Tiple alert !!

Subject: Tiple alert !!
From: Wesley S
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 01:39 PM

Just when you thought it was safe to shop at Mandolin Broes again I see that they are offering a rather recent model Martin T-28 Tiple for sale. If anyone buys it - please let me know what the heck you plan to do with it.

See photo here

Here's the description from the website:

This diminutive ten-stringed wonder, though small in aspect, has the cosmetic features of any style -28 Martin instrument. Features consist of five-ply top purfling, 11 ply soundhole rosette, an ebony carved bridge with a fret wire saddle, East Indian rosewood headplate with the small, old style C F Martin & Co. logo, five-on-a-plate open-gear side-mounted tuners with ivoroid buttons. The tiple is tuned to ukulele tuning in four courses of 2-3-3-2. The back is bordered in black-white-black, the sides in plain crème/white binding; the unbound ebony fretboard has 12 frets to the body, the seventh of which has the double dot with a single at 5 and 10 (just like Woolworth's). Its sides and back are lovely chocolate brown East Indian rosewood with dark brown highlights. The condition is not just excellent but solidly excellent. This is a beautiful piece, though Lilliputan size, from the Martin dealer in Lilliput, measuring the proverbial 9x12 (inches we mean) with a scale length of 17" and a total length of 27 ¾ and a fingerboard width of 1.5" at the nut with a diamond dart around the back. This is one classy tiple. $1,954 or at our cash discount price $1,895.

Subject: RE: Tiple alert !!
From: Big Mick
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 01:50 PM

Wow, Wes, talk about "here we go again". Folks, you might want to go back to this thread and start working forward. Or do a search of the Forum using tiple as the subject. The tiple is legendary around these parts. I think the first mention happened in 1998 when someone mentioned they were looking for one. That got Rick going which got Spaw going, which got the whole fandamned site going. This spawned a whole host of inventions, including the Amish mustache something or the other. Part of the lore, as they say.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Tiple alert !!
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 04:09 PM

Ah happy days!   I'm off through the time warp...

Subject: RE: Tiple alert !!
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 04:15 PM

damn! I thought this was a tipple alert-had me bottle of Gordon's gin at the ready.

Subject: RE: Tiple alert !!
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 04:25 PM

from the Martin dealer in Lilliput?

It may be Lilliputian in size, but the price is certainly not small change.

Subject: RE: Tiple alert !!
From: Leadfingers
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 04:50 PM

Thats a lot of pennies for an up market Ukulele !!

Subject: RE: Tiple alert !!
From: M.Ted
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 05:12 PM

As a person who actually owned and played a tiple, I felt I had an obligation to post something--though I have posted everything I have to say about the tiple three times, at least(which is true about nearly everything else at mudcat, as well)--the instrument looks pretty new, which doesn't surprise me--Martin tiples have a fairly short life expectancy, owing to the stress that those ten high strung strings place on the bridge.

If Gibson had made them, more would have survived, because they would have anchored the strings with a tailpiece--then the poor devils would have had a fighting chance.

As I have said before, sooner or later, those ten tight strings are going to rip the bridge right out, and, likely as not, take some of the top with it. I've seen it happen. Damn near lost an eye.

Subject: RE: Tiple alert !!
From: Bee
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 05:38 PM

I read that older thread and now feel I've been wandering with tiple-ing talking coyotes in the desert after drinking too much tequila: I may have et the worm. Or been abducted by those Liliputian alien musicians and set down with false memories.

And I'm now determined to mount a fervent Save the Innocent Leaping Armadillos From Cruel Drivers campaign. Think I can get Brigit or Sir Paul to cuddle one for the photo op? ;-D

Subject: RE: Tiple alert !!
From: catspaw49
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 06:48 PM

The Tiple thread...........thoses were the days.......I'd almost forgotten that from that thread came the Neil Young Center for the Terminally Screwed.

Bee, we can fix you up with a room at the Center and teach you to play Noseflute!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Tiple alert !!
From: Bee
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 07:17 PM

With my sinuses? Can't I just learn to play bodhran with my toes?

Subject: RE: Tiple alert !!
From: M.Ted
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 09:37 PM

Spaw neglected to mention that you'll be part of a good sized nose flute ensemble, so it won't be too demanding at first. By the time you've worked your way up to playing the one note solo in "Cinnamon Girl", you're sinuses will be clean and nice.

Subject: RE: Tiple alert !!
From: Bee
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 09:42 PM

Ah, so there's an up side.

Subject: RE: Tiple alert !!
From: M.Ted
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 10:16 PM

Not just one--it's all good!

Subject: RE: Tiple alert !!
From: GUEST,John
Date: 28 Oct 06 - 09:00 AM

I have a tiple that was owned & played by my grandfather. The only manufacturer ID is a sticker inside the sound hole that reads "Jonatnan" "Since 1871 AB in Europe" "Since 1904 in the United Staates". Does anyone know where I can get more information on this instrument? It needs repair work and new strings. Also, how do you tune this thing?

Subject: RE: Tiple alert !!
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Oct 06 - 12:45 PM

LMAO...thanks for the Memory Lane stroll...my belly hurts from so much laughing!

Subject: RE: Tiple alert !!
From: Wesley S
Date: 24 Feb 09 - 10:07 AM

Another Martin Tiple alert. It looks like it's in good shape too. Only $1250.00 at Bernunzion Vintage Instruments. NFI.

Find it here

Subject: RE: Tiple alert !!
From: GUEST,dannymangold
Date: 26 Apr 10 - 02:17 PM

Found a Martin !! T-18...1927...an antique store on the Kitsap Peninsula in Washington... really clean...original case..loud as heck and only $300 !!

Subject: RE: Tiple alert !!
From: beeliner
Date: 26 Apr 10 - 04:07 PM

Are Paracho Elites any good?

They're being sold on eBay for $250.

Subject: RE: Tiple alert !!
From: GUEST,Cherk Guest
Date: 01 Jun 10 - 04:24 PM

There are many different instruments that bear the name "tiple". The Paracho Elite tiple is a Columbian instrument with 12 strings (in four courses), a bigger body, and a very wide neck, usually tuned DGBE.

The Martin tiples mentioned in this thread are smaller, 10-stringed instruments, usually tuned GCEA (or ADF#B).

Subject: RE: Tiple alert !!
From: GUEST,Dan
Date: 23 Jun 11 - 09:35 PM

Hello... stumbled upon this thread while looking for info on tiples. I have one I would like to sell, a Martin T-18. Anyone interested? Can anyone direct me to those who might be interested? Thanks. Dan

Subject: RE: Tiple alert !!
From: GUEST,haku
Date: 03 Sep 11 - 12:48 PM

i'm interested in owning, playing - i hope i can find one of these loud, but robust built little guys... , no super delicates for me - i perform boldly... any ideas of some that are well built and sound great???   (prices are helpful :)