Date: 24 Mar 03 - 11:50 AM

My personal feeling about this is that it will have more to do with string tension and instrument set-up than with scale length, just based on having played multiple scale lengths from double bass to mandolin with great action. Fret size might also be a consideration.

At any rate, I've heard Fagan play several times, and watched him up close, and his considerable talent and experience has more than a little to do with his abilities.

Not knowing your abilities, consider how close to the fret you hammer-on, the degree of force you use and how long you hold the subsequent note. Also consider whether your pull-offs are actually pulling the string slightly as if to pick the string with your fretting finger, this will help get a louder note so long as the fretted (or open) note is held.

What James Fagan tune are you playing?

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Stefan Sobell Bouzar
From: fogie
Date: 24 Mar 03 - 12:02 PM

Stefan makes excellent instruments- I've never seen a bouzar, just his citterns and bouzoukis, which are well worth trying out.

Subject: RE: Stefan Sobell Bouzar
From: MickT
Date: 25 Mar 03 - 05:54 AM

The Outside Track...

Part of the problem is the finger callouses from guitar playing catching in the middle of the two strings!

Subject: RE: Stefan Sobell Bouzar
From: Mooh
Date: 25 Mar 03 - 11:01 AM

I'm listening to it now. Very guitaristic it is. Never had the callous problem but I play 12 string and bass alot so maybe that has helped. Anyway, I don't think there's a secret solution. I'd try lowering string tension (tune down a fret and capo up a fret if necessary). Try octave paired strings for a day or two...nothing ventured, nothing gained my mother would say.

I've actually had my hands on Fagan's bouzouki, so I don't think it's anything particular to the instrument, though I don't recall his tuning.

By the way, Fagan and Nancy Kerr are one of the best acts I have ever seen in any style.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Stefan Sobell Bouzar
From: GUEST,Chip
Date: 20 Jan 08 - 01:25 PM

I am seeking the specs on Stefan Sobell's Bouzar . . . I know it is based on his Model 3 guitar body, but his website doesn't include the specs for that Model . . . Stefan hasn't responded to my inquiry and I am wondering whether anyone on the list might be able to provide the information. I had a Bouzar built by Stefan in the mid-90s and it was an absolutely exceptional instrument . . . lost it to Hurricane Katrina and hope to replace it.

Subject: RE: Stefan Sobell Bouzar
From: Sugwash
Date: 20 Jan 08 - 03:15 PM

What specs are you after? I own a Sobell bouzar and would be happy to do some measuring or provide his recommended string guages.

Subject: RE: Stefan Sobell Bouzar
From: Lowden Jameswright
Date: 20 Jan 08 - 03:48 PM

Sobell owners - you lucky folkies.

Subject: RE: Stefan Sobell Bouzar
From: michaelr
Date: 20 Jan 08 - 09:58 PM

Chip, try asking your question on the Yahoo Cittern group. Lots of professional players and builders there.

Chers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Stefan Sobell Bouzar
From: GUEST,Chip
Date: 11 Jun 08 - 02:12 PM

Hi all,

I am still trying to contact Stefan Sobell or determine his fate. Is there a chance any new information has arisen concerning his whereabouts?

Thanks!

Chip

Subject: RE: Stefan Sobell Bouzar
From: michaelr
Date: 11 Jun 08 - 03:24 PM

Ahem!

Chip, try asking your question on the Yahoo Cittern group.

Subject: RE: Stefan Sobell Bouzar
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Jun 08 - 03:34 PM

I don't know about bouzoukis but I have no problem at all hammering on and pulling off on my Fylde cittern, on all strings right up the fretboard.

I tried a Stephan Sobell before I bought the Fylde and it was really nice, as expected, although it did sound very guitarish. Fyldes seem to differ considerably, one instrument from another, and I tried several before one just 'spoke' to me. I bought it instead of the Sobell because it was a third of the price (and mrsleveller was with me!).

Subject: RE: Stefan Sobell Bouzar
From: mandotim
Date: 11 Jun 08 - 04:24 PM

Guest Chip; Try here . Google is your friend.
Tim

Subject: RE: Stefan Sobell Bouzar
From: theleveller
Date: 12 Jun 08 - 07:54 AM

If a Stephan Sobell stretches your pocket (and it will), Paul Hathway makes a bouzouki guitar for around £900. I can recommend his instruments - I've got a mandolin and octave mandola. His website is

www.paulhathway.com

Subject: RE: Stefan Sobell Bouzar
From: GUEST,deeebo 61
Date: 23 Feb 09 - 04:23 PM

i play an 8 string zouk built by a luthier called joe foley from dublin exellent look and sound and unlike most other builders joe hand makes every instrument he sells long waiting list but well worth it mines made from brazilian rosewood back,sides ansd sound irish walnut neck use gdad tuning sobell and fylde are brand names made on production lines in factories not acctually built by the person that puts their name to it thats why i personally chose a foley

Subject: RE: Stefan Sobell Bouzar
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 24 Feb 09 - 03:13 AM

I think Stefan would be amused to hear his workshop called a ' factory '.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Stefan Sobell Bouzar
From: Stu
Date: 24 Feb 09 - 03:32 AM

I've had my Foley for just over a week and love it.

Subject: RE: Stefan Sobell Bouzar
From: GUEST,Bob Walton
Date: 22 Oct 13 - 10:32 AM

If you can't get a spec from Stefan try Richard Osborne Luthier in Lewes East Sussex. http://www.osborneguitars.co.uk/. Picked mine up this morning and its stunning

Subject: RE: Stefan Sobell Bouzar
From: PHJim
Date: 22 Oct 13 - 04:54 PM

I find it odd that there are so many different names for what is essentially the same instrument. The little Martin tenor guitar that Nick Reynolds played and the huge Manzer Pikasso guitar that Pat Methany plays and the strat that Eric Clapton plays are all called guitars, yet an octave mandolin that is two inches shorter than a bouzouki gets a different name. Add a course and it becomes a cittern. Change the body shape and it becomes a bouzar. My OM has more in common with my friend's (Irish)bouzouki than his bouzouki has in common with another friend's 3 course (Greek) bouzouki.
Gerald Trimble used to use the words interchangeably. Grit Lasken called his "long necked mandolins" regardless of the neck length or number of strings. Donal Lunney (sp?) had a large bodied bouzouki that he called a "Blarge". I've heard other players call them "mando-things". I've been told,"I want you to play your monster mandolin on this." I once put octave strings on my G and 3rd D courses and someone accused me of turning my OM into a bouzouki. I tune my OM GDAD, and have been told that was bouzouki tuning. I've even heard them called mandolas or octave mandolas, even though a mandola already exists that is the mando equivalent of the viola, tuned CGDA. An octave mandola should logically be an octave lower than a mandola.
Let's find a name for all these instruments. I vote for Grit's "Long necked mandolin".

Subject: RE: Stefan Sobell Bouzar
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Oct 13 - 01:35 AM

Use a capo down the neck? Octave stringing where one srrinf is thinner than the other will reduce string gauge. Tune down a semitone or more. Special low tension string s are available now such as Heritage from Newtone.