Buying a mandola in the UK

Subject: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: Grab
Date: 03 Feb 05 - 08:15 PM

I've finally decided my ultra-cheapo £60 tenor mandola has outlived its usefulness. I still like the sound of it, but the playability is totally screwed.

So, I'm in the market for a new mandola. Has anyone got any recommendations for good makes, and more importantly, does anyone know of places to go (in the UK) that'll have several different ones to try out? I know of Hobgoblin, but since I got my cheapo one from there (and since other people have told me of problems dealing with Hobgoblin) I'm reluctant to put more business their way. And they only have three or four in their catalogue anyway.

Whatever I get, it needs to be tuned an octave down. I don't really like mandolins (too tinny), and the CDGA tuning of a standard tenor mandola screws up playing tunes with other people. Another tenor mandola would be fine - I'll just restring with bigger strings. I'm wondering about a proper octave mandola (aka "octave mandolin"), but the scale length on the tenor mandola is already slightly longer than is comfortable for playing fiddle tunes cleanly, so I suspect an octave mandola will be worse.

My main worry is just finding somewhere that has enough of a range of instruments to try a few different ones. Whilst I can play tolerably well now, I don't know enough about what's available to make a good decision sight unseen, so I don't just want to buy something off a website - it's essential that I can play it before I buy. The problem is that while the world is full of guitars and mandolins, there are very few mandolas around, so you never hear what someone else's instrument sounds like because you've usually got the only one for miles! And hearing them at performances (Show of Hands, etc) is all very well but you never get to find out what the things sound acoustically. So any advice anyone's got about good makes, and about good places to go shopping for one, would be priceless. Oh, and on "priceless", I can't really afford more than £500 ($800) - and kiss goodbye to last year's bonus at that! :-/

Anyone got any ideas? please?

Graham.

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 03 Feb 05 - 10:29 PM

good question..

i've thought hard on this, and still can only think of hobgoblins..
theres always been several different mandolas on display, including 2nd hand ones by brandnames not normally in catalogue,in my nearest hobgobs..

so all i can suggest try out the available mandolas in a couple of branches
of hobgoblin, to get an idea of what you like the feel of..

then consider actually buying direct from maker or distributer if possible..

otherwise, if you find one you like there at a good price, just take a chance and buy it

Btw..i'm curious, what kind of problems have other people told you about..?

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 03 Feb 05 - 10:51 PM

ps.. i'm on the lookout for a bolt on mandola neck
that might fit a vintage small arch top electric guitar body..
maybe someone knows names of cheaper factory produced electic mandola brands or cheap
acoustics with bolt on necks i can refine search for..?

the only person i can remember seeing playing a solid body electric mandola
was attila the stockbroker.. dunno who made it, but heres a photo..

http://www.attilathestockbroker.com/barnst.html

yeah.. i know 99% of electric mandolas are cottage industry hand made
instruments and bloody expensive..!!

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 04 Feb 05 - 01:35 AM

Check out the ' Music Room ' at Cleckheaton, they have probably the best selection in the UK and you can buy online.

www.the-music-room.com

eric

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: Leadfingers
Date: 04 Feb 05 - 03:18 AM

You give no indication of available funds , but check out any makers you can find and see whats on offer . A good maker will ensure that what you want is the way the beast turns out.
Failing that I would go along with Eric and suggest Music Room , who
have branches round the country , NOT just at Cleckheaton ( My nearest is Oxford)

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: Grab
Date: 04 Feb 05 - 04:36 AM

Thanks for those hints. Music Room sounds like a good place to look, at least to find out what a "good" mandola sounds like (their prices start at a bit more than I can probably afford!).

The problem with my cheapo instrument was that (a) it was set up badly, (b) turns out that the bad setup was concealing a serious flaw in the instrument (no neck relief), and (c) the staff on the stand at the festival I bought it from didn't give a shit. I've also heard other people unimpressed with how they treat the instruments they bring to festivals (or rather, how they don't treat them). Maybe their shop is different, I don't know - but my feeling is that if they're slipshod at events where they're trying to build up custom, they're going to be slipshod back home too. Trouble is though that it doesn't look like I've got much choice.

