View Full Version : Givson from india
billkilpatrick
Jul-12-2008, 9:38pm
idle curiosity - has anyone ever played one of these:
http://cgi.ebay.in/Givson-....8621511 (http://cgi.ebay.in/Givson-MANDOLIN-ROSE-WOOD-Export-Quality_W0QQitemZ250268621511)
i understand there's a tradition in india of copying - almost - existing brand names (alà "porker" pens) ... "givson" is not a typographical error.
Michael Gowell
Jul-12-2008, 10:00pm
Too funny - this "Rose Wood" mandolin has a body described as constructed of "Toon Plywood' - the only rosewood present is the fretboard.
Guess I'll stick with my two Gilsons... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
MikeEdgerton
Jul-13-2008, 6:27am
You may not find anyone that will admit to having played one. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blues.gif
Gutbucket
Jul-13-2008, 7:33am
Looks like a refrigerator magnet. Only the tone is probably worse.
Bernie Daniel
Jul-13-2008, 8:03am
Well let's look at the good side here!
3289 rupees is only $76.85.
I would advise odering a pickup load of them.
TomTyrrell
Jul-13-2008, 8:27am
Don't try to get a batch of those things through US customs. That "Givson" logo is too close to a Gibson Registered Trademark.
morristownmando
Jul-13-2008, 9:40am
If you can't afford the plywood model for 3,289 rupees I think they make a cheaper cardboard model called epifoam.
Jim Garber
Jul-13-2008, 9:53am
Givson Web site (http://www.givson.com/products5.htm)
From Internet chats it looks like Givson is a cheapo grade, not well-made and certainly not worth pursuing. There is another Indian brand of instrument called Tansen which is a subsidiary of Harmony. It looks like they get high grades for the quality of their electric guitars (at least). I don't know if they make mandolins.
Gene Bragg
Jul-13-2008, 10:26am
It's a Baligrass Sitar played by Krisna Monroe!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Givson
Jul-16-2008, 3:06pm
Just thought I'd check in on this discussion, as Givson is my nom de mouse.
Only a Givson is Good Enough
(accept no substitutes)
billkilpatrick
Jul-16-2008, 4:10pm
"mandolin" is one of the "tags" i have on youtube - here's what just showed up:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=oF5I3JXZf7w
... playing isn't bad but the instrument sounds awfully thin to me.