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Thread: Quality used mandos in Western Australia?

  1. #1

    Default Quality used mandos in Western Australia?

    Hi All,

    The back story is this:
    Around 8 months after buying my 1980's Japanese Kentucky KM650, I'm starting to develop a little MAS and I'm back to scrolling through the Cafe classifieds again...

    However, for the next step up, I'd really like to be able to play before I buy this time (not that I'm unhappy with the Kentucky, just that I'd like to hear what different mandos sound like).

    Does anyone know of anywhere/anyone that has good quality (ie. Flatiron, Gibson, Morris, Kentucky (KM900, 1000 etc)) mandos in Perth, Western Australia? Preferably used?
    The local classifieds never have anything decent.
    If it helps, I'd probably be looking for an A5 style.

    I realise that there are a few big name builders around WA (Paul Duff springs to mind), but I'm not looking for anything quite that serious just yet.

    Thanks in advance!

  2. #2
    Registered User dcoventry's Avatar
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    Default Re: Quality used mandos in Western Australia?

    "I realise that there are a few big name builders around WA (Paul Duff springs to mind), but I'm not looking for anything quite that serious just yet."

    Yes, you are. You're ready. Just go for it. Thank me later.
    2005 Rigel G5 #2196
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    2012 Eastman 905 Archtop Guitar, BLOND!

    Remember to grin while you pick, it throws folks off!

  3. #3

    Default Re: Quality used mandos in Western Australia?

    Haha... Thanks for the vote of confidence, but it's not so much a question of being ready to commit to a big name builder as having the funds to do it...seems a fairly common problem round these parts...

  4. #4
    Registered User dcoventry's Avatar
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    Default Re: Quality used mandos in Western Australia?

    Ramen noodles...no insurance....no house payment...no kids.............no clothes...no bathing...

    MANDOS!! Glorious MANDOS!!
    Last edited by dcoventry; Jul-01-2011 at 1:19am. Reason: needed more crazy
    2005 Rigel G5 #2196
    2005 Phoenix Jazz #400
    1988 Jeff Traugott Acoustic #4
    2012 Eastman 905 Archtop Guitar, BLOND!

    Remember to grin while you pick, it throws folks off!

  5. #5
    Mandolin & Mandola maker
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    Default Re: Quality used mandos in Western Australia?

    Finding good quality mandolins without going to one of the specialist makers in Australia is really difficult. The second hand market and the music shops usually only have the usual imported rubbish, but some shops do have Eastman mandolins so that is one possibility you might consider. That is one reason why I started making mandolins around 18 years ago. I had to import a Gibson from the USA to get something decent for myself then. Confining yourself to Perth makes it even more difficult. You do have Paul Duff and Scott Wise in WA, but it depends on how much you have to spend. Also is doubtful if they would have an A5 available to try, Scott didn't have anything at the National Folk Festival at Easter, but you can always ask. I do have one A5 available now (it is on my web site), but I am not in Perth, but the cost of postage from NSW is a heck of a lot less than from the USA. You can always return for the cost of postage if you don't like it. Other makers I know in the eastern states who could make you an A5 are Ray Black (Victoria), Lawrence Smith (NSW), Graham McDonald (ACT), Rob Grant (Queensland), and of course if you ever want the finest on the planet Steve Gilchrist (Victoria). Good luck.
    Peter Coombe - mandolins, mandolas and guitars
    http://www.petercoombe.com

  6. #6

    Default Re: Quality used mandos in Western Australia?

    Thanks for the advice Peter, I did see that beautiful A5 on your website. Unfortunately, it's a bit beyond what I'm able to spend at the moment, or I would be having serious thoughts about snapping it up!

    I think I'll start trying to get in with some of the players over here in Perth (join the WA Mando Orchestra etc) and maybe I'll be able to hear what they're playing and see whether they have any mandos that they don't really play anymore and are looking to get rid of.

  7. #7
    Registered User mtucker's Avatar
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    Default Re: Quality used mandos in Western Australia?

    Quote Originally Posted by jazzman13 View Post
    Hi All,


    Does anyone know of anywhere/anyone that has good quality (ie. Flatiron, Gibson, Morris, Kentucky (KM900, 1000 etc)) mandos in Perth, Western Australia? Preferably used?

    Thanks in advance!
    I popped into Zenith Music a few years ago... they've been there forever...you might give them a ring and see what's in stock. Not a huge selection, as I recall, but some.

  8. #8
    Mandolin & Mandola maker
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    Default Re: Quality used mandos in Western Australia?

