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Thread: Cumbus Mandolin

  1. #1

    Default Cumbus Mandolin

    The label inside appears to be from Turkey but the instrument looks like it was made in East Germany in about 1960- the tuners are from that era and country. As for the 1800s date, that really is a bit off. Turkey adopted the Latin alphabet in 1929- and the label is printed using it!

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/CUMBUS-MAND...dae0%7Ciid%3A1

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  3. #2
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    Default Re: Cumbus Mandolin

    Turkey seems to be right, similar to this one (headstock, etc.) :
    https://www.gittigidiyor.com/muzik-p..._pdp_592368881

    700 Turkish Lira would be 80-90 eurodollar

    But very interesting, would like to hear how it sounds.
    Eastman MD-315, Eastman MDO-305, Kentucky KM-150, Calace 1917, Gibson A ~ 1920, Johnson resonator mando

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  5. #3

    Default Re: Cumbus Mandolin

    Yes, it's possible that the one on eBay has metalware that was bought from an East German firm. We can't see the tuners on the second one. Certainly, the headstock is the same shape.

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  7. #4
    Registered User DavidKOS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cumbus Mandolin

    Definitely an older Cumbus mandolin...it looks a bit better than the later plywood top models without the binding.

  8. #5
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cumbus Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Cando View Post
    ..would like to hear how it sounds.
    Maybe something like this one:






    Later: Sorry, shoulda checked out the link first; what I found is one of the "banjo" cumbuses, which is what I think of when I see the term used.

    Anyway, only wasted 33 seconds of everyone's time...
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    Default Re: Cumbus Mandolin

    So, I bit the bullet and now have a used Cümbüş mandolin on the way to me.
    Let's see if it's worth the 30 bucks.
    I am no expert on woods, looks like the top is solid (though of poor wood quality)??

    I will report
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    Eastman MD-315, Eastman MDO-305, Kentucky KM-150, Calace 1917, Gibson A ~ 1920, Johnson resonator mando

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  12. #7
    Registered User DavidKOS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cumbus Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by allenhopkins View Post
    Maybe something like this one:






    Later: Sorry, shoulda checked out the link first; what I found is one of the "banjo" cumbuses, which is what I think of when I see the term used.

    Anyway, only wasted 33 seconds of everyone's time...
    Those are fairly common and can sound pretty good when set up. Plus the action is adjustable with a single neck bolt.

  13. #8
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cumbus Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Cando View Post
    So, I bit the bullet and now have a used Cümbüş mandolin on the way to me.
    Let's see if it's worth the 30 bucks.
    I am no expert on woods, looks like the top is solid (though of poor wood quality)??

    I will report
    So would this be an "impulsive" or a "compulsive" purchase?

  14. #9
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cumbus Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Cando View Post
    So, I bit the bullet and now have a used Cümbüş mandolin on the way to me.
    Let's see if it's worth the 30 bucks.
    I am no expert on woods, looks like the top is solid (though of poor wood quality)??

    I will report
    Enlighten me, what makes this a Cumbus?

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%BCmb%C3%BC%C5%9F
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
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    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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  16. #10
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    Default Re: Cumbus Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Sue Rieter View Post
    So would this be an "impulsive" or a "compulsive" purchase?
    Yeah, you can say that. I was not actually planning on getting one.
    I assume you know how it works

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    Enlighten me, what makes this a Cumbus?

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%BCmb%C3%BC%C5%9F
    Well the company is called Cümbüş ( https://zeynelabidincumbus.com.tr ) but you're right the instrument is not a Cümbüş in the stricter sense (aka the banjo-like instrument).

    There are also the specs on the web site (pretty much the same model)
    Top: (Milled?) Pine
    Back & sides: Poplar
    Finger board: Massive lime
    Bridge: Hornbeam
    Eastman MD-315, Eastman MDO-305, Kentucky KM-150, Calace 1917, Gibson A ~ 1920, Johnson resonator mando

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  18. #11
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cumbus Mandolin

    OK, I thought I was missing something. Carry on.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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