Results 1 to 13 of 13

Thread: Coombe #305

  1. #1
    Registered User Dean Gray's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2019
    Location
    East coast of Australia
    Posts
    87

    Default Coombe #305

    Peter Coombe has somehow improved his flat top mandolin design further, today I got to play #305, and I have serious MAS.
    This is now the 4th generation of his classical flat top model.

    Engleman spruce top, Tasmanian black wood back and sides. It's dangerous living so close to Peter's workshop. My wife will strangle me if I buy another mandolin this year!!

    Not sure how well the audio will sound from the video taken on my phone but thought it was worth sharing. This is a beautiful warm, loud and crystal clear sounding mandolin.

    Anyone going to the Port Fairy folk festival should go and check it out.

    https://fb.watch/j5xsNjP_3K/?mibextid=6aamW6

  2. The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to Dean Gray For This Useful Post:


  3. #2
    Registered User Dean Gray's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2019
    Location
    East coast of Australia
    Posts
    87

    Default Re: Coombe #305

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20230306_132222.jpg 
Views:	98 
Size:	481.6 KB 
ID:	206434Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20230306_132213.jpg 
Views:	94 
Size:	543.2 KB 
ID:	206435Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20230306_132231.jpg 
Views:	86 
Size:	828.2 KB 
ID:	206436

  4. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Dean Gray For This Useful Post:


  5. #3
    Timothy Tim Logan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    Shutesbury, MA
    Posts
    664

    Default Re: Coombe #305

    I have to agree with you Dean. Thank you for posting!

    “There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.” ― Albert Schweitzer

    1925 Lyon & Healy Model A, #1674
    2015 Collings A (MT2-V)

  6. #4
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Westchester, NY
    Posts
    30,736

    Default Re: Coombe #305

    I like the tone from what I can hear and the responsiveness in playing dynamics. I think flattops are generally underrated. I find that with my elderly Flatiron. I would love to play one of Peter’s someday.
    Jim

    My Stream on Soundcloud
    Facebook
    19th Century Tunes
    Playing lately:
    1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1

  7. #5
    Registered User Bob Buckingham's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Greer, SC
    Posts
    897

    Default Re: Coombe #305

    Sounds great and looks wonderful.

  8. #6
    Registered User Eric Platt's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    St. Paul, MN
    Posts
    2,039

    Default Re: Coombe #305

    Great sounding mandolin. Seems like I can tell a difference between yours and mine (which might a 3rd generation?) That one is definitely a keeper.
    Brentrup Model 23, Boeh A5 #37, Gibson A Jr., Big Muddy M-11, Coombe Classical flattop, Strad-O-Lin
    https://www.facebook.com/LauluAika/
    https://www.lauluaika.com/
    https://www.facebook.com/Longtine-Am...14404553312723

  9. #7
    Registered User Rick Jones's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Rochester Hills, MI
    Posts
    393

    Default Re: Coombe #305

    Quote Originally Posted by Dean Gray View Post
    My wife will strangle me if I buy another mandolin this year!!
    Already? It's pretty early in the year ....
    All my life I wanted to be somebody, now I realize I should have been more specific.

  10. #8
    Registered User Dean Gray's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2019
    Location
    East coast of Australia
    Posts
    87

    Default Re: Coombe #305

    Quote Originally Posted by Eric Platt View Post
    Great sounding mandolin. Seems like I can tell a difference between yours and mine (which might a 3rd generation?) That one is definitely a keeper.
    Sadly this one is not mine! I have a beautiful A5 of Peter's and a 2nd generation flat top. I am pretty sure yours is a 3rd generation and is a bit louder than mine.

    There is a difference, even between #300 and this one. Slightly more of everything! Resonance, volume, and a bit more fullness to single note lines.

    I know I sound like a sales rep for Peter but I'm just a mandolin player who lives nearby. I have bought all 3 of my Coombes. I am just lucky to get to play some of his newly made instruments before they leave the workshop. I have heard how these flat tops have evolved from his original design, to this 4th generation, and this new one is something special.

  11. The following members say thank you to Dean Gray for this post:


  12. #9

    Default Re: Coombe #305

    When you record one again, play something on all the strings so we can hear how the D & G strings sound too. The A & E sound great!
    2010 Heiden A5, 2020 Pomeroy oval A, 2013 Kentucky KM1000 F5, 2012 Girouard A Mandola w ff holes, 2001 Old Wave A oval octave
    http://HillbillyChamberMusic.bandcamp.com
    Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@hillbillychambermusic

  13. #10
    Mandolin & Mandola maker
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Bega NSW, Australia
    Posts
    1,421

    Default Re: Coombe #305

    Eric, your's is 2nd generation, but made from the same woods. Some sound clips, with a decent micrphone -

    http://petercoombe.com/Pictures/for-...d-Inchquin.mp3

    http://petercoombe.com/Pictures/for-...n305/begsi.mp3

    http://petercoombe.com/Pictures/for-.../home-rule.mp3

    http://petercoombe.com/Pictures/for-...eerfellows.mp3

    http://petercoombe.com/Pictures/for-...rocky-road.mp3

    And, yes I am very pleased with it. It has embarrassed one of my nice arch top mandolins I have right now. It is so loud you don't have to push to get volume so is a delight to play. I was hoping for loud and clean, clear sound and that is what I got. I think the changes have been a great success.
    Peter Coombe - mandolins, mandolas and guitars
    http://www.petercoombe.com

  14. The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to peter.coombe For This Useful Post:


  15. #11
    Registered User Randi Gormley's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Connecticut, USA
    Posts
    3,376

    Default Re: Coombe #305

    what a lovely sounding instrument! I love my snake, but oh, you Coombe!
    --------------------------------
    1920 Lyon & Healy bowlback
    1923 Gibson A-1 snakehead
    1952 Strad-o-lin
    1983 Giannini ABSM1 bandolim
    2009 Giannini GBSM3 bandolim
    2011 Eastman MD305

  16. #12
    Registered User Eric Platt's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    St. Paul, MN
    Posts
    2,039

    Default Re: Coombe #305

    Just was looking through this thread again and noticed something - what strings are on #305? Am sure it's a simple answer, but they don't look familiar.

    Thanks.
    Brentrup Model 23, Boeh A5 #37, Gibson A Jr., Big Muddy M-11, Coombe Classical flattop, Strad-O-Lin
    https://www.facebook.com/LauluAika/
    https://www.lauluaika.com/
    https://www.facebook.com/Longtine-Am...14404553312723

  17. #13
    Mandolin & Mandola maker
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Bega NSW, Australia
    Posts
    1,421

    Default Re: Coombe #305

    Just was looking through this thread again and noticed something - what strings are on #305? Am sure it's a simple answer, but they don't look familiar.
    D'Addario EFT74.
    Peter Coombe - mandolins, mandolas and guitars
    http://www.petercoombe.com

  18. The following members say thank you to peter.coombe for this post:


Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •