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Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.mandohangout.com/archive/29402
TSSN - Posted - 08/03/2012: 04:02:26
I spotted at this at a local music store for USD90.00. I instantly seized on it and was almost as quickly disappointed.
But I realized also that I had not heard of Ventura Bruno before. Any intel?
Ben Venuti - Posted - 08/03/2012: 09:15:30
Bruno is an old,old name in fretted instruments and actually had an early partnership or arrangement with Martin). That mandolin looks new. Since the "retro" fad started a lot of those old names have reappeared -(Recording King, JB Player etc ) most, if not all, are manufactured in China. If a retail store sold it for $90 what do you think they paid? If a Gilchrist costs $25,000 and somewhere the rules of "You get what you pay for." do apply ---what's 90 bucks going to get you?
TSSN - Posted - 08/03/2012: 10:18:51
That's what I figured. It didn't look old at all. It sounded dull, the action was awful, and that fretboard extension half covering the sound hole just got in the way of the pick. It only took about 15 seconds of that messed up Morse Code to dissuade me. The thought of serious purchase never crossed my mind.
jgarber - Posted - 12/20/2012: 07:25:30
A quick look: it resembles some of the Suzuki mandolins which also were imported under a number of other names including Kingston and Conqueror and prob a bunch of others. Most I see of that style were made in the 1970s. They are all right but a little heavily built. Price looks reasonable. Unlike vintage bowlbacks, you might try std heavier strings like J-74s on it and see how it stands up and sounds.
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