THE TIPLE : where can I get one?

[silverslider]

Hi all

Having seen many acoustic folk/blues acts live, often as an addition to their arsenal of instruments they have the 10-stringed instrument, known as a 'tiple', for variation. I understand that they are played like a ukulele, but does anyone have any idea where I could get one? Having looked on ebay, there are several train wreck/restoration jobs in America.
Does anyone know of anywhere they can be bought new?

Thanks
the slider

[colinbrooks]

There are new 12 string tiples for about €800ish at

www.musicalia.it

These seem to be modeled on trad. S. American instruments.

There is a Yasuma 10 string on Canadian ebay now. They were a good Japanese copy of the classic Martin tiple. That one is well worth watching. Probably a much better bet than the Regal 'trainwrecks'. Regals crop up under many names and I think some were imported to the UK named 'Michigan'.

STOP PRESS. I just checked

www.fleamarketmusic.com/marketplace/default.asp

and there is a Martin T-17, 1963, tiple being offered for $650.00.

Good luck in your search, Colin Brooks

[silverslider]

Hi Colin

Many thanks for the links, I think that price-wise the Martin would be out of my league once shipping, customs fees etc are taken into account. Nice axe though!

I also found this on ebay:
cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tiple-ukulele-guitar-Lonestar-solid-cedar-top-NEW-NICE_W0QQitemZ7409389520QQcategoryZ16224QQssPageNameZWD2VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Which looks interesting.

Cheers
the slider

.

[Mairena Red]

Hi Silverslider,

I too am a fan of the tiple, though I prefer the Colombian 12 string version to the US 10 string version made by Martin and others. The Colombian version is strung in four groups of three and is tuned DGBE from the ceiling to the floor (identical to the top four strings of a guitar in standard tuning). It has a wonderfully bright jangly sound which would probably appeal to Roger McGuinn. There is a raft of traditional Colombian music out there, but if you want to hear a tiple played in a more modern context, Richard Bennett plays one on "Postcards from Paraguay" on Mark Knopfler's most recent solo album, Shangri-La.

If you are looking for a new instrument, try Andean Wind Instruments on www.rumillajta.com. They sell Garcia Zapata tiples in a variety of tonewoods (Sitka spruce tops, rosewood or European maple backs and sides) for around 650 USD + shipping costs. They look very nice from the photos.

If you are after a Martin tiple, try www.coconutgrovemusic.com. They have a nice looking original Martin but you have to call for the price (which probably means it will be expensive).

Finally, I can also recommend the "Método Completo de Tiple" by Maestro Elkin Pérez Alvarez with an introduction by Luis Pérez Gutiérrez, former Education Secretary for the City of Medellín (Colombia) and current candidate for the mayor of the city. You will have to learn Spanish to understand it but, hey, that's a small price to pay for authenticity

Happy hunting,

Joe (aka Mairena Red)

[silverslider]

Hi Joe & Colin

I got the 10-string Yasuma tiple on ebay. What a great little instrument! Now I need to clean it, up suss out the best string gauges etc. Just so's I could play it I made up a hybrid set from my spare mando banjo guitar strings, having referenced GHS tiple strings, but I may put lighter octave strings and go for the higher octave option.

Will post some pics soon.

silverslider