Thomann Irish Bouzouki M1089-P BK

The instrument has a elegant look.
As mentioned in another review the original chords are almost not playable and yes, the low strings are octaved and not unison like Irish Bouzoukis should be.
Thank to the mentioned review I ordered also a set of D'addario strings (EJ81) and I restrung the instrument almost immediatly.
Well the sound is really better and enjoyable. Begun playing Monaghan Jig and sounds quite nice.

The piezo in it is good and can be used while performing (take extra care equalizing it and the result will be good).

Now, cosidering the price, this Romanian-made bouz is very good and a bargain to start with.
One customization to do: replace the keys. Considering the price they are cheap (that's expected) so some of them become too stiff and hard to turn while others remain loose. Currently they're doing the job. But l'm planning to replace them.
Once done, well, it will be an average good instrument.
Only the time will answer on wood quality but it appears well made.
The black finish is good to see and performing on stage is going to have success.
Enjoy!

this is one of a series of bouzouki's I owned over the years - the last being a quite expensive electro-acoustic one which I used to play live but never really bonded with and have sold recently.

I wanted one to play aboyt the house, record with, and potentially play live at some point again.

I went for this model as I reckoned the dark finish was perhaps hiding wood that was cosmetically poor, but structurally and sonically equivalent to the more expensive clear finish versions.

The big pro - this bouzouki sounds great. bright and loud without being overly thin. Onboard electronics work fine also.

I had to adjust the intonation, but there is enough play on the bridge to do so relatively easily.

the finish is nice, the tuners... well with this form of tuners unless you're spending big money they are all equally limited. These work better than I feared they might, fine in fact.

The big problem for most people would be that the action isn't great (fine up to about the 10th fret) - this can be remedied by sanding the bridge saddled (which is a removable separate piece) - not every play might feel comfortable doing this, but its a relatively easy mod.

the takeaway - great value for money for a beginner or someone more experienced who is happy to do a few simple mods or adjustments

I take this with me when I go to festivals or camping. It's very robust, it surprisingly stays in tune very stable - around a fire, out in the cold, just needs a tweak here and there but indoors? Very stable. Not like a 12 string guitar or even mandolin, maybe it's just this one but it's never a big headache.

It's beautiful. Just a unique sound. Chords are easy to play shapes, I play without a pick just with my fingers / nails. Always gets so much attention at festivals and camping! Smart looking, the finish has withstood me bashing at it as a makeshift drum. I've really abused it honestly. It's more lightweight and nimble to wear about yourself than a guitar is, but it's got more presence than a ukulele or mandolin. It's just perfect for adventures, folk, and experimenting.

The electro part works, it sounds ok. It's not state of the art at all. But if you record, you want to blend the acoustic and electric sound anyway. I've played with it live, the EQ gives enough to make adjustments to the soundie's directions, it works fine but I think this is probably where you could pay more for a higher quality piezo and eq system. Otherwise, well made, absolute bargain, came set up fine from what I remember but I might have shifted the bridge for intonation, I can't remember.

Definitely one of my favourite purchases.