Re: Celtic Mandolin Builders
Hi,
Joe Foley in Ireland seems to have had a good reputation for a long time.
Regards,
Re: Celtic Mandolin Builders
Daniel Brauchli in Tasmania does a lovely job.
Re: Celtic Mandolin Builders
Re: Celtic Mandolin Builders
Paul Shippey in England, superb mandolins,
Dave H
Re: Celtic Mandolin Builders
You mentioned Nigel Forster who I think learned his trade under Sobell but not 100% sure.
This Celtic model from Nigel sure sounds nice:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lg_StJ...ture=emb_title
Re: Celtic Mandolin Builders
Keep us posted on your search and especially if you buy something. I've been thinking about getting something along these lines too.
Re: Celtic Mandolin Builders
Jimmy Moon and Tom Buchanan are two more from the UK.
If you’re looking at Fylde, bear in mind that Roger “Barry” Bucknall still insists on putting a fret marker on the ninth rather than the tenth fret - drives me mad!
Re: Celtic Mandolin Builders
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jim Roberts
Nigel worked for Stefan for over a decade.
Re: Celtic Mandolin Builders
There is an excellent luthier who lives near me in Manchester called David Lim. He used to work for Oakwood instruments in the late 80's and has made a load of flat top mandolins, more recently he has started making Gibson A1 style mandos (I've just ordered one). He is also a very good uilleann piper and maker. There is a picture of him and 2 gibson style mandos on his website https://davidlim-uilleannpipes.com/lutherie/
Re: Celtic Mandolin Builders
Great info so far everyone! Have always liked the Fylde Single Malt but yes, that dot on the 9th fret is maddening. Some pretty healthy prices and wait times on others. Good for those builders!! Any other North American builders of this style? Clearly there are plenty go builders making excellent carved top oval holes.
Re: Celtic Mandolin Builders
Quite a lot of the names mentioned here cropped up in a similar thread about Irish bouzoukis last year.
https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...ouzouki+makers
Re: Celtic Mandolin Builders
Did ye see this one? NFI on my part obviously - would love to have the $$ for this though!
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/156847#156847
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Re: Celtic Mandolin Builders
Be careful with the Sobells. I’ve owned a few, and they all needed some sort of work, and not minor stuff. Non-working truss rods, splits between the fretboard and top at the neck joint, etc. I’ve got to say, the best Irish style mandolin I’ve owned is this
Attachment 186921
Shaun, you just missed a nice Trillium at TME, and at a great price.
Re: Celtic Mandolin Builders
You would post a pic of that Campanella.....:)) I did see the Trillium. I'm kinda done with long scale mando family instruments, especially after getting the banjo. It's just so much easier to play. I briefly thought about maybe trying DAEB on it but when I went to look at it again, it was gone.
I've always liked the tone of Sobells but just haven't wanted to pay the price. I've also heard about issues as Mary describes. So it would have to be the right one from the right source. Also really like the Springwell and Forsters. Mostly trying to learn about this segment of mandolin builder since it's one I haven't dabbled in much. I don't do well with ordering an instrument and waiting years for it. Just want to be educated so I know what I'm looking at when stuff pops up on the used market.
Re: Celtic Mandolin Builders
I bought a used Red Valley about six months ago. Even though the sound sample I heard before buying sounded good, I must confess that the looks of it really captured my interest. When I got it, it not only looked as good as advertised, it sounded better than I expected. Way better.
Here is the actual mandolin I bought: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHtY...ature=emb_logo
And here is another RV : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTbxvxV3ybo
Re: Celtic Mandolin Builders
Re: Celtic Mandolin Builders
Can’t get that link to open Sean
Re: Celtic Mandolin Builders
Hmm... Working here. It's a link to Macdara's FB page and a video of a new mandolin just strung up and on its way to Custys in Ennis.
I think if you click on his FB page link you should find it. First video. I've not had a chance to try his Mandolins yet but looking forward to getting the chance.
https://www.facebook.com/mofluthier/?ti=as
Re: Celtic Mandolin Builders
Thanks, That link worked. Very nice sounding mandolin.
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Re: Celtic Mandolin Builders
I highly recommend Macdara Ó Faoláin located in County Waterford. He built a beautiful mandolin for me that sounds amazing.
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Re: Celtic Mandolin Builders
Quote:
Originally Posted by
sgarrity
Great info so far everyone! Have always liked the Fylde Single Malt but yes, that dot on the 9th fret is maddening. Some pretty healthy prices and wait times on others. Good for those builders!! Any other North American builders of this style? Clearly there are plenty go builders making excellent carved top oval holes.
Fylde have a couple of mandolins for sale on their latest newsletter - https://www.fyldeguitars.com/news.html - and a video on shaping a mandolin neck, which I’ve yet to watch.
Re: Celtic Mandolin Builders
Not sure if this link will work. Ye vags with one of Frank's mandos.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CCbNPH-...d=ityj11nu8bya
Re: Celtic Mandolin Builders
Those guys are excellent Sean! How about Cas Davey mandolins?
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Re: Celtic Mandolin Builders
I've never tried or come across Cas Davey mandolins, so can't comment.
There's also Dave Shapiro:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCNLLUiDJD8
Brian Lofthouse:
https://brianwplofthouse.wordpress.com/
Although not exclusively 'celtic mandolin maker', Phil Davidson makes beautiful flat top mandolins. His carved mandolins are amazing as well.
https://www.davidsoninstruments.com/...ke-a-davidson/
I'm with mandolbar - lots of great carved mandolins being made in the states that are perfect for playing 'celtic' music. These are my two favs at the moment:
Attachment 187280
According to Google photo memories, I arrived home from states with the Girouard 2 years ago this week. Played it almost everyday; it's a beast. Currently have it in C - tuned FCGD. 11.5's on the 1st string and wound 16s on the second. So much fun to play and sounds great with fiddle for trad tunes.
However, if there's one instrument that has my MAS flaring up it's the latest carved mandolins by Frank Tate. He recently completed a commission and it just looks so so good.
Attachment 187281Attachment 187282
Probably won't go for blue ;) , but the back on it is just something else. And they're a joy to play. If you go onto Frank's FB page there's a clip of him and Brían from Ye Vagabonds playing it and the prototype to it. And if you fancy some aural torture, you can scroll thru the videos and there's one of my trying the prototype.
https://www.facebook.com/franktateinstruments/