Mandolin News.
There’s been some excitement about the new Kentucky mandolins, we’ve replenished old stock and added five new models. The Rover RM 25 (in our completely unbiased opinion) is the cheapest playable mandolin available in the UK. We could sell them about £20 cheaper but spend twenty quids worth of time setting up each one. For £20 more you can get the RM25s with a solid spruce top. The KM-172 and 174 are the new oval holes in all solid woods from Kentucky. They have loads of resonance and sustain and a nice deep, solid bass, a fantastic buy. The KM-250s is a traditionaly styled A5, also great value.
Also from the Kentucky stable (pun intended) are the new Trinity College mando family instruments. My experiment at getting similar instruments with the TAMCO logo came to nought second time round so TC are back but cheaper than before! All solid woods, a great place to start with a bouzouki, ‘dola or octave, the mandolin is great value too.
In the next few weeks I should be getting the fist delivery of J. Bovier bluegrass mandolins. They will replace the Furch which I mentioned last time I won’t be re-stocking due to zero service (some deals to be had to clear them, £50 off each). I am very excited about the Boviers, (£350 to £750) each one will be set up by Jeff Cowherd in the US of A before coming to TAMCO… watch this space.
As predicted last time the USED Capek A4 basic went within hours of going on the web. This time we have an A5 basic, don’t hang about if you are interested. The Octave form Rosta still hasn’t arrived but should be here soon. The amazing Rigel resophonic is back with us, its last owner, having loved it for a while decided to concentrate on the guitar!!!
| Trinity College mandolin | Mandolin | £265 |
| Trinity College mandola | Mandolin | £275 |
| Trinity College octave mandolin | Mandolin | £285 |
| Trinity College bouzouki | Mandolin | £295 |
| Rover RM-25 | Mandolin | £69.95 |
| Rover RM-25s | Mandolin | £89.95 |
| Kentucky KM-172 amber | Mandolin | £179.95 |
| Kentucky KM-174 burgundy | Mandolin | £179.95 |
| Kentucky KM 250 | Mandolin | £235.00 |
| Rigel G-110 Resophonic | Vintage Mandolin | £1995 |
| Capek A5 basic | Vintage Mandolin | £999 |
Guitar News.
| K. Yairi DY62C. Dreadnought electro/cutaway cedar/burled mahogany | Guitar | £1175 |
| K. Yairi Masterworks RAG65MH. Parlour spruce/mahogany parlour | Guitar | £1295 |
| K. Yairi FY84SBE. OM electro/spruce/rosewood/sunburst | Guitar | £1195 |
| K. Yairi WY1TS. OM cutaway spruce/figured maple/sunburst | Guitar | £1089 |
| K. Yairi YF20NY spruce/rosewood | Guitar | £825 |
| Taylor GA-WS limited edition spruce/walnut | Vintage Guitar | £1295 |
| Bourgeois Slope D adirondack/mahogany/sunburst/sunburst USED | Vintage Guitar | £1950 |
| Lakewood M1 | Vintage Guitar | £495 |
I’ve known about K. Yiari guitars for some time. I’ve always thought them to be pretty good guitars but I was wrong, they are amazing, distinctive and beautiful in finish and a very lot of tone per buck. All completely handmade in Japan, dovetail neck joints, air dried woods and incredible prices. The diminutive parlour packs a remarkable punch for a guitar with a mere 13” lower bout, the Dreadnought has all the attack expected by a flat-picker but with great response for other styles, and spectacular burled mahogany back and sides.
We have two new models from Dana Bourgeois on the way. The much anticipated short scale slope D. The slope D has long been my favourite Bourgeois and TAMCO’s best seller but I haven’t tried the ‘shorty’ (as I am trying to get it christened) yet so can’t really comment on the sound. With a 24.9” scale its 0.6” shorter than standard, enough to make a difference… Our first Jumbo form Dana is also on order, the DB Jumbo cutaway, redwood top, Indian Rosewood back and sides, it’s a 16” ‘small’ Jumbo. I haven’t heard one of these either so will leave comments on tone until it arrives. I have always liked the aesthetic of the Jumbo body shape and Dana’s description of the guitar make very excited to be getting one.
Three used guitar bargains in this time, £500 less than new price for a std Slope D from Dana, a Taylor in my favourite back and sides wood, walnut and a great deal for those with a £500 budget in the Larrivve M1.
Happy pickin’
Trevor