Freshwater Instruments

Subject: Freshwater Instruments
From: Big Mick
Date: 09 Jun 01 - 11:12 AM

As I mentioned on another thread, I am about to purchase an Irish Bouzouki made by David Freshwater in Scotland. I thought I would ask if anyone else here is playing a Freshwater made instrument? I tried one at Elderly, and really enjoyed it. It has a punch to it that I am going to enjoy. Great action, too.

Anyone else using them? If so, could I get a critique?

Mick

Subject: RE: Freshwater Instruments
From: catspaw49
Date: 09 Jun 01 - 11:27 AM

If it's coming here from Scotland, wouldn.t that make it a Saltwater Instrument?

Spaw

Subject: RE: Freshwater Instruments
From: Midchuck
Date: 09 Jun 01 - 01:08 PM

We have one of their/his octave mandolins. Bought it new at Elderly in the Summer of '99, when we made a side trip up to Lansing on the way across country on I-80, to Wyoming. We figured we might not ever be that close to Mecca again in the next few years. It was a costly side trip, though.

The instrument hasn't been played much, since I mostly play guitar and Kris mostly plays fiddle plus a little bass. But I really intend to learn Real Soon Now.

Only problem has been that the fretboard developed a lengthwise crack. It isn't big enough to affect playability as far as I can tell. Probably our own fault for not keeping it in a hard case and humidifying it more carefully.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Freshwater Instruments
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 09 Jun 01 - 01:53 PM

They look good, is there anything you don't play Mick? (sorry just going a litle green with envy)
Weren't you learning the pipes a while back?
The site above has a testimonial page and you could email some of the people on it for their thoughts.

Subject: RE: Freshwater Instruments
From: Big Mick
Date: 09 Jun 01 - 02:04 PM

Peter, I have talked to David Freshwater several times by telephone. His genuine interest in taking care of his customers is one of the reasons why I have decided to take the plunge on his instruments. Another reason is that I played one and they have a great sound, that was different from any other that I played at Elderly. I found out later that is because, on the model I played, the soundbox is oversized in depth, width and length. Very unique. He also described his production process and it is something.

Back to your comment. I am sure that if you send David an EMAIL he will work with you on the problem. Just in case that link doesn't work the addy is [e-mail]. On a simple email inquiry from Michigan, David called me by telephone from Scotland twice in two days. He definitely believes in customer service. And he did this before I ever agreed to buy an instrument.

Mick

Subject: RE: Freshwater Instruments
From: Big Mick
Date: 09 Jun 01 - 02:09 PM

Nope, the email link doesn't work, but try the addy, [e-mail] .

Yeah, Roger, I checked out the testimonials and was pretty impressed. Those folks are great, but when I want the skinny, I always come home to The Mudcat.

Yeah, I play a couple of things, but the operative question is "How well?". I am adequate on a number of them. I am still working on the pipes and figure I have a year to 18 months before I will perform on them. These infernal pipes prove that we Irish/Irish Americans/Irish whatevers are a daft lot. But we keep our lives interesting until we get on the wrong side of the sod, and then they talk about us for a good bit.................LOL.

Mick

Subject: RE: Freshwater Instruments
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 09 Jun 01 - 02:59 PM

Thanks Mick, from the freshwater page I found a link to some MP3s to download, then had a look back at A.Irvines site to see if he would be playing near here soon (he ain't). I love this though that I found from his site. I often wonder when the neighbours will start yelling 'Shut the Feck up' as I indulge in a little late night flute practice.

Roger

Subject: RE: Freshwater Instruments
From: Justa Picker
Date: 09 Jun 01 - 03:09 PM

Here is the clicky for the e-mail link Mick provided.

Subject: RE: Freshwater Instruments
From: catspaw49
Date: 09 Jun 01 - 04:32 PM

I'd have sworn that we had this conversation before, perhaps about midchuck's problem, but I'm damned if I can find it. Either my supersearch isn't working or it's the meds because I tried several things just after I made the lame-ass joke earlier. Can anybody find an old thread where this guy came up? As I recall it was especially positive.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Freshwater Instruments
From: banjomad (inactive)
Date: 09 Jun 01 - 04:54 PM

I have just bought a mandolin made by Paul Shippey in Bristol, England, totally brilliant instrument. I can highly recommend Paul's instruments. Greetings from Dave [ ex zander ] now banjomad

Subject: RE: Freshwater Instruments
From: mooman
Date: 09 Jun 01 - 07:28 PM

I've tried several of his octave mandolins and bouzoukis and they certainly have a distinctive good punchy sound. Very good I would say for cutting through in a session. I didn't buy one as I already have a slightly smaller bodied, shorter scale length and slightly sweeter toned octave mandolin which suits my style of playing quite well.

The newer Freshwater models have a distinctive "celtic" style soundhole. All in all I would say they are very good value and well-made instruments.

mooman

Subject: RE: Freshwater Instruments
From: JedMarum
Date: 09 Jun 01 - 07:42 PM

I like the look and the price of these instruments. Like Mick, I'd love to hear from someone who's had one for a while. After seeing and hearing Brian McNeill's bouzouki and citterns from Sobell - I'd be sorely tempted to save my dollars and order one from Stephan Sobell. They are truly magnificent sounding instruments.

Subject: RE: Freshwater Instruments
From: mooman
Date: 09 Jun 01 - 08:08 PM

Dear Jed,

I've heard some very fine sounding Sobells indeed but also a few I haven't cared for at all. The trouble is he has a long waiting list and what you get is what you get. Every instrument is slightly different due to the combinations of different woods and their quality. Stephan Sobell's workmanship is of course of the highest standard.

I prefer to be able to try out an instrument before buying and I've been able fortunately to do that with the three luthier-made instruments I have.

Best regards

mooman