Hora M1089 Bouzouki

Hora Bouzouki M1089 Irish Bouzouki — A Romanian-Made Celtic Workhorse

The Hora Bouzouki M1089 is a flat-back, teardrop-shaped instrument handcrafted in Romania for the Irish folk and acoustic session market. Built around a solid spruce top and a solid maple body, it delivers the bright, cutting tone that carries chord work above fiddles and flutes in a trad session. For guitarists and mandolinists crossing into Celtic music, this model offers a properly scaled instrument at an accessible price.

What Sets the Bouzouki M1089 Apart in Its Class

Two details separate this instrument from entry-level bouzoukis in the same price range. The tonewoods are naturally aged for more than ten years before construction, giving the solid spruce top a more settled, responsive voice straight out of the box. A slotted headstock with geared tuners and a zero-fret nut keeps tuning stable through aggressive strumming, while the marquetry-inlaid scratch plate protects the spruce top from pick wear.

Specs That Matter for the Player

Following the classic Irish bouzouki template, the geometry features a 660 mm scale that gives each string enough tension to ring clearly without feeling stiff. The 34 mm nut and 45 mm width at the 12th fret allow room for strumming and lead work, while 23 frets extend the range into the upper register.

• Scale Length: 660 mm — full GDAE tuning tension with clear bass response
• Bright, focused projection results from a solid spruce top paired with a maple back and sides.
• Neck: maple with truss rod and Fingerboard: acacia — stable action, smooth feel
• Bridge: floating maple with rosewood saddle — easy intonation tweaks
• Overall Length: 940 mm, Weight: approx. 1.4 kg — compact for seated or standing play

Who the Bouzouki M1089 Suits Best

Intermediate players and serious beginners moving into Irish traditional music will find a reliable flat-back bouzouki here, without entering flagship price territory. Guitarists adding a bouzouki will appreciate the familiar scale feel and the GDAE tuning that translates easily from mandolin repertoire. Session players will value the solid spruce top, the truss rod for action adjustments, and the 1.4 kg body that stays comfortable across long sets.