Coombe Mandolins

[pheffernan]

I'm zeroing in on a Coombe A5 that has popped up used. I've searched through the archives quite a bit and have even reached out to the luthier personally. Now I'm wondering if there are any other Cafe members who would be willing to share their experiences with these instruments.

Thanks,
Pat

[Ben Milne]

I played a few of Peter's mandos he had on display at Port Fairy earlier this year. Each had slight variances effecting feel and tone:, timber, neck length, aperture style etc.

They were all built with impeccable craftsmanship, are lovely instruments to play and sound great. Highly recommend the A5

[pheffernan]

Highly recommend the A5

Thanks for the recommendation, Ben. I first remember reading about Peter's mandolins in a thread that I started on alternatives to the Collings MT. I'm anxious to get my hands on this one.

[Ben Milne]

Pretty sure the A5 I tinkered on was Peters's personal one...

[pheffernan]

The a5 I'm expecting was at one time Peter's personal one as well...

[sgrexa]

Top tier instruments and of the two I owned in the past I have deep regrets about parting with them. I was recently fortunate to acquire a 2005 A5 myrtle / red spruce example. I will not make that mistake again. Keep in mind Peter is forced to charge nearly $900 just in transport costs due to the USF&W having unreasonable restrictions. Best!

Sean

[mrmando]

Guitar Center has a Coombe A5 listed at the Hallandale, Florida store:
http://used.guitarcenter.com/usedgea...rch&q=mandolin

[Givson]

Guitar Center has a Coombe A5 listed at the Hallandale, Florida store:
http://used.guitarcenter.com/usedgea...rch&q=mandolin

[pheffernan]

That's the one! I really like the mandolins I have, but I'm interested in hearing others, especially the ones that I read about here. Unfortunately, I live in a low mandolin environment with nary a Fiddler's Green or Elderly in sight. So, I've been sampling some of the instruments on Guitar Center's website. In the case of the Coombe, I thought it was an aesthetically beautiful mandolin that appealed to me because it was made by a single builder with a different tonewood (walnut) that produces a darker, richer sound than the instruments I own. Ultimately, I liked the instrument quite a bit, just not more than my Collings MT, so in this one A5 household, I made the executive decision to return it. The upside of that choice is that it will give me the opportunity to test out a Rigel R-100 next!

[mrmando]

Well, it seems to be gone again.

[sgrexa]

That sure looks like the Coombe A5 I owned years ago. All of Peter's instruments are incredible and this one is surely no exception. Certainly not something you see at a Guitar Center everyday!?

Sean

[pheffernan]

I was going to suggest it to Journeybear as a possible stand-in or replacement for his damaged instrument.

[pheffernan]

Well, it seems to be gone again.

It's still listed on the website as of a moment ago.

[Potosimando]

I have owned three Coombe mandolins, a standard oval-hole, an A5, and a Goldfinch. All three are outstanding instruments, especially so the Goldfinch in its tone and exquisite native woods.

The link mentioned above is on a different page from where Martin's link take you (I think it is on page 1 or 2 of the website; Martin's link takes you to page 4 or something). Look for it; you will find it.

[Jim Garber]

Got to this link and put Coombe as a keyword. That mandolin is still there. If anyone is interested, I would send a contact email using the form.

I think the GC site has gotten stupider. I wanted to send a link to a specific instrument to a friend and I can't figure out how to do that.

[mrmando]

I think the GC site has gotten stupider. I wanted to send a link to a specific instrument to a friend and I can't figure out how to do that.

Agreed. It appears that instruments no longer have dedicated URLs.