instruments
Isola mandolins at Ibis
Hey Jim, when we met I had no idea you were travelling on a musical quest and were prepared to sell your A5 mandolin Sorry I had to leave to catch a plane for Frankfurt otherwise we could have played together I have checked out the mando hangout site – an interesting resource! Do you … Continue reading
Elie Massaad – thank you
For the pleasure of meeting you, taking an interest in the blues and tuning my newly strung oud so patiently – (ps the strings have stretched again- sorry!) I love this video and much more ……… check it out!
Allan promises the “Moon” in Milan
Allan – I appreciate the offer of playing your guitar but I would have been more excited if you had acquired a Jimmy Moon mandolin! Only kidding ……………or am I?
Lazzara in Via Dei Leoni
While trying (unsuccessfully) to extricate Ross, Bruce and Gordon from their apartment in Via dei Leoni 8, I stumbled across Jamie Marie Lazzara – an amazing woman who produces customised instruments for the world’s most talented musicians in the smallest workshop I have ever seen. Please take time to view her work and I will … Continue reading
Peter (Isometric) Davies to the rescue
Thank you for repairing my trademark Ibanez A style mandolin from the 80′s – I was lost without it. The spruce top still sings sweetly and has a powerful bark when required (banjo players – watch out!) Just in time for Cambridge Folk Festival – thanks Peter
Belting Beltona
This is one of my prize possessions. A rare steel resonator mandola – one of only 150 made in the world by this company formerly based in England who have now moved to New Zealand
Oud is Good
Thanks to Elham for the latest addition on the “Ciftetelli” range – 11 strings of unfretted delight. Wish I hadn’t left it in Lebanon! Çiftetelli (Turkish: Çiftetelli: “double stringed; to move like a snake”; Greek: Τσιφτετέλι, tsiftetelli; Armenian: Ծիւտետեղի, dzivdedeghi) is a dance of Turkish origin, that is found in most of the territories and … Continue reading
The Day The Mandolin Died!
I should have been devastated on that warm afternoon I stepped out of the conservatory balancing my A5 on chair loaded with strings, pliers cutters, straw hat, radio and a cold drink to enjoy a warm sunny afternoon as I restrung my mandolin prior to our planned recording session. The sound of wood hitting stone … Continue reading
