Stunning Australian Hand-Made Mandolin

A beautiful Australian hand-made mandolin by the top luthier Peter Coombe. He is one of the best, if not THE best, luthiers in Australia.

The woods in this mandolin are;

top - Engelmann Spruce

Back, sides and neck - Tasmanian Blackwood

Fingerboard and bridge and headstock overlay - Ebony

Bindings - Indian Rosewood

Absolutely beautiful sound.

So why am I selling it?

I have received a large vet bill after our 3 year old male cats needed emergency surgery as he couldn't wee. This can kill a male cat in 24 hours so I had no choice.

Look up Peter Coombe to read the comments about him and the quality of his instruments.

Buying this now means you have no duty or VAT to pay either, and you dont need to go onto his waiting list.

He makes fantastic instruments.

It will come with a hard case too.

AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF AUSTRALIAN MANDOLINS OFF THE INTERNET

Australian-made mandolins are widely considered exceptional.

Australia has a thriving community of expert luthiers (like Andrew Tatnell, Peter Coombe, and Dunn Mandolins) who handcraft instruments praised globally for their rich tone, volume, and use of highly figured, ethically sourced native timbers

Why Australian-Made Stands Out?

Unique Native Timbers: Many builders use indigenous tone woods like Tasmanian Blackwood (which sounds remarkably similar to Hawaiian Koa), King Billy Pine, and Tiger Myrtle. These woods produce a uniquely rich, woody sound and offer stunning, one-of-a-kind visual aesthetics.

Hand-Carved Quality: Instead of mass-produced factory lines, Australian builders typically craft in small batches. They carve both the soundboard and the back by hand for maximum resonance and sustain.

High Resale Value: Because these instruments are rare, meticulously built, and highly respected, they tend to hold their value (and sometimes appreciate) much better than factory imports.

Things to Keep in Mind

Higher Price Point: Hand-built Australian mandolins are premium instruments. They do not compete with entry-level, mass-produced imports (like an Eastman or Kentucky), and generally require a larger financial investment.

Different Sonic Character: Instruments made with Australian timbers will sound a bit different from traditional American styles (like a Spruce/Maple Gibson). It isn't a "worse" sound, but rather a unique voice that is highly prized by folk and acoustic players.

Top Australian Luthiers

If you are looking to invest, some of the most highly regarded Australian builders include:Peter Coombe: Known for experimenting with Australian woods to create exceptional tonal qualities.