Maybe I'd better just talk to a local luthier and see how much he'd charge. I know of a couple round here, but again it's running into the rarity aspect of mandolas - I'd rather buy off someone who's built a few before and knows what they're doing, rather than someone who'll just scale up a mandolin or scale down a guitar or just use a pattern out of a book.

Graham.

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: Lanfranc
Date: 04 Feb 05 - 07:00 AM

Last time I looked, Doug Parry at John Alvey Turner had an Ozark Octave Mandola for £285 or, if you have the cash and want something really different, an old Gibson Mandocello for £1,950!!

I don't know much about mandolas, but the Ozark Mandolins are half decent. I have one of their plastic-backed jobbies which for sound and playability knocks spots off much more expensive Ovation mandys.

Alan

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: Liam of the Ferry
Date: 04 Feb 05 - 07:07 AM

You could try Freshwater Instruments. I bought a cittern from Freshwater some years ago and its still sounding great. I think they do Mandolas - http://www.freshwater-instruments.com. David is avery friendly guy

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: Cllr
Date: 04 Feb 05 - 07:15 AM

Try Bedroom acoustic Music In Ampthill bedfordshire. Its run By Mike Blair WHo is a folkie performer and organiser of bedford folk club. 01525 404304 bedroomacousticmusic.co.uk I'll give him a call hopefully he will post later. Cllr

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: Davetnova
Date: 04 Feb 05 - 08:46 AM

Theres this on ebay just now, but it might not be much better than you've got octave mandolin

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: Sooz
Date: 04 Feb 05 - 11:54 AM

Mike has a Sherwood octave mandolin (from Hobgoblin) which is lovely. We had a cheapie with inbuilt problems before that.
We'd recommend Eagle Music in Huddersfield if you can get there. Steve and Joan are soooooo helpful and jolly nice chaps.

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 04 Feb 05 - 12:14 PM

Music Room Cleckheaton - can't fault it.
As for make - Grab one with either the names Paul Hathaway or Paul Shippey on the labels - 2nd to none!

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: mandotim
Date: 04 Feb 05 - 12:32 PM

Second the view about Hathway (not Hathaway!). Jimmy Moon in Scotland does some good work. A place to look and buy might be Trevor at the Acoustic Music Shop in Brighton; he usually has a wall or two full of mando related stuff. Be careful about stringing a 'true' mandola (i.e a big mandolin designed to be tuned a fifth below a mandolin at CGDA) as an octave mandolin; GDAE an octave down can make the bass strings very slack, and prone to rattles and twangs. There are short scale octave mandolins about; look out on ebay for things like Fylde, Moon, Trinity College, Musikalia and Hathway. There are bargains to be had. Another option might be to import something from the States. Johnson make a fantastically pretty instrument with an asymmetric body see this one for details;
a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10179&item=3764477637&rd=1&ssPageName=WD1V">http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10179&item=3764477637&rd=1&ssPageName=WD1V I've played one of these, and it was geat.
Tim from Bit on the Side

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: mandotim
Date: 04 Feb 05 - 12:34 PM

Sorry, blue clicky went wrong; try this;
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10179&item=3764477637&rd=1&ssPageName=WD1V
Tim

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 04 Feb 05 - 12:37 PM

Apologies to Paul HATHWAY - and thanks for a very fine instrument - built like a Lowden, with a similar punch in the volume department.
Thanks for putting me right MandoTim!

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: El Dano
Date: 04 Feb 05 - 01:05 PM

Another vote for Cleckheaton here
They have a good selection but prepare to pay for hand made prices
They also do the Musicalia Octave Mandolin which are made in Sicily they dont pretend to be boutique high end instruments but the tone can impress

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: mandotim
Date: 04 Feb 05 - 01:29 PM

I was trying to remember another name, and it came to me; Hullah made some great zouks, octaves and citterns, but I don't think he still does. Worth looking for one second hand. Second the view about David Freshwater.
Tim from Bit on the Side

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 04 Feb 05 - 03:18 PM

Oakwood instruments of Leeds make excellent insruments - they can be found HERE. Another maker well respected is Terry Docherty - you can find a contact number somewhere on this page.
Quack!!
GtD.