    Joining the Perth mando orchestra is an excellent idea. You will get to see a variety of instruments, and your mandolin playing skills will be challenged and with a bit of time that will improve your skill level. I played in a mando orchestra for around 5 years and went to parts of the fingerboard I had never been before.
    Peter Coombe - mandolins, mandolas and guitars
    http://www.petercoombe.com

  9. #9
    Registered User Mando-Mauler's Avatar
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    Default Re: Quality used mandos in Western Australia?

    1979-the old 1914 F2 wasn't cutting it over the 1930's Mastertone beside me, so I went looking for a banjo killer. A young feller named Gilchrist down Warrnambool way was beginning to knock out something good, and it was home grown. I got in touch with Steve & requested an F5 model, which I couldn't afford. Had to let go of my beautiful old J45 to pay for it, which was like selling a child into slavery. Steve hand delivered No.7967, his 16th F5. The final amount was minuscule compared with current prices, but was a big whack for me at the time. No-one even had the faintest idea then how good these superb instruments would be. So...hang the expense-GO FOR IT. Aussie mandos are great. Coombe, Liddy, Duff, Gilchrist; the list goes on. Over-commit Jazzman 13...get the very best you can and thank all those who so advise later.

  10. #10

    Default Re: Quality used mandos in Western Australia?

    Thanks for the advice Mando-Mauler... I think I'm resigned for the moment to playing what I have for a few extra months and saving the funds together for something that's hopefully going to make me happy for a good while. In the meantime, I may well get in contact with Paul Duff and Scott Wise to see whether they have anything that I might be able to play and get an idea of what quality sounds like (which is exactly the problem for me in WA - there is nothing for me to even compare mine to unless I go to a builder).

    Congrats on picking up a Gilchrist before he got big by the way - that's just the sort of break I need!

    By the way (hope this doesn't sound too stalkerish...) I noticed you live in Cheltenham - I have an uncle who lives there! Small world...

    Do you play in any bands I can check out?
    Cheers

  11. #11

    Default Re: Quality used mandos in Western Australia?

    In fact, just to add to the previous post....
    Although getting a mando built for me by a builder would be amazing, I also really like the idea of getting a used mando - between 10 and 20 years old that has had a chance to open up and settle etc.
    And yes, I realise it would be great fun to get a new instrument and listen to it develop and mature.

    Buying used also drops the price significantly a lot of the time! Another bonus.

  12. #12
    Registered User Mando-Mauler's Avatar
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    Default Re: Quality used mandos in Western Australia?

    G'day jazzman13...If you're dinkum about a used A model, have a look at post WW2 Gibson A50's. For what they are, I think they're sleepers and really cheap. You'll probably have to import one. Also,check out a 2nd hand Weber A model...lovely hand-built instruments at affordable prices...also sleepers. I reckon that sooner or later people are gonna wake up to how good they are and then... watch prices blow out of sight.
    Re current bands etc; I played for 13 or 14 years with the seminal Dr. Fosters in the '70's and '80's, then went Country. Recently with "Over The Hillbillys" until the teutonic banjo man spat the dummy, which left mandolin (me), guitar, fiddle & bass.The new sound sans banjo is more mellow & laid back, sorta like a Larry Sparkes thing. Just about ready to gig again - will let you know.
    PS-don't know your uncle.

  13. #13

    Default Re: Quality used mandos in Western Australia?

    Yeah, I'm pretty set on something used, I think.
    The only problem with that is that I'd have to import unheard and unplayed (which I suppose is the crux of my problem)
    To be honest, I haven't given Gibson much of a thought (I was always of the opinion that the great Gibsons are great, but most of the instruments they produce/d were and are a little overpriced.
    Not too sure about the Webers either - seems like they put out a huge amount of mandos for a 'small builder.'

    There have been some real nice used instruments for a good price on the classifieds recently (I guess there always are though!). Here are some that I was drooling over - all in around about the price range I'm considering:

    Ratliff -
    http://www.mandolincafe.com/cgi-bin/...uery=retrieval

    http://www.mandolincafe.com/cgi-bin/...uery=retrieval

    Flatiron

    http://www.mandolincafe.com/cgi-bin/...uery=retrieval

    http://www.mandolincafe.com/cgi-bin/...uery=retrieval

    http://www.mandolincafe.com/cgi-bin/...uery=retrieval

    Morris
    http://www.mandolincafe.com/cgi-bin/...uery=retrieval

    Anyway, not looking for this to turn into an "advise me on which mando to choose", but rather just to indicate the type of thing I'm looking at in the hope that perhaps someone knows how to go about finding these sorts of instruments in WA.

  14. #14
    Mandolin & Mandola maker
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    Default Re: Quality used mandos in Western Australia?

    If you are thinking of importing, don't forget the transport costs which are bordering on the ridiculous. Also if you pay more than $1000 AUD you will be charged GST by Australian Customs.
    Peter Coombe - mandolins, mandolas and guitars
    http://www.petercoombe.com

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