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Thread: Clareen mandolins

  1. #1

    Default Clareen mandolins

    Hey all!

    I’m looking at getting a clareen mandolin in the near future but am unable to find much about them online. I can find one YouTube short showing off the mahogany model, and a review on this forum of the rosewood model but not much else.

    If anyone has had any experience with these mandolins and could share their thoughts that would be great! Or if you’re aware of any videos or sound files showing off these mandolins.

    I’m mainly interested in the A2 rosewood model but any information is good!

  2. #2
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Clareen mandolins

    Did you look in their website? There is a video of A2 being played here. https://www.banjo.ie/product/clareen-cb-sh-a2-rosewood/
    Jim

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  3. #3
    Registered User Steve 2E's Avatar
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    Default Re: Clareen mandolins

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    Did you look in their website? There is a video of A2 being played here. https://www.banjo.ie/product/clareen-cb-sh-a2-rosewood/
    I'm a bit confused. It looks like she's playing a teens Gibson, not a Clareen A2. There is a short video of the mahogany model that the OP mentioned. That one sounds pretty good to me. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hgsWM7E2bhk

  4. #4

    Default Re: Clareen mandolins

    Looks like a Gibson to me.

    Dave H
    Eastman 615 mandola
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  5. #5

    Default Re: Clareen mandolins

    Yeah the video on the page for the A2 rosewood is for some reason a different mandolin.

    Information seems pretty sparse on these mandolins. But I love my tenor banjo I got from clareen so interested in what their mandolins are like.

    I’m also from U.K. and getting hold of anything that’s an upgrade from an Eastman can be quite challenging. So this is an option I’m looking at.

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Clareen mandolins

    You should have no trouble upgrading from an Eastman mandolin in the UK - plenty of good mandolin makers at decent prices (Paul Shippey for instance). You should be able to find a decent used Shippey for no more than a new Eastman - just a thought.
    Clareen is famous for making banjos - mandolins look like a recent departure, although they have always stocked them. There are other good Irish makers, e.g. Siveen (Paul Evans), if you are in need of the Celtic aura.

    Don't forget to factor in the increased import costs from Ireland following Brexit.
    Anglocelt
    mainly Irish & Scottish but open to all dance-oriented melodic music.
    Mandos: Gibson A2, Janish A5, Krishot F5, Taran Springwell, Shippey, Weber Elite A5; TM and OM by Dave Gregory, J E Dallas, Tobin & Davidson.

  7. #7
    Registered User DavidKOS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Clareen mandolins

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    Did you look in their website? There is a video of A2 being played here. https://www.banjo.ie/product/clareen-cb-sh-a2-rosewood/
    Yes, I did...and they seem to make nice tenor banjos too.

  8. #8

    Default Re: Clareen mandolins

    I’ve just been looking into Shippey mandolins and gosh they look and sound beautiful! Is there any other U.K. builders you would recommend looking into?

    I’m after a mandolin for Celtic music.

    Thank you for all your help guys!

  9. #9
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Clareen mandolins

    Yeah, upon further examination it does look like a Gibson at least from the different headstock but I was not sure if this was just a variant. It is hard to tell whether the top in the video is flat or carved. I am not sure why thru would post a musician playing a Gibson on their site. If I were the OP I would write to them and see what they say.
    Jim

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    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

  10. #10
    Registered User seankeegan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Clareen mandolins

    Quote Originally Posted by MrPitchy View Post
    I’ve just been looking into Shippey mandolins and gosh they look and sound beautiful! Is there any other U.K. builders you would recommend looking into?

    I’m after a mandolin for Celtic music.

    Thank you for all your help guys!
    Phil Davidson

  11. #11
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    Default Re: Clareen mandolins

    Quote Originally Posted by MrPitchy View Post
    I’ve just been looking into Shippey mandolins and gosh they look and sound beautiful! Is there any other U.K. builders you would recommend looking into?

    I’m after a mandolin for Celtic music.

    Thank you for all your help guys!
    Here is a recent thread you might find relevant.
    https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...olin-in-the-UK
    David A. Gordon

  12. #12

    Default Re: Clareen mandolins

    I’ve contacted clareen and they were really helpful! They are going to make a video of the A2 rosewood model and send me the link tomorrow.

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