My new Ivanovski Busato

Buco · August 31

https://www.djangobooks.com/forum/discussion/comment/122737#Comment_122737

That's nice! Let's see it, post some pics.

VicBulbon · September 1

The strings are finally here. D Adario 10s. I left the two high strings from the original set on. I think they are 11s and put on four new strings from the set and the guitar is great now. Fortunately the low string muddiness is all gone. There's still a little buzz with the open strings. I believe Risto set this up on the comfortable side of things and I may consider adding a shim to the bass side of the bridge. The buzz is not that bad though, and in character with some gypsy guitars I heard before. The tone is really great, especially if I use the right picking technique and play closer to the bridge. The 675 scale length ended up being just fine for me, so thats a relief. I'll try to get a recording of it tomorrow or the day after.

Joonas · September 2

@VicBulbon I'm glad to hear that!

On the picture you posted at the start of this thread your guitar had strings with red thread winded around the lower end of each string. Someone knowledgeable than me must certainly know what brand and size uses that color (and some companies don't do that all).

Buco · September 2

Most likely it was Argentine 11 gauge, they have a red silk wrap.

Vic, at some point try the 11 gauge again. It may be enough to raise the action just a smidge where the slight buzz disappears. Let the guitar settle in to the local climate for a couple of weeks before you change the action. As long as it doesn't bother let it adjust itself as it's acclimating.

littlemark · September 2

Thomastiks also have red silks. But I doubt that's what was on the guitar.

VicBulbon · September 3

Here's some demo of the guitar. Please excuse my playing as usual. But man, having a guitar that sounds really authentic does inspire you to practice more. I'm really not sure whether this sounds like a Busato or a big selmer. I don't have enough guitars to compare with, and as we all know, the player is about 80% of the sound and I hadn't tried much GJ guitars in person. I do think this is a loud authentic guitar. I'm a bit obsess with getting those highs out right though. The attack has to be just right and relaxed, and the picking position has to also be close ish to the bridge. I hope this is good enough for you guys to hear the character of the guitar. And yes, the original strings are argentines according to risto.

https://youtube.com/shorts/QD0oDZEDr0k?si=LkBqnSq2u57aX63r

VicBulbon · September 3

Also picking style does matter a lot. Clearly I'm getting a very different sound on this compare to the first demo by Risto, so its great to know that you can work on your tone by adjusting the picking style.