Provost Algerian Mandole 2008 Natural

Up for sale is my Algerian Mandole, built in Paris by Romuald Provost for an Algerian friend of mine.

Most people in the US are not familiar with the Algerian Mandole. It is an instrument peculiar to Algerian culture. It is, in its essence, an adaptation of the mandocello. It is traditionally strung with 4 pair of strings, tuned (from the deepest to the highest pitch) DD AA dd gg. This particular instrument is a more modern version of the instrument, favored by Chaabi and Rai musicians, and it features 5 pair of strings, and two ¼ tone frets. (Algerian classical music does not have ¼ tones.) This instrument is typically tuned DD AA dd gg c’c’.

The sound and playability of this instrument are both quite spectacular. I have owned a number of modern and traditional Mandoles over the past decade, and this is the best-sounding and best-playing of them all.

So, why am I selling it? I have been working hard to “thin the herd”, and just don’t play enough Algerian music to justify it. Also, my Mandole teacher lives 1000 miles away from me, and I just don’t have the time or energy to study the instrument any more. (There is also the matter of needing money to do some work on my house, but that is secondary in my twisted little brain.)

The neck is Walnut. The fingerboard and bridge are Ebony. The top is Western Red Cedar. The back, sides and headstock overlay are Macassar Ebony. The nut is bone.

The tuning machines are the least “fancy” aspect of this otherwise remarkable instrument. Getting tuning machines in 5-on-a-plate configuration is dicey. You either get rather affordable and functional machines like these, or you have a set custom-made in Italy or Germany, and spend $1500 to $2000 for the machines alone, which was not an option for this instrument, as it would have gone WAY over-budget.

I have played with many different sting gauges and types on this particular instrument. The Algerian players I know tend to favor French-made Savarez “Argentine” gypsy-jazz guitar strings, but I find them a bit too high in tension, and too dull in sound. This is a set of my own composition, made from d’Addario singles, as follows: 0.049” Phosphor Bronze (x2), 0.032” Phosphor Bronze (x2), 0.024” Phosphor Bronze (x2), 0.019” Nickel Wound (x2) and 0.013” Plain. To me, they sound and feel fantastic on this particular instrument.

It came to me in a gig bag, which did not provide very good protection, and I was amazed that it survived the trip from France. I am selling it with an Eastman hard-shell guitar case, which actually fits it very well, and provides quite good protection.

The instrument has a 26" scale length and a 1 9/16" nut width. The body is 14 1/2" wide and 4” deep at the end block. Action at the octave fret is an easy 6/64" on all strings. The neck is straight as can be with less than 1/64" relief. The truss rod has lots of room to move in either direction, should you want to put heavier or lighter strings on it. There are no high frets, buzzes, dips or twists. The instrument is in absolutely perfect playing condition.

As you can see from the photos, the finish has a bit of “crazing”, mostly from temperature and humidity changes. There are a few superficial dings in the top and one in the side, but none of them have damaged the wood or the structure of the instrument in any way, and they can all be made to disappear by a skilled finish person. I can recommend a few, should you wish to go that route. I, for one, do not mind a bit of “character” in my instruments.

To hear a sound clip I recorded of this delightful Mandole, please click the SoundCloud link. I used two microphones set about 18” apart, in front of the instrument. There are no effects. To get the best possible idea of the instrument’s sound and “presence”, I recommend listening with headphones or very good speakers. The recording was done at my desk, and does not do justice to the instrument, but it gives you an idea of the ballpark we are talking about.

This instrument cost around $5000 to have built in 2008, and would be closer to $6500 to have it made today.

The instrument comes with a 48-hour approval period. If, within the 48-hour period, you decide that it is not for you, simply return it to me in the same condition as I sent it out, with full insurance, and I will refund your purchase price, minus shipping to you. Buyer pays return shipping.

TERMS, PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: Buyer pays selling price plus shipping and insurance. I typically ship with USPS or FedEx, though other arrangements can be made at the buyer's request. No fee is charged for packing or handling. I will gladly ship anywhere in the world, but beware, international shipping charges can be steep, and the buyer is responsible for all duties, taxes, VAT, brokerage and storage fees on their end. Please contact me with any questions.