In the heart of Athens, in Psyrri – a charming and historic neighborhood known for its lively tavernas, music bars, and vivid shops – lies a small but unique music workshop. Here, the dedicated and innovative instrument maker Giorgos Karellas works.
Amid the smell of wood shavings, the sound of sandpaper rasping, and strings being tuned, raw pieces of wood are transformed into instruments such as bouzouki, baglama, tzoura, and Greek folk guitars. With a passion that was sparked at the age of ten in his grandfather’s carpentry workshop, Giorgos has dedicated his life to combining traditional craftsmanship with innovative ideas.
In addition to handcrafting instruments, Giorgos has also modernized the industry. In the late 1990s, he built Greece’s first online music store – a pioneering effort that left a mark during a time of change. For this, he was awarded a prize by the Greek government for digital entrepreneurship.
But his passion truly shines in his physical workshop – where each instrument is a tribute to Greece’s rich musical heritage and craftsmanship traditions.
Experience a live visit to the workshop of a bouzouki maker!
In the spring of 2025, Expedition Greece plans to offer guided visits to this authentic instrument workshop in Athens. Here, you will see the craftsmanship behind Greece’s most iconic folk instruments and take part in both practical demonstrations and stories about the rich history of the trade. The instrument maker himself, Giorgos Karellas, will share his knowledge and passion, from traditional techniques to modern innovation.
Watch for our upcoming newsletter and social media posts to express your interest. Or simply write in the comments below – we look forward to hearing from you!
From apprentice to master instrument maker
Giorgos Karellas’ journey began long before he set foot in a music workshop. As a ten-year-old, he stood by his grandfather’s side in a carpentry shop, where pieces of wood were transformed into wine barrels, troughs, and saddles. It was there that his love for craftsmanship was born, a passion that has followed him throughout his life.
His fascination with sound and instruments took off in school, where he built his first flute from bamboo scraps. His passion deepened during visits to a nearby monastery, where the monks’ various signals on wooden bells sparked his curiosity about the sound and acoustics of wood. These early discoveries became the young Giorgos’ first encounters with the magical interplay between wood and sound. This combination would lay the foundation for a life devoted to Greek music.
“So, Giorgos, tell us, how did you get started in this trade? What made you so passionate about it?”
“It all started when my parents sent me to Athens to celebrate Christmas with my uncle,” Giorgos says with a smile. “He had a music workshop, and I spent the whole day there. It was like stepping into a new world – the smells, the sounds, the tools. I was instantly enchanted!”
“I was fourteen at the time,” he continues.
“When I came back, I couldn’t let it go. I kept pestering my parents to let me move to Athens and start working with my uncle.”
“And did they agree to that?”
“Yes, with the condition that I would continue my schooling there. But I spent almost all my time in the workshop anyway. I didn’t even want to leave the workshop for lunch – that’s how passionate I was.”
“I stayed with my uncle for 15 years,” Giorgos continues. “I learned quickly, but I was sometimes a bit too cocky – I’d say I could do things better than him! But over time, I matured and realized just how much he taught me.”
Tradition meets innovation
After many years as an apprentice, Giorgos began to dream of creating something of his own. He had developed a deep fascination with musical instruments, and violins, in particular, piqued his curiosity.
“For a few years, I wanted to become a violin maker,” Giorgos recalls. “There was something about the shape and sound of the violin that fascinated me. I dreamt of studying in Cremona, Italy, but I didn’t know the language, and there were many other obstacles at the time that made it impossible for me to even think about it.”
Although his dream of making violins never became a reality, his passion led him down other paths. He traveled to Germany, where he worked with modern techniques and the building of classical instruments. There, he learned to combine his traditional craftsmanship with new methods. These experiences shaped his view of the trade.
“The time in Germany gave me a new perspective,” he says. “I realized that tradition and innovation don’t have to be in conflict – they can complement each other.”
After 15 years of apprenticeship and experiences from both Athens and abroad, Giorgos finally took the big step of opening his own workshop. It was a decision that required both courage and determination.
“I felt it was time,” he explains. “I wanted to create something that was my own, where I could apply what I had learned and continue to grow.”
With his workshop as a base, Giorgos continued to seek knowledge and inspiration. He corresponded with schools in Germany to gain access to materials and information about the trade. But it was a challenge – finding details on instrument making was difficult, especially for someone working in Greece.
“At that time, it wasn’t like today,” Giorgos explains. “There was no internet, and finding the right books or manuals was almost impossible. I had to study on my own and learn through trial and error.”
Despite the difficulties, he didn’t give up. He seized every opportunity to learn more, both through correspondence and by experimenting in the workshop. It was a time marked by both determination and a thirst for discovery, where each breakthrough was a confirmation of his passion for the craft.
