Thinking of buying one of these long scale oms for pub gigs and sessions. Anybody here have experience of these? Its got a pu installed but I'll be changing that as im sure its rubbish
Thinking of buying one of these long scale oms for pub gigs and sessions. Anybody here have experience of these? Its got a pu installed but I'll be changing that as im sure its rubbish
I'm pretty sure it's a mass produced Romanian instrument (Hora), and while functional, will probably benefit from a going over by a luthier. To be honest, I'd just save my money up, and buy a quality instrument from the get go, but it's your cash, not mine
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Apollonio Acousto-electric bouzouki (in shop)
Mixter 10 string mandola (still waiting 2+ yrs)
Unknown brand Mandocaster (on the way!)
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"Doubt begins only at the last frontiers of what is possible." -- Ambrose Bierce
I don't think the Celtic Star stuff is made by Hora.
Steve
I just wantd a cheapie but its already sold.bah
I stand corrected, they're from Germany.
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Apollonio Acousto-electric bouzouki (in shop)
Mixter 10 string mandola (still waiting 2+ yrs)
Unknown brand Mandocaster (on the way!)
=============================
"Doubt begins only at the last frontiers of what is possible." -- Ambrose Bierce
They are made by Hora. I played one in a music store. The label said " made in Romania". The gentleman in Germany who markets these on eBay contracts with the Hora factory to manufacture the instruments to his own specifications. They are not recognizable as Hora because of the unique colors finishes and inlays. As for the one I played, I found the unplugged sound unimpressive but good enough for a cheaply I guess. The glossy finish had a big crack in it so whatever they use is susceptible to weather checking, apparently.
Don
2016 Weber Custom Bitterroot F
2011 Weber Bitterroot A
1974 Martin Style A
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Apollonio Acousto-electric bouzouki (in shop)
Mixter 10 string mandola (still waiting 2+ yrs)
Unknown brand Mandocaster (on the way!)
=============================
"Doubt begins only at the last frontiers of what is possible." -- Ambrose Bierce
The stuff on Celtic Star's website all has a deeper, more onion-shaped body with a fixed pin bridge and a solid headstock...quite different than anything I've ever seen from Hora.
http://www.celtic-star.com/
Steve
What I stated in this earlier Celtic Star thread is that "Hora says they don't build Celtic Star instruments."
What I based this definitive statement on, I can't remember four years later. But while I'm often wrong, I'm never in doubt...
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
I purchased the Celtic star "octave mandolin" second hand but found the neck somewhat short, so I use it as a mandola, it's OK it was < $400, but for an octave in that price range I would either go trinity college or Johnson ( if they even make those anymore)
the action is not the best, it has an internal pickup, but the tone is loud and bright, they are flat tops with a strangely curved back
not sure if the model you are looking it is the same as mine but the label says - designed in Germany, made in Romania.
Again a decent instrument for the price, but not optimal for octave mandolin.
Allen- on Nov. 27, 2013 you posted "Hora instruments can be found labeled Celtic Star, Ozark, Troubadour, etc.".
Don
2016 Weber Custom Bitterroot F
2011 Weber Bitterroot A
1974 Martin Style A
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
I just got a quick and warm response from Jens-Peter Loof at Celtic Star. Up to 2010, the instruments were made by Hora. Since then, with complete redesigns by the owner, they are built in Korea. Jens-Peter builds the prototypes as well.
I told him we were having this conversation about his instruments and he sends his regards.
Steve
This is an interesting thread on Celtic Star, Hora, opinions, etc. and I'd like to add a comment on the Hora OM/Bouzouki. I recently bought a Hora to add to my arsenal of guitars, Weber Mandola and custom Beard 19" OM and Pono ukulele . I find the Hora to have a bright, pretty loud voice that I enjoy hearing. When I got it, I decided to make a project of it to see how it would turn out with component upgrades; and I am pleased. I upgraded the machines to Grovers and added an Allen bronze tailpiece and still have only $303.00 in it. My reasoning is that it with the all solid woods, now having an adjustable truss rod and with the craftsmanship on Hora's stuff having improved over the last few years I was invited to experiment. So I thought it just might compare with TC's at less cost. IMHO, it does although it's not as pretty as TC'c, it does give the TC's a run on sound quality. I've considered that maybe I just got a really good one, which is possible, but I also reasoned that the price of any axe is determined by the cost of components as well as wood and lutherie time/cost. Romanian labor cost has to be fairly low which yields a low cost instrument so the Hora might just be a dark horse in the market. So, bottom line is for me a very pleasing project that improved sustain, overall sound and stays in tune longer and for only $303! Comments welcome!
Looking at the website I'd have to say they certainly look a cut above my Trinity College. They have a zero fret and plenty of other cool features and attention to detail that I wouldn't expect at that price point, and include a hard case. Wish there were sound samples though.
"But wasn't it all stupid nonsense, rot, gibberish, and criminally fraudulent nincompoopery?"
- Neal Stephenson, Quicksilver
IMHO, buy a used Trinity College. In the long run, you will be ahead of the game. There is no comparison, especially if you want to sell it later.
Guys as i said ages ago, its already sold
Ok
Last edited by luthierseye; Nov-08-2014 at 9:23am. Reason: started new thread as my post was off topic sorta
I would stay away from Celtic Star instruments; about 8 or 9 years ago I bought a CS "Irish" bouzouki and it was total garbage. The thing was very flimsy and the strings buzzed regardless of what tweaking I tried. Unless they have improved over the last decade, I would, as I said, stay away.
Definately save up more money for a quality instrument. I had a Red Valley octave mandolin and it was fantastic, ran me about $1,200. Made in USA. I hear Petersen instruments are good as well; there is one in the classifieds for $800.
Haha thanks Mike! I still need a short scale for melody playing, maybe a custom octave mandola haha!
=============================
Apollonio Acousto-electric bouzouki (in shop)
Mixter 10 string mandola (still waiting 2+ yrs)
Unknown brand Mandocaster (on the way!)
=============================
"Doubt begins only at the last frontiers of what is possible." -- Ambrose Bierce
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