Newsletter 1/09/10
General News
New premises have been found, subject to all the paperwork going OK. Its going to take a while to turn a grotty shell into something I can move into so the move won’t be too soon. I have been planning to go to a loose appointment system for a while (see the Shop/Contact pages on the website for details). I will probably start this once the builders are in so that I am able to move back and forth between both premises. The new place is only three mins walk from the current address… watch this space for more news.
For the time being I will be open as usual 10.30 to 6.00 Tues to Sat. Sunday and Monday by appointment.
I will be away 11-19 September but my trusty tech Ed will keep the shop open Tues to Sat as usual (for the time being).
Mandolin News
| Weber Gallatin A5 | Mandolin | £1295 | |
| Weber Gallatin F5 | Mandolin | £1650 | |
| Weber Bitterroot F mandocello | Mandolin | £3995 | |
| Lewis Ritz | Mandolin | £4995 | |
| Lewis Ritz Deluxe | Mandolin | £5995 | |
| Flinthills A4 Artist | Vintage Mandolin | £1295 | |
| Weber Bitterroot F5 custom USED | Vintage Mandolin | £2150 |
With the arrival of the incredible Weber Yellowstone F mandocello I now have four mandocellos in stock! Come and check out these amazing beasts. Also back in stock from Bruce’s small team of dedicated and skilful crafts folk are the great value Gallatin A5 and F5. In the used department the ‘Bengal Tiger’ Bitterroot F5 custom is as much mandolin as you will find for (a tad) under two grand, and as good as many for a lot more.
I’ve been waiting a year for Michael Lewis’ two guitar bodied mandolins and it was well worth it. They are both truly awesome instruments. The oval hole is that very rare beast, an oval hole mandolin with bark and bite. The blackface F hole has a mid range to die for! Some would think of them as jazz mandolins with the guitar body but that would be to limit two very versatile instruments.
Also in the used department is a great value used Flinthills.
My much anticipated Brentrup Eclipse is on its way as is a very beautiful and radical mandolin from Allan Beardsell.
Guitar News
| Baranik Retreaux Parlour ‘Aloha Koa’ | Guitar | £3995 | |
| Hoffman C12 | Guitar | £5695 | |
| Petros GC Adirondack/Macassar Ebony | Vintage Guitar | £5795 | |
| Martin | Vintage Guitar |
My first new guitar from Charlie Hoffman is here. It is as incredible as the used one I had a few years ago. Its light and very responsive. With a short scale and twelve frets to the body and a cutaway it is a very versatile and playable fingerstylist’s guitar. Its been off to Richard Thomas for a review in Acoustic Magazine, as has my maple Hamblin GC.
Reviews in Acoustic magazine coming very soon of the Ehlers parlour and the Sexauer FT-O-JB fan fret "Companion".
My fourth Retreaux Parlour from Mike Baranik is here, christened the ‘Aloha Koa’ by Mike, its in Carpathian Spruce and Koa. I am enjoying number three, my ‘Paint it Black’, at home. Two more are on order, one with Bubinga back and sides and an all koa fan fret. You might have gathered that I am a great fan of these amazing little guitars.
I have an incredible used Petros in adi and ebony and an great value Martin HD-35 with Fishman pickup for £1499. The latter would cost about £2200 new!!
Lots of goodies coming soon…. Some have been watching the build progress of the unbelievable Klepper Dovetail Madness III on the AGF on-line forum. I am really excited about that. There are also several guitars due in the next few months from luthiers new to the TAMCO stable. Its going to be an exciting autumn and winter here at least. Ideal for staying home and playing a great guitar…
Happy Pickin'
Trevor.