Discussion:
Where to get 14-string bandurria in USA?
(too old to reply)
bayydogg
2004-04-07 23:47:40 UTC
Permalink
These are apparently exclusive to the Philippines. Does anybody know
where I can get one in the USA or buy online from a reputable party?
'Sorry, I'm not interested in the 12-string, which is readily
available.
JimLowther
2004-04-09 02:28:23 UTC
Permalink
Post by bayydogg
These are apparently exclusive to the Philippines. Does anybody know
where I can get one in the USA or buy online from a reputable party?
'Sorry, I'm not interested in the 12-string, which is readily
available.
I have two, both that I stumbled across on eBay. Both were made in the
Philippines, which is a real problem. The difference in humidity between the
Philippines and the US is really hard on these instruments. On that I have has
so many cracks on both the top and bottom plates that it may not be
economically reparable.

Have you actually played one of these? The nut width is about 1 3/4 inch, and
the width of the strings at the bridge not much more. squeezing in fourteen
strings across such a short width results in an instrument not easy to play.
Getting all fourteen intonated correctly on such a short scale (about 14
inches) is no mean t4rick either. I had actually thought of converting the
more intact instrument to something with a lower string count to make it more
playable.

Where are ou finding the "readily available" 12 stringers? I may want to pick
one up.

Best wishes,

Dr. Jim Lowther
bayydogg
2004-04-09 06:10:58 UTC
Permalink
Lark in the Morning (http://www.larkinthemorning.com) has an Esteve
12-string which is pictured here (bottom photo)
http://www.fernandezmusic.com/Bandurrias%20and%20Laudes.html and can
also be purchased directly from Fernandez music. The music I plan to
play is Filipino, and all the bandurrias in a Rondalla are 14-string.
That's apparently how to get that unique traditional Filipino sound.
Even if it might be hard to play or the wood eventually does strange
things, I still need the 14-stringer.
Post by JimLowther
Where are ou finding the "readily available" 12 stringers? I may want to pick
one up.
Best wishes,
Dr. Jim Lowther
JimLowther
2004-04-14 23:11:29 UTC
Permalink
Post by bayydogg
Lark in the Morning (http://www.larkinthemorning.com) has an Esteve
12-string which is pictured here (bottom photo)
http://www.fernandezmusic.com/Bandurrias%20and%20Laudes.html and can
also be purchased directly from Fernandez music. The music I plan to
play is Filipino, and all the bandurrias in a Rondalla are 14-string.
That's apparently how to get that unique traditional Filipino sound.
Even if it might be hard to play or the wood eventually does strange
things, I still need the 14-stringer.
Post by JimLowther
Where are ou finding the "readily available" 12 stringers? I may want to
pick
Post by JimLowther
one up.
Yes, I was hoping for a source other than Lark in the Morning.

If you get one from the Philippines you are likely to have to have it
completely rebuilt in a few years. have you looked into having a new nut cut
for a 12 string Portugese model and attemptin to fit in a couple more tunners?
I don't think the width of the fret board is any different. It may be cheaper
in the long run.

The one solid wood model I have has more cracks in the back than I can count.
I really do not know if it can be repaired. The slab cut solid top has caved
in entirely. I wouldn't think to repair it, as replacement with a better
quality top seems to me a better option.

I have another that is heavily lacquered has no cracks, but really doesn't
sound that great. I suspect that it is all ply.

I assume you have actually played one of these. tuning, compensating, and
fretting those tripple course short scale strings (along with the asymetrical
course spacing) and getting a good sound as a result is not as easy as I would
have thought.

If you should wish to try converting a Portugese instrument, I can probably
help you with the nut measurements.

Best wishes,

Dr. Jim Lowther
Joe McNamara
2004-04-15 07:55:30 UTC
Permalink
Post by bayydogg
Lark in the Morning (http://www.larkinthemorning.com) has an Esteve
12-string which is pictured here (bottom photo)
http://www.fernandezmusic.com/Bandurrias%20and%20Laudes.html and can
also be purchased directly from Fernandez music. The music I plan to
play is Filipino, and all the bandurrias in a Rondalla are 14-string.
That's apparently how to get that unique traditional Filipino sound.
Even if it might be hard to play or the wood eventually does strange
things, I still need the 14-stringer.
Post by JimLowther
Where are ou finding the "readily available" 12 stringers? I may want to
pick
Post by JimLowther
one up. >><BR><BR>
I have a 14 string bandurria, Filipino-made "Supersound" brand with gig bag.
It's a round hole, 12.5" scale. 26" long overall, 10.5" at the widest part of
the lower bout and a just under 3.25" deep. Single "bound" (looks like paint)
top and back, shaded top, looks like prolly a decal rosette, slot head. (7&7
"on a plate" 14:1 tuners look like they were made as seven string tuners). It
looks like Philippine mahogany on the inside, top is laminated as I expect the
rest of the instrument is, no top, back or side cracks beyond one 1/2" long
crack in the outer veneer on the bass side, about dead center of the side, the
halfway between the top and back, crack does not penetrate through to the
inside.
I note the join of the neck to the stacked heel has visible hairlines on both
sides of the neck, I doubt they are going anywhere.
Black dyed fingerboard, brass colored frets, plastic zero fret. I think I may
have the receipt from the Anglo whom I bought from, he purchased it in the
Philippines, evidently never played it and wanted to tell me his life story,
while I just wanted to buy his bandurria, but I digress. I can post pictures if
somebody wants to buy it. I don't play this instrument, but neck and action all
look kosher, construction leans toward the rustic and rugged inside, but it's
still quite shiny and attractive on the outside. I wouldn't know a good
sounding one from a great sounding one, but this one seems to playable with no
serious issues. Can't see or hear any loose braces. Zippered black vinyl gig
bag has handy pocket suitable for carrying your ipod or a couple of balut for
between set snacking.
I'm thinking it's a $150 instrument shipped overnight anywhere in the lower 48.
If yer interested, ***@aol.com, I'm in San Francisco. If yer not interested,
it goes back into the lot of "stuff I'm gonna get around to learning how to
play, someday"
Best
Joe

Chief Noda
2004-04-09 02:59:57 UTC
Permalink
Post by bayydogg
These are apparently exclusive to the Philippines. Does anybody know
where I can get one in the USA or buy online from a reputable party?
'Sorry, I'm not interested in the 12-string, which is readily
available.
Check Lark in the Morning

http://larkinthemorning.com/

and search for "bandurria". There are several models to choose from.

Seeing your e-mail address, I assume you live near San Francisco. Lark in
the Morning has a retail store at Fisherman's Warf. So you can just go
there and try!

Cheers
Chief
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