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: Grab
Date: 08 Feb 05 - 08:34 AM

Thanks all for the advice. I've got a week off now, so I'm thinking about a trip to one of the Music Room shops. :-)

Mandotim, I know about the stringing thing. I've made sure to get medium-heavy strings on mine though to take that slop out of the wound strings. D'Addarios seem to be the best - they've got a 15-52 set which is about right.

Freshwater sound like a good idea. Only trouble is getting to Scotland to try one to see what they sound like! And I'm generally not confident about buying acoustic instruments off Ebay - too much variation between instruments, so it's a bit of a lottery.

Graham.

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: Grab
Date: 19 Feb 05 - 06:47 PM

Well, plans have changed. While we were in the local music shop, I noticed they had an Ozark octave mandola and a Fylde tenor mandola. So I just had to try them. :-) The Ozark was OK, but not great, and strings were far too close together. The Fylde had a wider fretboard and sounded nice, but they only had the tenor and not the octave, and they couldn't order one for me to try.

Then the assistant reached me down a mandolin and said "try this". One word - wow! It was a Paul Hathway one (as recommended by Jim and Mandotim). All I can say is good choice, guys. I've never, ever heard a mandolin ring on and hold a pure sweet tone like this one did - real depth to it that beats the crap out of any other mandolin I've ever heard. So if his octave mandolas are the same way, they'd be something special. I feel a trip down to London coming on to check them out! :-)

Incidentally, Paul Hathway has a website http://www.paulhathway.com/contents.html if anyone's interested. Looks like he also makes guitars, so this could be an expensive trip...

Graham.

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: GUEST,martin
Date: 15 Jul 10 - 07:49 PM

looking at hathway or freshwater for price. or theres ozark/ashbury a bit cheaper.
which would be best? ps small hands!

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: theleveller
Date: 16 Jul 10 - 03:32 AM

Martin, I have a Hathway mandolin and used to have an octave mandolin which I sold. Excellent instruments with a superb distinctive tone. The only problem with both instruments is a rather high action, but this can be adjusted. Freshwater instruments are good - he made me a very loud cittern - but slighly rough around around the edges (well, Dave's in his 80s now!) - you may also have to wait several months (around 9 is usual).

Have a look at Thomas Buchanan. I bought one of his mandos a couple of years ago and for the money (around £500) it is absolutely superb. Everyone who hears it is amazed at the tone. Tom Bliss has one of his mandolas and I believe Ade Edmonson plays an octave.

Here's his website

http://www.folkmandolin.co.uk/

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 16 Jul 10 - 04:30 AM

Martin,

If looking at Freshwater, be aware that his actual delivery dates bear NO relation to his quoted dates. He usually quotes 10-12 weeks on delivery, but I've heard of people waiting 9-10 months before they actually get them.

I've got one on order with him now, and it's already a few weeks overdue, BUT I did tell him to take his time, as I want it right.

His quality can be patchy. I've handled 2 of his octave mandolins and acquired another for myself via ebay (couldn't resist...I was the only bidder!). They've all uniformly had great tone and sustain. One was superbly built...couldn't fault it. The second had a few imperfections and a pretty nasty tailpiece. The one I got off ebay (label says built 1998) has a good tone, but the action's too high, and on the build: the bridge and saddle sit nearly a cm off centre; the string holes in the tailpiece are unevenly drilled; the fret marker dots are slightly off-centre; the top side has a flat spot where it looks as if he let his sanding enthusiasm run away with him and the neck's been wedge-shimmed where it joins the body (must have got the angle of cut slightly wrong and put a wedge in rather than correct itor make a new one).

I don't think that's typical of his work but the fact that it ended up being sold at all is a bit worrying. It doesn't bother me much as I only got it as a "put me on" until mine's made, but had I seen it before ordering I might have paused for thought.

OTOH, Dave's a nice friendly guy to deal with....but he is getting on. Well into his 80s now so if there's a 9 month "true" wait for an instrument, cruel as it sounds you have to build in a risk factor!

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: Will Fly
Date: 16 Jul 10 - 04:47 AM

I don't know the Freshwater instruments or prices, but I can recommend the lutherie of Sussex maker Ian Chisholm. He makes guitars, mandolins, bouzoukis, etc.

Here's an example of a baritone cittern he made for musician Doc Rossi recently.

