MASTER LUTHIER
Born in March 1973 in the quiet village town of Malesina, Greece (130km north of Athens), Nikos developed an early fascination with crafting small objects out of wood. At the age of 12, he attempted to make his first instrument, a “baglama” (a small version of a bouzouki), entirely on his own. By age 13, he began learning to play the bouzouki, taking lessons from renowned composer and bouzouki player Giorgos Manisalis. He also participated in the Livadia Odeon for over three years and later studied under the esteemed bouzouki teacher Themis Papavasiliou, which included extensive theoretical training.
Nikos’s professional career as a musician began at 16, and by 25, he founded a bouzouki & guitar school where he continues to teach. Between the ages of 23 and 28, Nikos pursued diploma-level studies in classical guitar and harmony at the Odeon of Maestro Kosta Klava.
Since 2012, Nikos has dedicated himself full-time to the art of instrument making, focusing on custom acoustic guitars, as well as bouzoukis, tzouras, mandolins, and similar instruments. Notably, all components of his instruments are handmade. He meticulously crafts inlays, purflings, bindings, and rosettes by hand, avoiding machinery whenever possible. Nikos passionately states,
I have dedicated and keep dedicating my entire life to instrument making, especially the guitar.
Outside of his instrument making, Nikos’s passion is marathon running. To date, he has run marathons in 3 different countries
paisiosnikos@gmail.com