The Celtic Spirit

With an ever increasing market for quality hand made instruments Paul Evans has introduced the ‘Celtic Spirit’ range which is a ‘no frills but all the trills’ mandolin. They are exactly the same build as the fancy custom models and sound the same but basically don’t have the fancy trim added. They are incredible value for an Irish hand crafted instrument and in my opinion the best currently on offer from any European maker, even the machine heads are top quality geared type.

The Celtic spirit range of instruments including mandolin, octave mandolin and bouzouki are totally hand crafted solely by Paul Evans with no use of cnc machinery. These instruments offer great sound, build quality, and playability.  Each hand crafted mandolin is totally bespoke to your order, made from imported American solid timbers giving you the customer a choice of wood builds. As an example you can have a Celtic Spirit with European spruce top, with mahogony back and sides and black tuners. Or you can have a cedar top with sapele back and sides and black or gold plated tuners. Upgrades are also available at a minimum cost using more expensive woods  i.e. cedar top with walnut back and sides (50 euros extra) western red ceder top with maple or rosewood back and sides (100 euros extra).

2017 Prices

1. Celtic Spirit Mandolin………. €699
2. Celtic Spirit Octave Mandolin………. €899

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1928 Bacon & Day Silver Bell N0.2 four string tenor banjo made in Groton, CT. The Bacon and Day company was the collaboration of David Day, former plant manager of the Vega Banjo Company and Fred Bacon. Designed for their cutting power in the 1920’s jazz era, they are loud, but have great tone. This Silver Bell has an ivoroid bound 23″ scale figured maple 5 piece neck and maple resonator finished in a beautiful sunburst finish. The neck is 100% straight with low playing action with hardly any wear to frets. Ivoroid-bound extended fretboard has 19 frets up to the rim and 5 frets extended over the skin. The ebony fingerboard has varied mother of pearl inlays,  and “B&D / SILVER / BELL” and fancy pearl leaf inlays on headstock overlay. It weighs in at 8.2 pounds. The overall lacquer finish to the neck and resonator are in excellent condition for an instrument of its age as is the polished nickel plated metal parts, White Lady tone ring, 24 brackets, Oettinger adjustable fingers tailpiece, and an eye catching f hole flange. 5 star geared tuners with ivoroid buttons. The nickel plated flange, hooks & nuts are in mint condition including the arm rest.
This banjo has the serial number 25232 which dates the instrument build to 1928. There is a beautiful tone to this banjo and the action is set low perfect for playing Irish trad or jazz. Comes with original vintage B&D hard shell case with plush inner green velvet interior and leather carrying handle. A great classy collectable tenor banjo for you to own and treasure.

For Sale £1650