Tried to Find a Bandurria

[Austin Bob]

Well, I'm in Manila right now, and went to a few local music stores looking to find a bandurria. I only found one, and it was pure junk.

Does anyone here play one? Do you find it to be a useful addition to a mandolin? I'm not real familiar with them, but they are popular on certain Philippine folk songs.

Just looking for input from the group if I should continue my search while I'm here or just give up on the idea.

[DavidKOS]

Keep looking, see if you can find a "rondalla" ensemble listed in the phone book or something - they play the bandurria and other similar stringed instruments.

However, even on the instruments I've seen, the build quality seems to lean more towards "traditional" and "folkloric" than to the current very high standards of modern mandolin making.

Was that instrument really junk in that it did not play easily and in tune, or was it just a low end bandurria?

Did you try these guys?

https://www.facebook.com/sainienterp...type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/sainienterprisesphilippines/

https://www.facebook.com/sainienterp...type=3&theater

Saini Enterprises

4087 Ramon Magsaysay Blvd. Sta Mesa
Manila,
+63 2 714 7370

Best of luck

[DavidKOS]

Also try:

http://jayars.tripod.com/index.html

The UPA&F Rondalla Homepage
was created on October 22, 1995
and is maintained by
J. Sonny Santos©1995
jayars3@hotmail.com
jayars@msn.com

Maybe they can help

[Austin Bob]

Keep looking, see if you can find a "rondalla" ensemble listed in the phone book or something - they play the bandurria and other similar stringed instruments.

However, even on the instruments I've seen, the build quality seems to lean more towards "traditional" and "folkloric" than to the current very high standards of modern mandolin making.

Was that instrument really junk in that it did not play easily and in tune, or was it just a low end bandurria?

Did you try these guys?

https://www.facebook.com/sainienterp...type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/sainienterprisesphilippines/

https://www.facebook.com/sainienterp...type=3&theater

Saini Enterprises

4087 Ramon Magsaysay Blvd. Sta Mesa
Manila,
+63 2 714 7370

Best of luck

Thanks, I'm not too far from there, I'll try to swing by. Monday is a holiday due to the election, and we're leaving for another island on Tuesday, so I may be out of time.

Bob

[enrique]

I play bandurria, it is popular in Spain, some countries in Latin America, and Phlilippine

[enrique]

there is a luthier in Los Angeles named German Vasquez. Tel. 1 323 934 0647

[NuclearWessell]

APC makes quality instruments for the price, and I believe they make a bandurria. Go to folkreps.com and check it out.

[jesserules]

The Philippine bandurria is different from the Spanish bandurria. (I'm sure most people know that, just thought it might be useful to some.)

[NuclearWessell]

I actually didn't know that, but I always like to learn something new.

[Bob Clark]

Try Todaros Music at worldfrets.com. These are not listed on their site, but they have lots of instruments that are not on the list. Joe Todaro brings in stringed instruments from around the world. He is really knowledgeable and great about sharing information. I recommend you give the shop a call and ask for Joe. He may have just what you are looking for. I have recommended his shop quite a few times here on the Cafe but to be clear, I have NFI. Here is their number: 610-623-3555.

[Jim Garber]

I think he wants to buy one while he is in Manila. I bought my charango from Joe at the Philadelphia Guitar show many years ago. He is a good source for these world music instruments.

[Bob Clark]

I think he wants to buy one while he is in Manila.

Sorry, Jim. I thought he was only in Manilla for a brief stay (post 4), but I sure don't know. Probably worth mentioning Joe as a source for people doing a search in the future, anyway. As you point out, Joe is a good source for world instruments. I really like going to his shop and looking around. Always interesting things to see. It's an added benefit that he's a great guy to speak with.

I hope you have enjoyed your charango!

Best wishes,

Bob

[Jim Garber]

Yes, Joe went to Bolivia and met and picked out the luthiers there and it was good to find a selection of them in one place. Mine is i pretty good shape. After some time acclimating to weather conditions here in the US the frets ends started to stick out so I had my luthier deal with it and it plays nicely. The big problem with charangos is that with all the tuners they are head-heavy.