New roles in the world of craftsmanship
With his workshop running smoothly and years of experience behind him, Giorgos took the next step in his career – he became a teacher. When new schools for craftsmanship and instrument-making opened in Greece, Giorgos was one of the first to be hired as a teacher. Here, he had the opportunity to share his knowledge and inspire the next generation of instrument makers.
His passion for craftsmanship extended far beyond the workshop. As a teacher, he saw it not only as his task to teach technical skills but also to instill respect for tradition and the importance of continuous development.
At the same time, he took on another important role – president of the Greek instrument makers’ union. Here, he fought for better working conditions and for raising the profile of the trade within Greece’s cultural landscape.
“It was a time when a lot was changing in the guild, and it was important for us to stick together,” Giorgos recalls.
His involvement in both education and union work made him a key figure in Greek instrument making, a position he used to elevate the entire profession.
The profession from past to present
When the economic crisis hit Greece hard, Giorgos was forced to reassess his situation. It became increasingly difficult to balance work with education and the workshop. In the end, he chose to let go of all other commitments to fully focus on his craftsmanship and the instruments that were his life’s passion.
“Tell us a little about the profession. It must be a trade that stretches far back in history – one of the oldest crafts, building musical instruments.”
“The profession has developed slowly over time,” Giorgos explains. “During the early years of the modern Greek state, in the 1800s, musicians often built their instruments, but over time, the profession began to specialize, particularly in the cities.”
In the 20th century, the bouzouki developed with strong influences from the mandolin and eventually became a symbol of Greek music, despite initially being dismissed by certain social groups.
“The bouzouki became an instrument for revolutionary and cultural expression,” Giorgos continues, especially during the interwar period with the rise of rebetiko. Today, the bouzouki is Greece’s most iconic instrument and is used by musicians around the world, with its development still influenced by both societal changes and individual innovations.
How a bouzouki is made – step by step
“So, Giorgos, what is the most important thing for you when you start building a new bouzouki? What is the first thing you think about?”
“The material, of course – the wood,” Giorgos begins. “We use both local woods like walnut and linden, as well as imported materials like rosewood and ebony. Each type of wood has its specific characteristics and requires different treatment.”
“How do you choose the right wood for an instrument?”
“It depends on hardness, elasticity, durability, and of course, cost,” Giorgos explains. “Some types of wood are very expensive. It’s about creating a balance between aesthetics and function. The instrument must not only be beautiful – it must also last over time.”
Giorgos points to a bouzouki in his workshop:
“This one is 20 years old, and right now I’m doing a general service on it. But it still works perfectly. Another bouzouki, hanging over there, is over 30 years old. When the base structure is right, instruments last a long time.”
“Tell us briefly about the process from wood to finished bouzouki. How does it work?”
“First, I choose the material, often in consultation with the customer,” Giorgos explains. “Then, I start with the shape, the body of the instrument. That’s the foundation, and after that, I build the soundboard – the top. I adjust the soundboard according to the wood’s frequencies before I assemble it. Finally, the neck and fingerboard are added, where I make sure they can withstand the tension of the strings.”
“Has technology changed the work?”
“Absolutely. I use both traditional methods and modern technology like computers and lasers for greater precision. But in the end, it’s always the hands that do the final finishing.”
“And after that?”
“Then comes the varnishing. I apply several layers of varnish, with drying time between each, depending on humidity and temperature. After that, I tune the instrument and do the final tests. Only then is it ready for delivery.”
A craft that carries Greek music forward
Giorgos Karellas is not just an instrument maker – he is a bridge between the past and the future. In his workshop in Psyrri, he creates not only instruments but also a link to Greece’s rich musical traditions. Each bouzouki, each baglama, and each tzoura carries a piece of the Greek soul, a heritage that Giorgos nurtures with care and passion.
His story is a reminder that craftsmanship is not just about technique, but about a love for the material, the music, and the culture. And when he tunes the final strings on a newly built instrument, he knows that it’s not just an object leaving his workshop – it’s a part of Greece’s heart and soul that lives on.
Experience a live visit to the workshop of a bouzouki maker!
In the spring of 2025, The Greek Expedition plans to offer guided visits to this authentic instrument workshop in Athens. Here, you will see the craftsmanship behind Greece’s most iconic folk instruments and take part in both practical demonstrations and stories about the rich history of the trade. The instrument maker himself, Giorgos Karellas, will share his knowledge and passion, from traditional techniques to modern innovation.
Watch for our upcoming newsletter and social media posts to express your interest. You can also write in the comments below – we look forward to hearing from you!
Giorgos Karellas homepage here>>
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