Ian's instruments are not cheap, but they're also not as expensive as other maker. He charges his time plus the cost of materials. His instruments, above all, have a wonderful clarity and projection, and are very playable. I have 4 - with another commissioned - so I know all about them!

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: Graham and Jo
Date: 16 Jul 10 - 05:26 AM

Eric Beharel in Hornsea makes nice ones. Can also cater for individual tastes and make a special one if you want something individual doing.

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: Lowden Jameswright
Date: 16 Jul 10 - 05:29 AM

Ditto on Hathway and Buchanan - superb.

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: Zen
Date: 16 Jul 10 - 05:52 AM

I've owned Roberts, Le Voi, Docherty, Hathway and Buchanan mandolas. All were excellent... my favourite of them is the Buchanan (and by no means the most expensive).

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: GUEST,Martin
Date: 16 Jul 10 - 10:31 PM

Thanks to all of you for the advice,a bit worried about the timescals
for freshwater insruments,reckon il have to look at other options.
will check out Hathway or Buchanan i think,they seem to get a lot
of recommendations.Normally mess with guitar but want to try somthing more suited to tunes! cheers once again folks X

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: bubblyrat
Date: 17 Jul 10 - 08:01 AM

I used to know a Dorset -based player (Clive Jennings, good Hammered Dulcimer player,too) who always used a "Vintage" (the maker) mandola,and very nice it sounded too ! My former "partner " in Dorset,whom I used to accompany on guitar, had a very pretty & sweet-sounding mandola by Phil Davidson, but it wasn't cheap ; nearly 1k£ ,if I remember rightly ! (worth it,though).

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: bubblyrat
Date: 17 Jul 10 - 08:21 AM

......as a matter of interest,the above-mentioned lady purchased her Davidson from "The Music Room" ; after a while,she decided,for whatever reason (search me !) to sell it, and it was on sale at the "Acoustic Music Shop" in Brighton for about a year -during this time,she bought various other makes (except the Shippey) from the "Music Room" in Cleckheaton. They were all OK in their own ways (the Fylde was a little "restrained", I felt ), but in the end she went to Brighton and retrieved the Davidson !! Which tells its own story,I guess! And,you never know---you MIGHT be lucky and find a second-hand one for &500-00 ; I doubt it,though !!

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: bubblyrat
Date: 17 Jul 10 - 08:24 AM

...or even £ 500-00 (should have gone to Specsavers..)

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 17 Jul 10 - 08:29 AM

Paul Shippey

was positively recommended in this thread back in 2005.

Heres his website:


http://www.paulshippey.co.uk/index.htm


He's well respected for his mandolin family instruments
here in the west country,
and for his playing in the well established very popular local band
"The Fallen Apples"

..wish I could afford to commission a mandola from him..

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Jul 10 - 09:02 AM

Shippey mandos are truly excellent - tried one when we bought the Buchanan, but it was over twice the price (around £1200) and the Buchanan wasn't too far behind on tone so it seemed far better value.

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: GUEST,nikos
Date: 29 Oct 10 - 07:35 AM

I have a small guitar I made for my youngster a couple decades ago, has a nice tone but the neck too narrow even for a youngster. However it could be a mandola , spacing is OK at 1 1/8" as long as the action is low (fully adjustable on this one). just need to add a tailpiece; the sound is quite good. If you want to input the conversion email me [e-mail]. I may post this on Ebay depending how it turns out. Scale is about 18 12", same as starting at the 5th fret of a short scale guitar. The tuning could be GDAD or CGDA depending on string gauge.
Nikos Apollonio

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 29 Oct 10 - 09:18 AM

Hobgobblin

L in C#

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: GUEST,martin
Date: 23 Nov 10 - 07:59 AM

ended up getting a hathway with cedar top.
very nice indeed,lovely matt finish,bit scared of

scratching it though as it (the finish) seems so delicate!

