Bulgarian mando

[markishandsome]

Does anyone know what type of mandolin is played in Bulgaria? Is it a bowlback or some variant? Thanks

[Paul Kotapish]

There are some mandolin players in Bulgaria, but the most common fretted instrument is the tambura. The back is typically a shallow bowl, often carved from a single piece of wood. There are two-course, three-course, and four-course versions. The two- and three-course versions are typically in fifths, while the four-course version is often tuned like the first four strings of a guitar.

Most of the ones I've played are pretty funky but sound cool.

You can see some photos of a better-than-typical Macedonian version here (http://macedoniadirect.com/music/instrum/tambura.htm).

Lark in the Morning sells a four-course version. (http://larkinthemorning.com/product.asp?pn=STR145)

[Plamen Ivanov]

Hello,

The most popular type of mandolin in Bulgaria is the Italian bowlback mandolin. It`s popular here since the end of the XIX c. All Bulgarian mandolin tutors are "dedicated" to the bowlback mandolin. The flatback mandolins become popular here in the 30`s of the XX c. and they are made after the example of the German flatback mandolins from Markneukirchen. Also German and Japanese bowlbacks are wellknown and well accepted here. There also modern Bulgarian bowlbacks. I`ll upload a picture of it, when I come home. (I`ll try to post also some other pictures).

The bluegrass mandolins and this kind of music is not popular here. I`ve seen and played a Vega cylinder back mandolin, which I don`t quite consider bluegrass. I`ve seen and played also a Saga F5, seen an Ovation and now I own a MK.

Good luck!
Plamen

[Plamen Ivanov]

By the way if anybody is interested in tambura - here (http://www.crafts-bulgaria.com/products.php?pid=213&pg=3) is an incredible CD with tambura music. That`s me who sells these CDs, so I could be suspected of advertising the product, just because I want to sell it. I want to let you know, that about year and a half ago I gave this CD as a present to two of the members of the Board, because I really think it`s worth and interesting.

Good luck!

[singularterm]

A good CD of Bulgarian tamboura music that I've been listening to lately is "The Bulgarian Tamboura" by the Valeri Dimchev Trio.

[Plamen Ivanov]

Here is the picture of a new Bulgarian bowlback mandolin. In the weekend I`ll try to make some pictures of my Bulgarian flatback mandolin, which is at my grandparents house.

[Plamen Ivanov]

Yes, Michael, Valeri Dimchev is a popular tambura performer too. I`m glad to know, that you have listen to his recording and that you find it to be good!

In the CD, that I mentioned above the player is Rumen Sirakov, who has played together with George Harrison and Eric Clapton.

Good luck!

[Jim Garber]

Plamen:
That looks like a decent-quality bowlback. How does it play and sound compared to vintage Italian ones (I know you play at least one of those)? Who is the maker? Will you be selling those on your site.

Jim

[Plamen Ivanov]

Hello Jim,

I have never played one of this bowlback mandolins. The maker`s name is Hristo. I don`t even know his surname, although I have met him few times. These are custom made mandolins and I cannot sell them through my website, because there`s no amount on hand. I`ve been thinking of ordering one of this, but I just ordered an electric mandolin by Pavel Sucek. If my wife doesn`t kill me, I may order also a bowlback by Hristo. Then she will kill me for sure!
If you are interested in ordering I can ask him. Last time when we spoke he had a lot of work and I was supposed to wait about an year for my mandolin to be built. I could check the status now. As I told you, I`m also interested. Will let you know.

Best,
Plamen

[Velkov]

I agree with plami. While the mandolin is not a native Bulgarian instrument, it's been quite popular in Bulgaria as a cheap, easy to learn, easy to cary around folk instrument. There are at least 3 or 4 bowlbacks in my family that were owned by granpas, great-uncles and such... And non of these people claimed to be musicians, and they weren't rich either. It was just part of the culture in the pre rock and roll days.

[Bren]

I may have to go to Bucharest on business in a few weeks.
Do you know of any Romanian mandolin music or makers? I know it's quite a different place but not too far away http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Plamen Ivanov]

Hello Bren,

I know that there`s a production of Romanian mandolins. There was a thread about a comparison between the Romanian mandolins and some other kind of mandolins. Try to find it with the "search". If you have time "jump" to Sofia. You are pretty welcome!!!

