Kerman mandolins

[red7flag]

I am curious how the Kerman mandolins sound. If anyone could explain the functionality of the shape in a shape (for lack of a better description) I would be interested to hear it. They sure got my attention. Thanks in advance.

[DavidKOS]

I've been trying to get more info on these mandolins too. Any help would be appreciated.

[billhay4]

Listen to Avi Avital (http://www.aviavital.com/) play his. He also talks about it a bit in various interviews. That is probably as close as you'll get to any substantial information.
The builder is not know for his accessibility but he does have a website (http://kermanmandolin.com/) with an email address.
Bill

[red7flag]

A sound clip would be awesome, also.

[red7flag]

Here is a link to youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/aviavital
To my untrained ear, sounds like some bowlbacks that I have heard, but that take is from little or no experience.

[JeffD]

Kerman Quartet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aM7V70C9uys

[DavidKOS]

We still don't know much, the Kerman website is not very informative. You need to email for information.

I do know they have a inner resonator of some sort.

[Tom Wright]

This Kerman guitar (http://www.dreamguitars.com/new/kerman/kerman_metamorphosis2_37/kerman_metamorphosis_2_37.php) at Dream Guitars is a similar construction, seems to share some design features with Brian Dean's mandolins, with floating back. The additional design feature is extra port area. I suspected the idea was a large resonating volume with a smallish and responsive top. Here's from Dream Guitars:

"It incorporates a floating back with small, light braces and smaller internal upper bout area, imagine a guitar inside a guitar. This gives a focused and powerful sound with excellent projection. The carved upper bout edges act as additional sound hole area."

A picture of the internal "back"---

145387

[mandobassman]

What I know about Kerman mandolins are that they are built by a Israeli builder and are hugely popular in Israel. In fact I had read that the majority of his clients are Israeli. To the best of my knowledge, he is retired and not building anymore. They are wonderful sounding instruments. They use a internal floating soundboard, which I guess works similar to a larger version of a Virzi Tone Producer. I love the tone that Avi Avitel gets from his. Strong voice with tons of volume.

[DavidKOS]

To the best of my knowledge, he is retired and not building anymore. They are wonderful sounding instruments. .

That would be a shame. We still need more examples of Kerman's work in the USA.