Your Thoughts on the Mandolin Building Industry

[Keith Erickson]

Hi Folks,

After pondering upon the Gibson/ Gryphon posts, I was wondering if there was something more that was happening that we were all not seeing.

Do you think that the Mandolin Building Industry is moving to be more regionalized over time to reflect the differnt geographical cultures of the US?

An Example-

Rigel is made in Vermont serving the New England Market while Gibson is made and distributed mostly in the Southeastern US and so forth.

It may be wild speculation....

...just wanted to hear some of your thoughts #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

I'm probably off my rocker totally, but who knows.

[Tim]

I guess you'll be stuck with Collings. #Not sure what we'll have to use here in Virginia.

Seriously, I don't think that with the internet that the regionalization will happen.

[Lee]

Geographical cultures?

[Jim Hilburn]

The ones I build may become the mandolin of the African continent. I have 2 over there now with a 3rd being built now. Still more in the Denver area,though.

[Lee]

Colorado seems to have more than it's fair share of builders, Jim. How about you relocating to Philly? Bluett is the closest builder way out in York, and Lou Stiver is on the other side in W.PA. We could use a builder around here. You can show off at the Phila Folk Festival each year for some great exposure.
Ever have a really good cheesesteak?

[Big Joe]

To answer your question in a more serious manner, I don't think so. Gibson as an example is only centered in the Southeast, but we have dealers elsewhere also. We do need more than four dealers West of the Mississippi, but that will come with time. We actually have an interenational distribution. Rigel has a national dealer base also as does Weber and Collings. Some of the smaller builders that are not as well known may be more regionalized, however, as the reputation of the builder grows and their numbers get large enough that people from around the nation play them and want them there will be distribution where needed. This may be from a dealer network, or from direct sales from the builder. Amazingly Steve Gilchrist can live in Australia and see his mandolins sell all across the nation with no problem. You won't walk into many stores and find them, but they are in great demand everywhere. Just my thoughts.

[John Flynn]

Just from a marketing perspective, it would seem the trend is the other way. More and more sales seem to be happening over the 'net, which means they can happen anywhere. I can see small builders springing up more places, just because anyone can now have access to a distribution channel and similary, anyone can have easy access to builder's supplies.

I am a Rigel owner and I live in the Midwest. I never thought of Rigel as making a "Northeastern mandolin." I also have an Old Wave. I doubt Bill Bussman sells many mandos locally in the middle of the New Mexican desert!

[oldwave maker]

I seem to have cured the MAS of both new mexico mandolin players.....a few thousand more walmarts open up, and I'll be moving to beijing to work for eastman......

[Pedal Steel Mike]

I live in Los Angeles, and play a Rigel. I chose it after trying out Collings, Breedlove, Weber, Michael Kelly, Eastman, and National, and Godin, at the NAMM (National Assn. of Music Merchants trade) show, where they all had booths.

This is an international event, with buyers as well as manufaturers from all over the world. All these companies were there to establish or enhance their dealer networks worldwide.

[pdlstl]

I seem to have cured the MAS of both new mexico mandolin players.....a few thousand more walmarts open up, and I'll be moving to beijing to work for eastman......
Bill,

Would one of those two be Steve Smith?

[Ted Eschliman]

Interesting theory, but I'd have to agree with the consensus so far. I don't think the "regional culture" of music (we are far too well connected with internet and shipping industry sophistication) is as much a factor as the economic sensiblities of accessible wood (i.e. Vermont maple), labor & real estate overhead, and the marketing saavy of the builder him/herself. Plus, I think the builder's location is probably determined most by the lifestyle culture and comfort level of the community they choose to live in. (The music might be a small part of that, though)
The two dozen Rigels I've sold in the past year have been distributed all over the U.S., including Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, Minnesota, Texas, California, Washington State, and Hawaii. That's a whole mess of individual(domestic) regional tastes.

[addcourt]

With websites such as this one along with all of the other means of educating and conducting business worldwide, seems as though regionalization in marketing is a thing of the past. Even eBay has helped to create an international market for the average buyer/seller. I think it's very exciting to be a consumer in this age(cautiously excited).

[FlawLaw]

I admit, I sometimes have a measure of regional sensitivity - to a point. I purchased a bass once because the compnay started in Buffalo (but has since moved to CA) and am interested in a custom mandolin, in part because it is made in my hometown, but that being said, I usually buy an instrument because of tone and not location.

[craigmurray]

If so, watch out for the Canadians with their high quality instruments. #We have Heiden, Apitius, Baird, Woodley, Weins and many others. #Not bad for an nation of 30 million.
Craig