Budget "Bandolim"

[Levi]

I have taken an interest in Brazilian mandolin (Bandolim) music. Is there a good bandolim I could get for under $300? Since they're flat back with a round sound hole, would I just be better off getting the Stewmac "Campfire" Army/Navy style kit?

[SincereCorgi]

I don't know about under $300, but Giannini does a mass-produced low end bandolim for close to that. Example, no financial interest on my part:

http://www.amazon.com/Giannini-GBSM3...d_sim_sbs_MI_3

They say it has a solid top, so that's something. As to whether it would be better player than a Stew-Mac kit, I dunno, but it would probably get you closer to the bandolim sound.

[Levi]

Hmm... I'm thinking the Stewmac, because then I'd have a mandolin for a lot of purposes.

[Jim Garber]

You can play whatever mandolin you want for Brazilian music. I generally think if you call it a bandolim you are looking for this style wide body and flat top. If you are looking for an all-around mandolin in that price range look for the multiple threads on that subject.

The Giannini 3 I believe are solid top and laminated sides but sound pretty decent for the price. I thought they had a less expensive model but maybe notor not for export

[Jacob]

Rozini has models starting at 500 Brazilian Real which is $250 US at current exchange. No idea on shipping charges, etc.

My Giannini 3 (above) sounds much better than I had anticipated at that price point. It does have a solid top with laminated back & sides. The body is about twice as deep as an Army-Navy model like the StewMac. It has a much fuller sound with greater sustain than the Flatirons I have played. It would not be my first choice for Bluegrass chopping, but fiddle tunes sound nice on it.

[Randi Gormley]

My Giannini 3 is a pretty sounding instrument and has a nice resonance and a delicate sound; my older Giannini 1, which I picked up for $85 off a CL ad, is louder and my current favorite visiting mandolin for ITM when I'm not using my ordinary gig instrument. My bandolims appear to be different instruments from other flat-tops because of the deeper body and more resonant tone. I'd see if you could pick up one of the gianinnis -- my 2 cents, of course, and worth every penny (!). The 3 is my avatar.

[Levi]

Where exactly do I look for these instruments?

[SincereCorgi]

Where exactly do I look for these instruments?

You'll probably have to buy online (as big a hassle as that can be) because there just aren't a lot of these around in the states. They only show up very rarely as consignments in shops. You might try a WTB ad in the classifieds here.

[Jim Garber]

Where exactly do I look for these instruments?

The link in my post above is to Amazon, prob a decent price for that Style 3. They are also sold here but the same price as Amazon.

[Levi]

Thanks a lot guys

[Randi Gormley]

fwiw, i got mine from a music store (in Eastchester, NY) that also carried (or carries) Giannini guitars. He had one in the store on spec. You might be able to order one locally to you if you find a store that carries the guitars.

[Jacob]

Here is the list of retailers from Etros Music, the U.S. Giannini distributor.