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Thread: Celtic/Irish Mandolins

  1. #26
    Unfamous String Buster Beanzy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Celtic/Irish Mandolins

    If you’re after that kind of thing it’s hard to beat the Oakwood ones in terms of bang for your buck in the UK. (Leeds)
    http://www.oakwoodinstruments.co.uk/...olins/mand.htm

    I’m playing one of their mandoloncellos in our orchestra. Basic finish, but good sound for the money
    http://www.oakwoodinstruments.co.uk/four/stock.htm

    You can give them a call & arrange to visit.
    Eoin



    "Forget that anyone is listening to you and always listen to yourself" - Fryderyk Chopin

  2. #27
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    Default Re: Celtic/Irish Mandolins

    Hathways have a natural finish too, there are a few satisfied customers on here. http://www.paulhathway.com/
    - Jeremy

    Wot no catchphrase?

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  4. #28
    Registered User Jill McAuley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Celtic/Irish Mandolins

    Got a chance to play a Girouard oval A this weekend and I was floored by the tone and playability - so much so that I'll be placing an order with Max & Lauri in the next week or so!
    2018 Girouard Concert oval A
    2015 JP "Whitechapel" tenor banjo
    2018 Frank Tate tenor guitar
    1969 Martin 00-18




    my Youtube channel

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  6. #29
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    Default Re: Celtic/Irish Mandolins

    Quote Originally Posted by Jill McAuley View Post
    Got a chance to play a Girouard oval A this weekend and I was floored by the tone and playability - so much so that I'll be placing an order with Max & Lauri in the next week or so!
    So is it bye-bye Collings?
    David A. Gordon

  7. #30
    Registered User Jill McAuley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Celtic/Irish Mandolins

    Gonna try to hang on to the Collings if possible, fingers crossed!
    2018 Girouard Concert oval A
    2015 JP "Whitechapel" tenor banjo
    2018 Frank Tate tenor guitar
    1969 Martin 00-18




    my Youtube channel

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  9. #31
    Eternal Beginner Seamus B's Avatar
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    Default Re: Celtic/Irish Mandolins

    Quote Originally Posted by Jill McAuley View Post
    Got a chance to play a Girouard oval A this weekend and I was floored by the tone and playability - so much so that I'll be placing an order with Max & Lauri in the next week or so!
    I would love to have a go on one a Girouard - lovely, lovely instruments. Did you play one of the 'fatter' bodied models?
    Eastman MD305 - set-up by Simon Mayor.

  10. #32
    Registered User Jill McAuley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Celtic/Irish Mandolins

    I think it was one of their standard A style body designs. The top was Port Orford Cedar, really gorgeous tone from it - very warm and full sounding but also very sweet sounding.
    2018 Girouard Concert oval A
    2015 JP "Whitechapel" tenor banjo
    2018 Frank Tate tenor guitar
    1969 Martin 00-18




    my Youtube channel

  11. #33
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    Default Re: Celtic/Irish Mandolins

    As you are UK-based Seamus, you should also look into Stefan Sobell (key originator of the modern 'celtic' mandolin and its offshoots). I know his instruments are hard to find and quite expensive but you might be lucky. Also Paul Shippey in Somerset makes some professional-grade mandos that have excellent quality and sound. My Shippey rosewood model (carved top, flat back) is my current favourite. Also not cheap but you could get a Shippey for a good deal less than the import price of some of those suggested above and it will not suffer by comparison.

    Kevin
    Anglocelt
    mainly Irish & Scottish but open to all dance-oriented melodic music.
    Mandos: Gibson A2, Janish A5, Krishot F5, Taran Springwell, Shippey, Weber Elite A5; TM and OM by Dave Gregory, J E Dallas, Tobin & Davidson.

  12. #34
    Eternal Beginner Seamus B's Avatar
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    Default Re: Celtic/Irish Mandolins

    Anglocelt - I would be all over a Sobell if I found one! Unfortunately, it does seem as if my tastes in mandolins do not match my income very well. I always said that the cost of mandolin should match my abilities. When I started to get better I bought an entry level Eastman and I have vowed not to go into four figures until I feel I am a much better all-round player. I think I am going to give it another year to prove it, and then I am definitely going to invest.

    Thanks for your recommendations - the surprise to me in this thread is the number of small independent luthiers making mandolins in the UK!
    Eastman MD305 - set-up by Simon Mayor.

  13. #35
    Mangler of Tunes OneChordTrick's Avatar
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    Default Re: Celtic/Irish Mandolins

    Seamus as a contrary view I found myself playing far more after I upgraded to an instrument that far exceeds my abilities. But, in the interests of balance, your Eastman is far better than what I started with.

  14. #36
    Eternal Beginner Seamus B's Avatar
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    Default Re: Celtic/Irish Mandolins

    I would agree with you - and I do think that at the point I bought my 305 I was not quite ready, and it has improved my playing massively. I got my Eastman for less than £300 so I got a great deal, and it made sense to jump on it even though I was still very bad.

    I have small goals for myself that have influenced my decision to wait before getting into the more expensive end of things - I want to learn the following, or at least get a great deal better:

    1) Playing and learning by ear
    2) At least be able to introduce some double-stops on more than one song
    3) Have a learned songbook of over 30 tunes
    4) Contributed to a session in a substantial way
    5) Learn Bach's Suit 1 Prelude!

    This is a bit of derailing subject for this thread, but I see friends and family decide they are going to learn the electric guitar and buy a 60s Fender Jaguar for £2,000 and my heart sinks as they only last a week or two before giving it up.
    Eastman MD305 - set-up by Simon Mayor.

  15. #37
    Registered User seankeegan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Celtic/Irish Mandolins

    Quote Originally Posted by Seamus B View Post
    I would love to have a go on one a Girouard - lovely, lovely instruments. Did you play one of the 'fatter' bodied models?
    They'll be one on the east coast of Ireland from about April onwards if you're ever around those parts...

  16. #38
    Mangler of Tunes OneChordTrick's Avatar
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    Default Re: Celtic/Irish Mandolins

    It's always easier to spend someone else's money and it sounds like you have a plan. Agree with you about people splurging thousands on something t hat will soon sit gathering dust. It's a case of finding the balance of something that will encourage you to learn on without breaking the bank.

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