Has anyone had experience with a Celtic Star octave mandolin or mandola made in eastern Europe? I have played a Celtic Star mandola and viewed the photos on their website.
It appears the string spacing on the bridge is not the right spacing and the bridge is the same one used throughout the line. The outer strings are too far from the outer edge of the fret board.
Any comment on the string spacing or overall quality the Celtic Star will be greatly appreciated before I go ahead and buy a one.
I should add that the CS mandola I played had the string spacing corrected by the owner who loaned me the instrument.
In order to attain the correct spacing to G an E stings were moved to very edge of the string saddle to the point of almost falling off the rounded end of the saddle.
It appears as though, the saddle & bridge on the mandola is the same length as the one shown on the CS mandolin.
I bought a CS bouzouki about 2 years ago, and I would only consider it as a starter instrument, I didn't find the overall quality to be great but its good for the price. My instrument also has a bit of a rattle on the A string, although i dont know whether that is just my instrument or if its a common problem. In regards to the spacing I havnt found any problems.
A good starter bouzouki and octave mandolin have been made by Trinity College for years. The Johnson models have a deeper box, more punch and growl. Then Fender did a short experiment with Bouzoukis and Octaves that, like Celtic Star, came with in built pick ups. You can still find and buy all of these on eBay.
Thank you for your comments. The Celtic Star is NOT of the same quality as a Trinity College brand instrument nor is the price. A Trinity College is twice the price.
What attracted me to the Celtic Star is the tuning GDAE which more is more in tune with Traditional Irish Music. However, the string size is of a large in order to get to the GDAE tuning.
I think I'll save my pennies for a little longer and buy a TC octave mandolin as I can't afford a Stefan Sobell with this ecomony.
The tuning is related to the string gauges you choose, plus the scale length. All these things may be varied.
Incidentally, it is quite easy ( well, I did it ) to make a better bridge for your instrument, whether Celtic Star or TC. Just google murphsmethod and learn from Red Henry how to make a better bridge for your mando-whatever - I did for my 'zouk.
I've got a bid inon a CS mandola on EBay site for $350 US. I live in NC,US. Any thoughts on condition it may arrive to me in after such a LONG ride here ??? Anyone out there played one ?? How's the electronics sound to you ?? Any replys appreciated !! Thanks ,Patrick
I recently purchased a Celtic Star Mandola with GDAE tuning. It sounds no where near like a mandoli, I guess the best I can describe it is that it almost sounds like the Ocatave mandolin but the tone is not as deep. I love it, I have no complaints whatsoever.
Celtic Star instruments???
Celtic Star instruments???
Has anyone had experience with a Celtic Star octave mandolin or mandola made in eastern Europe? I have played a Celtic Star mandola and viewed the photos on their website.
It appears the string spacing on the bridge is not the right spacing and the bridge is the same one used throughout the line. The outer strings are too far from the outer edge of the fret board.
Any comment on the string spacing or overall quality the Celtic Star will be greatly appreciated before I go ahead and buy a one.
# Posted on June 11th 2009 by Cape Cod Struggler
Re: Celtic Star instruments???
I should add that the CS mandola I played had the string spacing corrected by the owner who loaned me the instrument.
In order to attain the correct spacing to G an E stings were moved to very edge of the string saddle to the point of almost falling off the rounded end of the saddle.
It appears as though, the saddle & bridge on the mandola is the same length as the one shown on the CS mandolin.
# Posted on June 11th 2009 by Cape Cod Struggler
Re: Celtic Star instruments???
I bought a CS bouzouki about 2 years ago, and I would only consider it as a starter instrument, I didn't find the overall quality to be great but its good for the price. My instrument also has a bit of a rattle on the A string, although i dont know whether that is just my instrument or if its a common problem. In regards to the spacing I havnt found any problems.
# Posted on June 11th 2009 by Joneser
Re: Celtic Star instruments???
A good starter bouzouki and octave mandolin have been made by Trinity College for years. The Johnson models have a deeper box, more punch and growl. Then Fender did a short experiment with Bouzoukis and Octaves that, like Celtic Star, came with in built pick ups. You can still find and buy all of these on eBay.
# Posted on June 12th 2009 by Micheál
Re: Celtic Star instruments???
Thank you for your comments. The Celtic Star is NOT of the same quality as a Trinity College brand instrument nor is the price. A Trinity College is twice the price.
What attracted me to the Celtic Star is the tuning GDAE which more is more in tune with Traditional Irish Music. However, the string size is of a large in order to get to the GDAE tuning.
I think I'll save my pennies for a little longer and buy a TC octave mandolin as I can't afford a Stefan Sobell with this ecomony.
# Posted on June 12th 2009 by Cape Cod Struggler
Re: Celtic Star instruments???
The tuning is related to the string gauges you choose, plus the scale length. All these things may be varied.
Incidentally, it is quite easy ( well, I did it ) to make a better bridge for your instrument, whether Celtic Star or TC. Just google murphsmethod and learn from Red Henry how to make a better bridge for your mando-whatever - I did for my 'zouk.
# Posted on June 12th 2009 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Celtic Star instruments???
I've got a bid inon a CS mandola on EBay site for $350 US. I live in NC,US. Any thoughts on condition it may arrive to me in after such a LONG ride here ??? Anyone out there played one ?? How's the electronics sound to you ?? Any replys appreciated !! Thanks ,Patrick
# Posted on July 25th 2009 by patrick kearney
Re: Celtic Star instruments???
I recently purchased a Celtic Star Mandola with GDAE tuning. It sounds no where near like a mandoli, I guess the best I can describe it is that it almost sounds like the Ocatave mandolin but the tone is not as deep. I love it, I have no complaints whatsoever.
# Posted on September 2nd 2009 by paddymcd