wanted Sibelle mandolin (Benton Music?)

Subject: wanted Sibelle mandolin (Benton Music?)
From: GUEST,bobcat
Date: 11 Dec 07 - 05:31 PM

I bought a mandolin from Benton music in June 2006 which has fabulous inlay, a double chamber and a terrific sound and I love it. It caused quite a stir when I turned up at a session in Lancs...and if anyone has a similar one they would like to sell there is a chap out there who would dearly like to buy it. I'm not parting with mine!!

Subject: RE: wanted Sibelle mandolin (Benton Music?)
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 11 Dec 07 - 05:45 PM

presumably you mean a Sobell mandolin (made by Stefan Sobell in Hexham, Northumberland ), no ?

Subject: RE: wanted Sibelle mandolin (Benton Music?)
From: Sugwash
Date: 12 Dec 07 - 05:51 AM

It's unlikely to be a Sobell, Stefan doesn't go in for fancy inlay decoration beyond herringbone or birds foot purfling.

Subject: RE: wanted Sibelle mandolin (Benton Music?)
From: maeve
Date: 12 Dec 07 - 01:34 PM

If yours is a Sobell, I can see why your friend is looking for one! Look at these:

Sobell Instruments link

Dream Guitars link

Mandolin.Org link


Octave Mandolin

maeve

Subject: RE: wanted Sibelle mandolin (Benton Music?)
From: GUEST,bobcat
Date: 12 Dec 07 - 04:49 PM

No I don't mean Sobell..I mean Sibelle from a workshop in Korea which went out of business about six/seven years ago. Benton music in Manchester were importing them....So has anyone out there got one?

Subject: RE: wanted Sibelle mandolin (Benton Music?)
From: maeve
Date: 12 Dec 07 - 05:10 PM

Guest, bobcat- I understand. That explains why, when I went searching for Sibelle and Benton Music, I came up with nothing useful. Sorry my links weren't helpful. Sugwatch was correct!

I'll hope someone else with better information will see your thread.

Good luck,

maeve

Subject: RE: wanted Sibelle mandolin (Benton Music?)
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 12 Dec 07 - 06:20 PM

it does seem exceedingly strange that there is no trace whatsoever on the internet of a "Sibelle mandolin" particularly as the instrument appears to be such a show-stopper ...

Subject: RE: wanted Sibelle mandolin (Benton Music?)
From: maeve
Date: 12 Dec 07 - 11:36 PM

Guest, bobcat

I just spent another hour looking for any reference to the Sibelle mandolin, Sibelle company in Korea, and various permutations thereof. I came across one possible reference to a Sibelle guitar, but no links or further information were given.It seems to me the poster (on Harmonymusic.com I think?) had gotten it at the same Benton Music. I can't even find a link for Benton Music in Manchester; is it out of business as well??

I give up. Unless there is a different spelling of the company name, or new information, I have no clue where you might find one for your friend. Perhaps on a mandolin forum you'd have more luck. If you need more help, consider becoming a Mudcat member and I'm sure various others will pop up to offer assistance.

maeve

Subject: RE: wanted Sibelle mandolin (Benton Music?)
From: Melissa
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 03:40 AM

Bobcat:
I played with a couple korean mandolins (and a guitar) that were positively infested with inlay (fish, unicorn) not too long ago..I don't remember the name and I don't know what "double chamber" means.

These had a BIG 'woody' sound, A-style, kind of big, flat bodies.
If this sounds like a fairly accurate description, I can check the name and willingness to sell..if your friend is still shopping.

Melissa

Subject: RE: wanted Sibelle mandolin (Benton Music?)
From: GUEST,bobcat
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 04:56 PM

Thanks for all your posts. Benton music still trades. I've contacted Dave there who tells me the workshop was burned down over a year ago. He used to import their guitars as well.
I have already put a thread on mandolin forum..lots of hits but no replies.
Double chamber mean that the body has a second one inside the outer one and there are holes round the sides to let the sound out.The Mandolin is a flat back tear-shaped mandolin
So does anyone have a similar one they would be willing to sell to the player I met in Lancs?

Subject: RE: wanted Sibille mandolin (Benton Music?)
From: GUEST,bobcat
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 05:02 PM

On reflection..i think it should read Sibille mandolin

Subject: RE: wanted Sibelle mandolin (Benton Music?)
From: GUEST,bobcat
Date: 06 Jan 08 - 07:11 AM

Hope some one has some news?