Re: European Mandolin Builders
Originally Posted by
Mshusn
...Is there a "European" The Gibson? A German competitor to Kentucky?...
Not really. The German manufacturers Framus and Hofner produce(d) mandolins, as did Levin in Sweden, with varying degrees of success and acceptance. You'll find mandolins with the Hohner label, but they're Asian-made. There are some fine mandolin builders in the Czech Republic, such as Lebeda, Capek, Kristufek (Krishot Mandolins), Holubek, Prucha, and Furch (Stonebridge Mandolins). Not a "Gibson," smaller shops, but very well-respected.
There are a variety of small-shop luthiers in the British Isles, with Stefan Sobell being one of the best-known. Fylde, Oakwood, and Moon also make mandolin-family instruments. No "semi-mass production" of which I'm aware. Joe Foley in Dublin has a great rep for large-mandolin and bouzouki building.
As for student instruments, if you go to Romania you'll find Hora, which produces a variety of mandolins, mandolas, octaves, and bouzoukis. I believe these have been sold in the UK under the Troubador name. These instruments are not of the carved-top, F-model, "standard American mandolin" type, but run to the "Celtic" styles -- flat or canted tops, oval rather than f-holes, etc.
There are, of course, long-established and respected Italian mandolin builders, who specialize almost exclusively in the bowl-back styles.
As with the US, European manufacturers have been led by lower labor costs, to outsource much of their work to Asia. You'll find Gibson-clone F-5 style mandolins sold under the Hofner and Hohner labels, but they're Chinese-made.
Also, mandolin-like instruments such as the bandurria and laud are still being built in Spain and Portugal.
I'm not aware of any French mandolin builders at present, though I've seen "one-ofs" from French luthiers.
As in most of the world, the low-to-mid-range mandolin market in Europe is dominated by Asian imports. Indigenous mandolin production focuses at the higher end, with the exception of the Hora line of Celtic-influenced models. At least this is what I've gleaned from looking at what seems to be sold, played and discussed on the Cafe and among those I know.
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
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