Weird...Expensive. Unusual.....???? April Fools or real?
www.mandolincafe.com/news/publish/mandolins_001339.shtml
From Mandolin Cafe
Builder News
The Collings Fretless Bass Mandolin
By Mandolin Cafe
April 1, 2011 - 6:00 am
Collings Fretless Bass Mandolin
Austin, Texas — Collings Guitars and Mandolins has announced the addition of a new member to their mandolin family of instruments, the Collings Fretless Bass Mandolin (Model BMF) with the prototype to be on display at the Summer NAMM show in Nashville, Tenn., July 21-23, 2011.
Following their A and F mandolins and newer A model mandolas, the BMF targets mandolin orchestras as well as cutting edge performers and bands looking to stand apart from the crowd with a one-of-a-kind instrument that delivers world class tone and projection the Collings family of products is known for.
"This is simply a natural progression in our mandolin family line," said Bill Collings. "Right now the plan is to turn out 2-3 of these a month until we can gauge the demand. Already word has leaked out and we've received calls for orders. However, those requests won't be addressed until after the Summer NAMM Show at which time the prototype will go to one of our prominent dealers who has expressed an interest in it.
"Some will question why we skipped from mandola to bass without covering mandocellos or octaves. The reason is that there's an immediate demand and larger market for a bass, even a bass mandolin, than say a mandocello.
"This model presented unique challenges and required a lot of research. Finding the proper wood source in the sizes needed while meeting our rigorous standards proved more difficult than anticipated, and we really wanted it to look like a big mandolin. In researching bass mandolins we felt the early builders departed too far from the basic mandolin shape and just didn't hit the mark visually. Our aim was to fix that. And yes, that is a custom mandolin styled adjustable bridge you see on the bass, crafted right here in our shop."
The Collings Fretless Bass Mandolin will retail for $15,900 including custom Collings branded soft shell insulated case manufactured by Colorado Case Company.
Specs:
Englemann spruce top
Flame Maple back, sides and neck
Satin nitrocellulose lacquer finish
Tortoise-style top binding
Tortoise Rosette and Bound Soundhole
Fretless fingerboard
Mother-of-pearl Collings logo
Bone nut
Bass violin styled radiused fingerboard
Collings original one-piece tailpiece
Custom Nickel tuners
Strings: D'Addario J79 Mandobass Copper: .049 - .130
Case: Collings branded insulated soft shell by Colorado Case Company
Optional: Collings branded Reid Hudson bass bow (contact for quote)
Additional information:
Collings web site
