Caroline Lacombe Mandola 2014 - Natural

For sale: a mandola crafted by luthier Caroline Lacombe in 2014.

This is a unique, handcrafted instrument, created by Caroline in Barcelona—no two are alike. It features a solid spruce top with solid East Indian rosewood back and sides. Over the years, the wood has matured, and the instrument now sounds even better than when it was new.

Caroline’s instruments are highly regarded within the Irish and folk music communities.

It comes with new strings and includes a hard case (which alone retails for €90 at Thomann).

The mandola is a somewhat unconventional member of the mandolin family; it is tuned a fifth lower (C, G, D, A)—the same tuning relationship as that of a viola and a violin. This produces a warmer tone than a standard mandolin, without requiring any changes to your fingering technique. For mandolin players, it offers a new tonal color to expand their sonic palette.

Mandolas are quite rare, especially one of this quality at this price point—particularly considering it is a luthier-made instrument, not a mass-produced piece from Asia. I am asking for one-third of what it would cost to commission one from Caroline today (not to mention the long wait times involved).