Μπουζούκι Σταθόπουλου 1910

Το Μάϊο του 2006 η παρακάτω αγγελία δημοσιεύθηκε στο γνωστο site, e-bay, λέγοντας για ένα μαντολίνο ή μαντόλα ενω ήταν ένα απο τα σπάνια σήμερα πια μπουζούκια κατασκευής Αναστάσιου Σταθόπουλου ο οποίος είχε εργαστήριο στη Νέα Υόρκη !! Ο πωλητής προφανώς μη ΄Ελληνας δεν ήξερε ότι ήταν μπουζούκι ...

This is a very long mandolin... 3" long. I really have no idea as to the history of this instrument except that the paper sticker inside says it was made in 1910 by Anastasios Stathopoulo. His son was Epi Stathopoulo who later had his name put to his guitars as Epiphone. This mandolin or mandola has a super long neck and the two strings that are on it make the instrument sing very loudly. Everything seems to be here to make it a really nice working machine. The top of the instrument has a heavy tapestry string from which the instrument can be hung. This instrument has been very heavily used appears to be split as shown. The wood around the guard has been work from using a pick. A very nice tortoise shell or imitation tortoise shell guard. The center hole has a beautiful carved inset which adds a lot of beauty to it. Sure hope someone can use this !!! There is some material or something down the very back spine that really doesn't make any sense as to why it's there. Perhaps to guard the wood from damage? Not sure. A very nice and very solid 94 year old instrument !!
Τελικά το μπουζούκι αυτο, κειμήλιο και σπάνιο συλλεκτικό κομματι αγοράστηκε απο κάποιον στην Αθήνα έναντι κάποιας προσιτής τιμης απ'οτι θυμάμαι (γύρω στα 1.200 ευρω ...). Οπως φαίνεται η μπουργάνα είναι τριπλη !!