Ava Mandolin carbon fiber bowlback

[midwinterspring]

I see this company has a builder page here, but I haven't seen any threads about their actual mandolin. I must say it's quite fetching. First time I've ever found a carbon fiber instrument aesthetically appealing. Has anyone here ever played one of these?

There's a video on their FB page here. It would be nice if they had a video of a solo piece, though, to get a better sense of the sound. If you know anything about it, please share.

[JeffD]

There is a video on the FB page.

[midwinterspring]

A solo one? I didn't see that.

[JeffD]

A solo one? I didn't see that.

Well the one I saw he is playing with others, but you can hear the distinct voice of the mandolin.

[Mandolin Cafe]

They showed up in our builder database about a year ago I believe. Interesting for sure, beautifully crafted.

[DavidKOS]

http://avastrings.com/

website

[Ava Strings]

Hi.

I'm Ricardo from Ava Strings.
We will make some new videos of the carbon fiber mandolin.
If you have any questions please ask me.
Unfortunately, we're still looking for dealers and local shops all over the world.
But if any of you ever come to Porto, Portugal, we'd be very pleased to show you Ava's mandolin and our facilities.

[JEStanek]

Welcome and thanks for posting.

Jamie

[Graham McDonald]

I visited their office/factory just on a year ago and the mandolin I played was great. It is a good quality bowlback mandolin with some very ingenious manufacturing techniques. I suspect there is not much of a market for the mandolins in the US, but there is also a very elegant electric guitar model and a violin for which there could well be some wider interest. Here is a pic of the four partners with the mandolin and the violin and Ricardo (I think) with the guitar.

Cheers

[Ava Strings]

Hi Graham,

Thanks for your reply.

(It's not Ricardo on the second photo. It's João)

Best regards
Ricardo

[Jim Garber]

Price for the mandolin is €2,105.00 (currently ~$2482 USD). Very cool looking. Good luck on that mandolin. Any plans for a flatback or other variations?

[Charlieshafer]

The violin, priced about the same, is a relative steal compared to other carbon violins. I'd love to play one, at that price they'd do very well here.

[Ava Strings]

Price for the mandolin is €2,105.00 (currently ~$2482 USD). Very cool looking. Good luck on that mandolin. Any plans for a flatback or other variations?

Hi Jim.

That's not in our plans in a short or medium term.

Best regards
Ricardo
https://www.facebook.com/ricardo.mez...?ref=bookmarks

[Ava Strings]

The violin, priced about the same, is a relative steal compared to other carbon violins. I'd love to play one, at that price they'd do very well here.

Hello Charlie,

As it happens on wood violins, prices in carbon violin do change according to the quality of the instruments.
You can buy wood violins for 20 Euro and for 2.000.000 Euro. And still both are made of wood.
With carbon fiber it's about the same.

Best regards
Ricardo
https://www.facebook.com/ricardo.mez...?ref=bookmarks

[Charlieshafer]

Hello Charlie,

As it happens on wood violins, prices in carbon violin do change according to the quality of the instruments.
You can buy wood violins for 20 Euro and for 2.000.000 Euro. And still both are made of wood.
With carbon fiber it's about the same.

Best regards
Ricardo
https://www.facebook.com/ricardo.mez...?ref=bookmarks

Right. Is there a place in the US yet where you can try a violin? I know you're searching for mandolin distributors. Same with the violin?

[Ava Strings]

Right. Is there a place in the US yet where you can try a violin? I know you're searching for mandolin distributors. Same with the violin?

Not at this moment.
But if you know someone interested please give me a call.
You can see some photos and videos of AVA's violin on our facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/avastrings/

Best regards
Ricardo
WhatsApp: +351961773207

[Paul Kotapish]

Look promising. I'm not interested in a bowlback, but would be keen an an equivalently priced A or F model.

[Charlieshafer]

Not at this moment.
But if you know someone interested please give me a call.
You can see some photos and videos of AVA's violin on our facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/avastrings/

Best regards
Ricardo
WhatsApp: +351961773207

I will send you a personal message through the cafe, then we can email.

[Ava Strings]

I will send you a personal message through the cafe, then we can email.

ricardotsou@avainstruments.com

[mandroid]

Just looking at the open space within the headstock, allowed by the strength of the CF, (#5)
looks like string changing , is simpler,

Than a typical slotted head with a tuner supported on both ends of its capstan..