Best,
Plamen

[Plamen Ivanov]

I found them for you. Try this (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=12;t=22961;hl=romania) and this. (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=4;t=22151;hl=romania)

Good luck!

[Bren]

Thanks Plami. I'd love to come over to Sofia but I don't think Mrs Bren would be too happy if I turned a couple of days business into a mandolicious weekend away!
I've seen those Romanian mandos - there is a distributor for them in Scotland and a few shops here carry them. Good value instruments.

[Plamen Ivanov]

Here is a bad (small) picture of a Bulgarian mandola:

[Alekos]

Regarding the Tambura CD, that Plami mentioned. I'm one of the happy owners of this CD and I have to say, that Rumen Sirakov is really very good tambura player. Tracks on the CD are very well arranged, you can find here almost all, that is typical for bulgarian folk music, mainly the bulgarian voices, that (together with the tambura) sounds great. You don't need to be balkan folk-enthusiast to buy this CD.. if you are tired from the well known west-european culture (irish, gaelic, etc..), this could be something new for you.. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Plamen Ivanov]

The year is 1953.

[Plamen Ivanov]

1980

[Plamen Ivanov]

1986

[Plamen Ivanov]

...

[Plamen Ivanov]

I don`t remember the year, but it`s from the times, when I still had some hair on my head. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[mandolinoman]

Plamen,

Great photos that you posted! #

George

[Eugene]

Wow. I entirely missed this thread until...well...until now. It's hard to tell from photos, but that mandolin by Hristo looks pretty nice to me; it looks to be constructed with a mind to being broadly versatile and playable in absence of expensive, decorative frills. I'm really curious too, Plamen. Please let me know when you have any info.

[Plamen Ivanov]

I have posted this (or at least mentioned about it) in another thread before, but here it is again to expand your idea about the Bulgarian mandolin. It`s taken from the website of the Kremona musical instruments factory and I think it`s an interesting story by itself:

KREMONA HISTORY

Kremona's history starts near the beginning of the nineteenth century, by a man named Dimitar Georgiev.

Mr. Georgiev began his career as a journeyman gunsmith. He soon became a master, designing and building his own machine guns that he felt were mechanical art pieces. As the First World War began Dimitar is compelled to join his countries military and test his accomplishments of design and manufacture. He soon realizes that his art form is a horrific tool against man, and turns his back on the trade. While still on the fronts of Europe he finds solace in music and playing his mandolin. This hostile environment proved to be hard on his beloved instrument and he is forced to repair it on numerous occasions by himself.

Returning home to Bulgaria Dimitar begins to produce hand carved samples of his new talent. He began with mandolins, violins, and later guitars. These samples proved his talent and gained him an apprenticeship in the famous town of Markneukirchen, Germany. He excels at the trade and returns to Bulgaria in 1924 to start his own workshop. Kremona was established with the help of his two brothers, and later two German master craftsmen.

Today Kremona is again a privately owned and operated facility that employs more than 100 people and craftsman. In a modern world Kremona continues with its rich traditional history of workmanship and excellence. Using only the finest in local materials as well as imported materials Kremona continues to improve the look, feel and playability of its instruments from the comprehensive line of guitars to the specialized master violins and stringed instruments.



Here (http://kremona.com/) is the website of the factory. I`m not sure if it is accessible from the outside.

Good luck!

[violmando]

I am studying both Bulgarian and Macedonian tambura (they are somewhat different) and find them both very enjoyable. Another CD that you might find enjoyable is of an American who now lives, I believe in Germany, Adam Good. It is available from CD Baby and instrumentals "Dances of Macedonia and the Balkans". He is excellent and will be teaching Macedonian technique at the East Coast Balkan Camp this August. Both instruments are carved of one piece of wood, but the Macedonian frequently uses drones with its four strings, while the Bulgarian uses much shifting up and down the strings and chording more similar to the guitar. Gorgeous sounds! Yvonne