Buying my first mandolin.

[Jack Campin]

I tried to find good music shops in Barcelona and didn't have much luck. There was a small one (Mozart?) on the Ramblas whose main thing was sheet music - they knew what they were doing but didn't have many instruments. And a much larger one between the Ramblas and the university which was thoroughly unhelpful (much like our local music-shop-from-hell in Edinburgh, Varsity Music). So if you find one I'd like to know, as I expect I'll be back there some day.

I have five cats. This is one who got run over a couple of years ago:

http://www.campin.me.uk/Cats/SplodgeWithUd.jpg

[Anotinia]

(14-04-2012 09:23 PM)Jack Campin Wrote:  I tried to find good music shops in Barcelona and didn't have much luck. There was a small one (Mozart?) on the Ramblas whose main thing was sheet music - they knew what they were doing but didn't have many instruments. And a much larger one between the Ramblas and the university which was thoroughly unhelpful (much like our local music-shop-from-hell in Edinburgh, Varsity Music). So if you find one I'd like to know, as I expect I'll be back there some day.

I have five cats. This is one who got run over a couple of years ago:

http://www.campin.me.uk/Cats/SplodgeWithUd.jpg

I was thinking of looking for shops on Google. I suppose there are a lot of music shops in Barcelona, but I don't know where. I'll tell you if I find any big one.
I'm sorry about your cat, it looks very cute on that photo.
BTW, mine like violin cases too.
http://www.caad.es/jenesis/store/lucas.png

[Sean Cannon]

well im going to put my two penneth worth in and say ive got an inexpensive f hole A style tanglewood union series and after a good set up costing less than thirty quid ( i am a total novice so you might be able to save there as you know the kung fu of unfixed bridges being a fiddle player) was reassured that it was a bloody good choice by the luthier for a beginner mandolin i opted for a internet music shop here in the UK called Eagle music and purchased the starter pack for less than £160 i hope this helps some

[Ray(T)]

To avoid any confusion, Sean; Eagle Music is not only a internet music shop. Whilst they do a fair bit on line, they also have a real shop (about 20 miles from where I live) which has a reasonable selection of instruments. Unfortunately, they're not that easy to get to if you don't have a car and they tend to specialise in b*$jos. Apart from that they do a "pick-your-own-gauge" service for mandolin/octave mandolin strings which can be useful.

[Sean Cannon]

yes i should have mentioned they are also a real come in and meet shop . i was giving them a bit of gratuitous advertising because they helped me out with my starter mandolin and even answered the most basic questions non patronizing over the phone. i would love to visit the shop but having to rely on buses im afraid i wouldnt get the chance , i recieved my mandolin all set up and ready to play with spare strings , picks , books , tuner also bag , it was the first time i had been internet shopping as i tend to shy away from computers and giving my bank details but they have increased my trust ( as long as my missus checks the site first )