Someone gave me a lute-back (bowl-back) mandolin about two years ago. It sat in its case, unplayed, until I went to a weeklong dance/music camp here in Australia at the beginning of this year and came home inspired to give the mandolin a try. (Although a whistle player, I'd had about 20 classical guitar lessons so was starting to feel comfortable with stringed instruments.)
As soon as I got home the mandolin came out of its case and I've thoroughly enjoyed learning to play since.
Lovely as the lute-back is, though, I'd really like to play a flat-back.
First, any recommendations ... I don't want an instrument with a loud or 'bright' tone ... would prefer 'sweeter', more mellow sound. Sound is more important than looks but having seen a few instruments, the 'austere' , plain timber look appeals rather than flashy colours!
What to look for?
Second: does anyone have such an instrument for sale or know of dealers/shops with 2nd hand instruments for sale?
I live in far northern NSW a long way from cities with big music stores and so far haven't found anything suitable on eBay.
People go on about how expensive they are, but I don't think they are at all for what you're getting in return for the money, especially when you compare with other types of instruments like fiddles and flutes. I mean let's face it your'e buying a musical instrument, not a pack of undies to last you the next year!
including some in northern NSW and S Queensland.
Stephen Gilchrist (Vic) and Paul Duff (WA) are considered among the world's leading makers of the chunky sounding bluegrass style flat-back mandolins (and they are very expensive). However it wouldn't hurt for a start to talk to some of your nearer mandolin builders.
They've got a range of stuff from factory-made through to handmade instruments in the four-and five-figure brackets, but they're pretty realistic about balancing needs/wants against price range and they have *real* banjos and mandolins and other non-guitar instruments, not just the odd token bit of rubbish for decoration. I've always found them helpful.
I am also looking to buy a mandolin in Australia, and am hoping basically to find the cheapest instrument i can find which wont fall apart in my hands. (I am also a beginner.(very much so))
Almost all of the under $AU300 manolins seem to be bluegrass/country mandolins, and i play celtic music. Will a bluegrass mandolin sound alright for celtic music, or is it a very different sound?
Also, i have been borrowing a Martin & Co. Backpacker (the funny shaped one). Do these play and sound similar to a full-body mandolin, or will a full size one be a very different instrument?
Seeking flat-back mandolin in Australia
Seeking flat-back mandolin in Australia
Someone gave me a lute-back (bowl-back) mandolin about two years ago. It sat in its case, unplayed, until I went to a weeklong dance/music camp here in Australia at the beginning of this year and came home inspired to give the mandolin a try. (Although a whistle player, I'd had about 20 classical guitar lessons so was starting to feel comfortable with stringed instruments.)
As soon as I got home the mandolin came out of its case and I've thoroughly enjoyed learning to play since.
Lovely as the lute-back is, though, I'd really like to play a flat-back.
First, any recommendations ... I don't want an instrument with a loud or 'bright' tone ... would prefer 'sweeter', more mellow sound. Sound is more important than looks but having seen a few instruments, the 'austere' , plain timber look appeals rather than flashy colours!
What to look for?
Second: does anyone have such an instrument for sale or know of dealers/shops with 2nd hand instruments for sale?
I live in far northern NSW a long way from cities with big music stores and so far haven't found anything suitable on eBay.
# Posted on May 1st 2005 by Silverlining
Re: Seeking flat-back mandolin in Australia
I've heard red-backs are rife over there.
# Posted on May 1st 2005 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: Seeking flat-back mandolin in Australia
Order a Sobell large-bodied from the UK, maybe with a 5th course of strings at the bass end, patterned maple back and sides, nice and mellow, oo yummy http://www.sobellguitars.com/index.htm?http://www.sobellguitars.com/Mandolin_Maple.htm.
# Posted on May 1st 2005 by Dr. Dow
Re: Seeking flat-back mandolin in Australia
Are they pricey? I have seen and heard them before, and they are very nice instruments.
# Posted on May 1st 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Re: Seeking flat-back mandolin in Australia
People go on about how expensive they are, but I don't think they are at all for what you're getting in return for the money, especially when you compare with other types of instruments like fiddles and flutes. I mean let's face it your'e buying a musical instrument, not a pack of undies to last you the next year!
# Posted on May 1st 2005 by Dr. Dow
Re: Seeking flat-back mandolin in Australia
You're looking at about AUD$4000 (plus long waiting list) for Sobell. That would buy a lot of undies.
I wouldn't recommend going for an expensive one right away. If you can afford one though, there are some great makers in Australia: http://www.mandolincafe.com/cgi-bin/builders/searchdb.cgi?uid=default&view_records=1&keyword=Australia
including some in northern NSW and S Queensland.
Stephen Gilchrist (Vic) and Paul Duff (WA) are considered among the world's leading makers of the chunky sounding bluegrass style flat-back mandolins (and they are very expensive). However it wouldn't hurt for a start to talk to some of your nearer mandolin builders.
IIf you wanted a cheaper mail-order one in the meantime, though, this Epiphone would be pretty reasonable: http://www.musicianswarehouse.com.au/default.aspx?Pg=21&ProductCode=MM20AS
# Posted on May 1st 2005 by Bren
Re: Seeking flat-back mandolin in Australia
Maybe you could send these people an e-mail and see if it does you any good:
http://www.guitarfactory.net/default.htm
They've got a range of stuff from factory-made through to handmade instruments in the four-and five-figure brackets, but they're pretty realistic about balancing needs/wants against price range and they have *real* banjos and mandolins and other non-guitar instruments, not just the odd token bit of rubbish for decoration. I've always found them helpful.
# Posted on May 2nd 2005 by Tish
Re: Seeking flat-back mandolin in Australia
AU$4000 that's like 100 quid isn't it? Bargain!
# Posted on May 2nd 2005 by Dr. Dow
Re: Seeking flat-back mandolin in Australia
That's what you like to tell yourself when you check your wallet the morning after ....
# Posted on May 2nd 2005 by Bren
Re: Seeking flat-back mandolin in Australia
Mary Shannon has a mandolin made by Peter Coombe. Sounds like what you want.
Dagger Gordon
# Posted on May 3rd 2005 by CWGordon
Re: Seeking flat-back mandolin in Australia
wow and i was going to offer u a 30 year old Ibanez,flat back ...for a very reasonable price ..in Aussie dollars
# Posted on May 4th 2005 by Fiddlerinoz
Re: Seeking flat-back mandolin in Australia
I am also looking to buy a mandolin in Australia, and am hoping basically to find the cheapest instrument i can find which wont fall apart in my hands. (I am also a beginner.(very much so))
Almost all of the under $AU300 manolins seem to be bluegrass/country mandolins, and i play celtic music. Will a bluegrass mandolin sound alright for celtic music, or is it a very different sound?
Also, i have been borrowing a Martin & Co. Backpacker (the funny shaped one). Do these play and sound similar to a full-body mandolin, or will a full size one be a very different instrument?
Anyway, any help would be very appreciated.
# Posted on May 12th 2005 by kjay_bc_box