Mandolin News.
Its cliché time… we have the holy grail of holy grails, in plain English that’s a Gibson A2z, the most sought after of the snakeheads. It is a wonderful mandolin, in great condition and sounding like only the best snakeheads do, oval hole bass and resonance with bite… We’ve also got a post snakehead, post Loar paddlehead from 1926, not nearly the cache of the A2z but nearly the sound for less than half the money.
Some tell me that impatience should be my middle name (my kids to be specific). In this case I got fed up with waiting to get my hands on a Brentrup mandolin so decided to order one for myself. When talking to Hans about my requirements he offered to make three for TAMCO!!! A4, A5 and F5 are due in the new year! I can’t wait for 2008… Brentrup AND Heiden (can’t make that rhyme) to savour.
The new Kentucky F5s are here, KM-675, KM-855 and KM-1000. There has been a lot of buzz about the 2007 models, particularly the KM1000. All of them are great value, all are very well made and have a very well focussed sound with depth and projection a plenty. Its amazing what I bit of competition can do…
I have a new order for six mandolins with Weber, due for delivery in October. Bitteroot A; Gallatin F, f hole custom maple; Bitteroot custom F, f hole; Bighorn with spectacular quilted maple; Custom Vintage A and Custom Vintage F. The new custom vintage models, made from woods 50 – 100 years old, have been getting rave reviews, the A has been favourably compared to Nugget and Gilchrist!
I have been so impressed with the first delivery of Flinthills that I have kept the A4 for myself. I am working with Mark on two models each, A4, A5 and F4, F5. Mark is a sole luthier so it will take a while for them all to come through, two A4s and an F5 should be here around the end of October.
Rosta Capek has had another visit from Ricky Skaggs, new photos on the website. We are now back to full strength with each mandolin model on the website in stock.
The mandoblasters (electric, solid body mandolins, 4 and 5 string) promised last time are in the UK but taking a prolonged vacation in customs-land. When the nice folks at the revenue stop boogying with them I’ll get them on the website.
| Kentucky KM-675 | Mandolin | £495 |
| Kentucky KM-855 | Mandolin | £595 |
| Kentucky KM-1000 | Mandolin | £950 |
| Furch MF21 f hole | Vintage Mandolin | £375 |
| Gibson 1926 A | Vintage Mandolin | £1495 |
| Gibson A2z - A 1924 blacktop snakehead | Vintage Mandolin | £2995 |
| Washburn M-ISDL/TR | Vintage Mandolin | £250 |
Guitar News.
| Bourgeois Short Scale Slope D | Guitar | £2295 |
| Bourgeois DS-260 | Guitar | £2495 |
| Taylor 355ce 12 string | Vintage Guitar | £995 |
| Martin OM21 1997 | Vintage Guitar | £995 |
| Breedlove C22-R | Vintage Guitar | £1795 |
| Lowden O12c spruce/mahogany 1997 | Vintage Guitar | £1295 |
We have two new Bourgeois models in, short scale slope D and DS-260 12 fret dread. Both stunners in looks and sound. I am so impressed with the DS-260 that I am working with Dana on a TAMCO custom model in figured walnut with flamed maple bindings and a few other goodies. Eight more Bourgeois due over the next few months including the widely acclaimed small jumbo cutaway in rosewood and redwood.
Four used guitars are contributing to our worsening space problem, Martin, Lowden , Breedlove and a Taylor twelve string. We are often asked for used Lowdens but see very few, this one won’t be here long…
I have three guitars on order from Alister Atkin, OM, OO and small jumbo, all in spruce and rosewood. I was very impressed with the quality of Alister’s work and am looking forward to getting these three in sometime in August. At £1695 they are great value.
Also in August two more from the amazing Mike Baranik. A CX in cedar and Madagascar rosewood and a JX in German spruce and Indian rosewood. Mike’s lead time is now over eighteen months, I have ordered three more but that looks like being 2009 by the time they get here… The last two weren’t around very long so if you been wanting to try a Baranik then head for Brighton. Mikes prices have also gone up substantially since I ordered these so grab one while you can.
Happy pickin’
Trevor