Anybody familiar with American luthier Clay Alden's instruments? I stumbled across his website and like the look but know nothing about the sound and playability.
Specifically I'm interested in his bouzoukis and octave mandolins.
Re: Anyone tried an Alden bouzouki/octave mandolin?
I am always amazed at how many luthiers there are. I have been following the cittern list, irish bouzouki list, attending ZoukFest, and otherwise paying attention to what is out there in the CBOM world for about 10 years and have not seen Clay Alden's name before. Did not see his prices for bouzoukis and octave mandos on his web site. Do you know what he charges?
Re: Anyone tried an Alden bouzouki/octave mandolin?
I should point out that he seems to think a bouzouki has a 22 inch scale. That's an octave mandolin by my way of thinking.
Has anyone told him that ?
The prices seem good, but I'm not a fan of his preferred mandolin design, but that's a personal preference.
Re: Anyone tried an Alden bouzouki/octave mandolin?
I recently acquired an Alden bouzouki, and it's an awesome instrument for the price. The price range is as mentioned above by jimtowat, and yes the standard scale is 22", but he is willing to build to anybody's specs. The model I got is zebrawood sides, back & neck, cedar top, and purpleheart fingerboard and binding. Beautiful instrument and great sound. I requested octave tuning on the lower two courses.
I keep meaning to record a video clip to post on youtube...just have to get to it. Clay builds great instruments, and is very nice to work with on the phone. My instrument is a keeper.
Anyone tried an Alden bouzouki/octave mandolin?
Anyone tried an Alden bouzouki/octave mandolin?
Anybody familiar with American luthier Clay Alden's instruments? I stumbled across his website and like the look but know nothing about the sound and playability.
Specifically I'm interested in his bouzoukis and octave mandolins.
Any comments?
# Posted on September 14th 2009 by jimtowat
Re: Anyone tried an Alden bouzouki/octave mandolin?
I am always amazed at how many luthiers there are. I have been following the cittern list, irish bouzouki list, attending ZoukFest, and otherwise paying attention to what is out there in the CBOM world for about 10 years and have not seen Clay Alden's name before. Did not see his prices for bouzoukis and octave mandos on his web site. Do you know what he charges?
John
# Posted on September 14th 2009 by John Conoboy
Re: Anyone tried an Alden bouzouki/octave mandolin?
$800 to 1000 USD. http://www.aldenoriginals.com/Home.html
# Posted on September 15th 2009 by jimtowat
Re: Anyone tried an Alden bouzouki/octave mandolin?
I should point out that he seems to think a bouzouki has a 22 inch scale. That's an octave mandolin by my way of thinking.
Has anyone told him that ?
The prices seem good, but I'm not a fan of his preferred mandolin design, but that's a personal preference.
# Posted on September 15th 2009 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Anyone tried an Alden bouzouki/octave mandolin?
I recently acquired an Alden bouzouki, and it's an awesome instrument for the price. The price range is as mentioned above by jimtowat, and yes the standard scale is 22", but he is willing to build to anybody's specs. The model I got is zebrawood sides, back & neck, cedar top, and purpleheart fingerboard and binding. Beautiful instrument and great sound. I requested octave tuning on the lower two courses.
I keep meaning to record a video clip to post on youtube...just have to get to it. Clay builds great instruments, and is very nice to work with on the phone. My instrument is a keeper.
# Posted on September 21st 2009 by davarm
Re: Anyone tried an Alden bouzouki/octave mandolin?
Ok, I finally made a short video featuring my Alden Bouzouki:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oEWoXY0cTw
# Posted on September 29th 2009 by davarm