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: ollaimh
Date: 23 Nov 10 - 02:51 PM

ythe last time i was in london i spend a few hours around hobgoblin. great and very funny/clever guys, and lots of choice.

i was most impressed by the buchannan instruments but hathway were very good as well. he had fylde for a decent price as well.

if doc rossi is playing a baritone cittern by ian chisholm then its probably good but he had a cittern list on ning and is a very helpfull guy so ask him. therte are lots of makers on there as well and many who will help you find what you want.

but i really likeld the buchannans, real cannon flattops. a great pro gigging instrument or for any sessuin or just for fun and not too expensive. i may get one when the ship comes in next time

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: Gozz
Date: 23 Nov 10 - 07:41 PM

I have a Buchanan and it really punches out the sound, but having a pin bridge with two rows of pins on a small saddle leads to the row nearest the bridge having a very sharp angle for the strings to get over the bridge. String breakages occur a lot. Otherwise a great instrument.

Gozz

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: GUEST,martin
Date: 18 Oct 11 - 12:14 AM

just read tht David Freshwater gone into liquidation earlier this year? seems i had a lucky escape as i was contemplating either a freshwater or a Hathway, and according to the timings i'd have been one of the unfortunates who lost their money.
so glad i went for the Hathway!

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: GUEST,Flush
Date: 18 Oct 11 - 02:41 AM

I have both Mandolin and Mandola made by Oakwood in Leeds, both are superb and they will make whatever you want, well worth a look, I'm saving up now to get an Oakwood mando-cello or an octave mandolin to fill the 3rd slot on my instrument stand and complete the set.

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: theleveller
Date: 18 Oct 11 - 04:16 AM

I'm sorry to hear about Dave Freshwater but not surprised - lovely man but he lives in another world. He's over 80 now so probably time to retire. Hope people get their money back.

Hathways are excellent - mrsleveller has a mando - but couldn't get on with the octave so I sold it. Buchanan mandos are absolutely superb - almost on a par with a Shippey but half the price!

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Feb 12 - 08:14 AM

I had issues with a Freshwater Octave Mandola due to the fact that I knew nothing about or even heard of an Octave Mandola/Mandolin. The tail piece problem was resolved by bending the lip (where the string holes were drilled) of the tailpiece forward and put a strip of leather across then changed to loopend strings.

As I progressed in learning to play the instrument I obviously moved further up the neck when playing discovering that I had to file down some frets. In one area of the upper fretboard the same note was sounding on two adjacent frets. The A string on the 4th fret was difficult to tune but after all the mucking about it came right - don't know how!

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: GUEST,NICK
Date: 23 Mar 13 - 05:36 PM

I recently Met PAUL SHIPPEY GREAT GUY, GAVE ME SOME GOOD ADVICE ABOUT MY NEW MANDOLA NOT A SHIPPEY so it was good of him to spare the time. HE PLAYS ONE OF HIS MANDOLINS ON YOU TUBE IN THE FALLEN APPLES, GOOD REPUTATION AS A PLAYER AND BUILDER
I ASKED HIM AFTER YEARS OF MAKING MANDOLINS "WHAT CONCLUSION HAVE YOU COME TO AS TO WHAT MAKES A GOOD MANDOLIN" ,HIS ANSWER WAS VERY HONEST HE "SAID THE THICKNESS OF THE WOOD THE REST IS JUST CARPENTRY" ,FROM THAT ANSWER I GUESS HE SPENDS MOST OF HIS TIME ON GETTING THE THICKNESS OF THE WOOD PERFECTLY TUNED AND THAT IS WHY HIS INSTRUMENTS ARE SO SORT AFTER HER IN THE UK.
HOPE THIS HELPS SOMEONE MAKE THERE MIND UP ABOUT UK MANDOLINS/MADOLAS
PS HOPE YOU DON'T MIND ME QUOTING YOU PAUL

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 23 Mar 13 - 06:07 PM

No Need to shout Nick, I've played a Paul Shippey mandolin for the last 12 years, absolutely superb instrument, the best mandolin maker in the UK without a doubt.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: GUEST,NICK
Date: 24 Mar 13 - 06:36 AM

CAN ANYONE TELL ME IF IT'S WORTH CHANGING MY TENOR MANDOLA 17" FROM HEAVY TO MEDIUM D'ADDARIO STRINGS

Subject: RE: Buying a mandola in the UK
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 24 Mar 13 - 07:20 AM

My friend Martin Cole, who lives on the north Cornwall/Devon border, makes superb instruments. http://www.martincoleguitars.co.uk Definitely worth checking out, I'd say!