Jacob Reuven and Kermans!

[JH Murray]

Jacob just posted this yesterday to promote concerts in Jerusalem and Venice. Lots of Kerman mandolins in the clips. I wonder if an album is in the works?

[Jim Garber]

I wonder if it is legal in Israel for any mandolin player to play anything but a Kerman. I don't think the bass is a Kerman, though.

[bratsche]

And I was wondering if it's legal for any non-resident of Israel to play a Kerman,

bratsche

[August Watters]

FYI, Yaki is bringing a student quartet to perform in Keene, New Hampshire -- July 29, Sunday. I'm guessing they'll have some Kermans (Kermen?) with them.

[Jim Garber]

August: have you ever played one of those? I am curious what you think of them.

[DavidKOS]

Indeed, there is not enough information about the Kerman mandolin design; any new data would be appreciated.

[JH Murray]

I have sometimes wondered if a Big Muddy or equivalent flat top could be custom built with a second sound board/Virzi to create a similar tone as the Kerman?

[dorenac]

I have a friend who just donated his Kerman back to Jacob Rueven about 2 weeks ago on visit to New Hampshire. This friend living in Virginia went to Israel years ago to meet, visit, and purchase directly from Arik Kerman. I have played it, was offered to buy it, and I must say it is a wonderful instrument. Back to my friend, he knew Jacob would be in the state and met with him to donate it back to Jacob's conservatory in Israel for a deserving student who might not otherwise have access to a fine instrument.

[August Watters]

August: have you ever played one of those? I am curious what you think of them.

Yes, I played a few of them several years ago while visiting Israel. Very impressive -- powerful and sensitive. And better balanced than any of my instruments! But it didn't make me want to switch; I'm firmly in the Italian-American tradition, with those dramatic, shimmering highs. Nothing does it for me like the modern Italian bowlback.

[mrmando]

I have a friend here in the U.S. who tried to order a mandolin from Arik and was rebuffed ...

[August Watters]

I have a friend here in the U.S. who tried to order a mandolin from Arik and was rebuffed ...

I recently heard from a reliable source that Arik just had his 80th birthday -- so he may be slowing down! But also that Arik has been training builders within his family, so maybe the next generation of Kermans will be able to make their instruments more widely available. We can hope!

[DavidKOS]

Yes, I played a few of them several years ago while visiting Israel. Very impressive -- powerful and sensitive. And better balanced than any of my instruments! But it didn't make me want to switch; I'm firmly in the Italian-American tradition, with those dramatic, shimmering highs. Nothing does it for me like the modern Italian bowlback.

I'm really glad you said that and thus will save me a lot of MAS and money not trying to find a Kerman.