Hello everyone. To be honest, I feel as though I’ve been looking in through the window for quite some time now, having read many of the threads that have been posted. I’ve been playing guitar for around 15 years and recently borrowed a three-course bouzouki from an acquaintance (according to him, it was almost professional-grade, worth around €1,500, although I don’t know any more details). I was never a huge fan of rebetiko or related music, but I have to admit that I fell in love with the sound of the bouzouki, as well as the “way it works”, if you’ll allow me to put it that way. So I started listening to and playing rebetiko songs. At some point, the sad moment came when I had to return the instrument, and now I’m left longing for one of my own. And after that extremely long introduction, here we come to the subject of this post. I’m looking to buy a three-course bouzouki and, from what I’ve gathered, for someone who has experience with music but not with the bouzouki, a very good idea is to buy a second-hand instrument from a well-known/good maker. My main problem is that I live in Kalamata, and it isn’t very easy for me to travel to Athens two or three times to look at a few instruments, only to quite possibly come away empty-handed. I don’t have a fixed budget. Ideally, I’d like to get the best possible instrument for the least money (let’s say €600–700), but if something is really worth it, I’m willing to spend a thousand euros. What would you do in my position? Or what mistakes did you make when you were perhaps in my position? Sorry for the long post. All comments are welcome. Take care, and congratulations on the really wonderful work that has been done on the site, both by the moderators and by everyone else who keeps it alive. I hope I can become a worthy member of your community too!
Welcome to the Forum. Let’s have some good discussions!
I would first go and meet people who are involved in this type of music and know the scene better (e.g. Rembetiko Kompania Kalamata).
There, I would exchange views on instruments and instrument makers, then look for opportunities to hear, see and handle instruments they had made. I would also look through the listings for instruments by these makers.
Once I had a more specific idea of what I was looking for (in terms of appearance, sound, maker, etc.), I would organise a trip so that I could hear and handle these instruments. If I found something I liked, I would buy it. If not, I would continue searching until I found what I wanted, at the price I wanted to pay.
I’m only saying what I would personally do 
Thank you very much for your answer. The issue has been troubling me quite a bit, and I hope I’ll find time, with work and all, to go up to Athens and take a proper organised walk around.
Alexander is right: it’s very important to gather information from the knowledge of those around us, even if they aren’t people we know personally—for those who don’t have musician friends, that is. You go to hear a band one evening and, while you’re there, strike up a conversation as well: “Well done, guys, this and that—you’re really good. Can I ask you a question?”
Some people might see this as imposing, but generally most people like talking about the things they enjoy and do. Musicians, for example, like talking about instruments.
You’re from Kalamata, and not getting in touch with Tsoulogiannis in Sparta is a shame.
Try talking to him on Facebook.
Unfortunately, I haven’t found anyone in the Peloponnese whom I can trust—though I hope I’m proven wrong. In Athens, there are instrument makers whose work is worth the €700–900 they charge. For example, Petros Moustakas, Petros Zaranis, Dimitris Papadakis, Christos Giannopoulos and others.
I recently found out that Karandreas has opened his workshop in Kalamata. I’ll stop by and see if I can find something ready-made or second-hand, because I don’t feel I’m in a position to place an order in my current situation. I hope for the best; I’ll also get in touch with the manufacturer in Sparta!! Many thanks for the replies.
I’ve seen similar questions, but I’ll ask it as well: what do you think of Matsika’s cheaper ones, the new models costing €650–800? Has anyone got any experience with them? Thanks.
Decent instruments for that money. Perhaps the best you can get among mass-produced ones.
Good evening. I bought one from Matsikas in 2019 for €400. I started with it and I still have it. Good value for money. I think Stamkos’s are a little better-sounding, though I don’t want to influence you. You can go and see Matsikas’s and Stamkos’s in person, too. They have instruments ready for you to try and see if they suit you. I wish you good luck, whatever you decide.
Indeed, Giorgos Karandreas has moved to Kalamata, in the Tenta area. If I remember correctly, he is on Marinátou Street.
He usually has 3–4 three-string instruments ready-made. However, in summer 2023, his prices for these instruments were €1,000 to €1,200.