Thomas Buchanan

Welcome to the Thomas Buchanan web site.

Thomas Buchanan is currently based in Inverness building individually crafted instruments, including harps, dulcimers, acoustic guitars and hurdy gurdys for musicians all over the Scotland and beyond. Over the past few years he has been working on designs for the mandolin family, and has successfully developed a range of unique instruments which have become very popular with Celtic musicians. They are constructed from solid timber throughout and finished in a high gloss lacquer. Thomas uses carefully selected spruce and cedar for soundboards, and offers mahogany, maple, walnut and rosewood amongst the choices of timber available for ribs and backs. He selects materials that can create a whole range of styles and tonal qualities. Talking to Thomas will ensure an instrument that will fit all your requirements.

We would like you to take a little time to consider owning a handcrafted instrument from our range of unique designs.

We have 2 price levels . Standard, and deluxe to help you find the instrument you require in a range to suit your taste, and pocket.

If you would like a little extra help or further information you can e-mail Romi or Thomas .

Work Information
Testimonials
Contact Information
Price list

Work Information

The business is run by Thomas and his partner Romi. We do everything, including this site. We live in the heart of the Highlands with the workshop in Inverness city centre. Thomas constructs the instruments at the rear of a local stone mason and Romi runs the office from our home, making sure everything runs smoothly.

Talk to or e-mail Romi who will let you know about current availability

Testimonials

Who owns a Thomas Buchanan instrument?

Well below we compiled a list of some of our customers with some comments we extracted using medieval torture instruments. ( Only kidding.) You might like to try the links. There is some fantastic music by these artists.

Brendan Õregan; Probably best known for his association with Irish band The Waterboys. Brendan is a highly talented musician , producing his own works and appearing on many well known works by major artists. He owns a bouzouki and mandolin. Brendan Õregan;Samadhi

"I play a Thomas Buchanan mandolin and have used it on various recordings. I find the tone of this particular mandolin absolutely brilliant, with an action to die for. You can hear it on Sharon Shannon's Diamond Mountain Sessions, on the John Prine song with the man himself!!! Check out the sound of TB's mandolin there."

Phil Cunningham M.B.E.; At the forefront of traditional music for many years. He has used his mandolin on many recordings made at his studio since he acquired it in 1999. http://www.philcunningham.com/

Steve McGrail I met Steve in his capacity as a freelance journalist writing for Living Tradition. I was pleased to be included as part of a series of articles he was writing on musical instrument makers. He owns a mandolin, a 500m octave mandola and a tenor mandola. Which he has collected over the years. http://www.folkmusic.net

Steve also writes for FRoots, The Journal of Music in Ireland, and Irish Music.

"These instruments are a delight to play, the fixed bridge giving wonderful sustain and an easy action. I like Tom's philosophy, too, of keeping the price down by not putting too much fancy decoration on them Ð since decoration never made an instrument sound better! "

Steve

Martin Stephenson; Famous for his most excellent work with the Dainties in the 80s, Martin is a folk singer with real soul. He has a mandolin.http://www.daintees.com/

Aaron Enstad; : "A beautiful work of art that I've have enjoyed everyday since it has arrived. A joy to play. The mandolin has a sweet clear tone with wonderful sustain."

Mark Vaillancourt; Session player based in California USA

"Hello Thomas, I absolutely love this Mandola.
You have a really done a fine job. I did not really no what to expect, buying a instrument sight unseen and not heard. I am really thrilled with this mandola."

"My friend from Nashville happened to be visiting and he will be placing an order too. He loves it too.
Well thank you very much for a fine job. You will be hearing from me soon."

Dane Tyson View Dane's Octave Mandola Together with dane's excellent collection of mandos

Brian Condon member of The Da Capo Alba orchestra.(http://www.dacapoalba.co.uk/

"I am really delighted with your mandola, it has fantastic tone and action and it is wonderfully light in weight with a fine finish.It has drawn many admiring comments from the other orchestra members. I wish you and your website every success."

Dagger Gordon. When it comes to Highland mandolin. Dagger is without a doubt The Real thing. Black Donald, Highland Mandolin, Frozen River.

Contact Information

Postal Address

1 Manse Place. Inverness.

Scotland. IV1 1JY. UK.

Telephone.............. +44 (0)7836703179

E-mail ...................tbluthier@aol.com.

Price list

Instrument	Standard	Deluxe
Mandolin	£489	£749
Tenor Mandola	£589	£879
Octave Mandola	£599	£927
Bouzouki	£699	£1080
Cittern "355"	£686	£1034
Cittern "500"	£834	£1149
Cittern "635"	£990	£1280

(Prices may be subject to change without prior notice)

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Additional payments

As instruments are built to order a deposit of 30% is required, before work commences. We also offer the option of having a stereo pick-up installed. This upgrade has an additional cost of £40.

The instruments listed above do not come with cases. Gig bags or hardshell cases can be supplied at an extra cost. The price above does not include shipping, insurance or packaging. Delivery can be 8 to 12 weeks from confirmation of your order, unless you are buying from stocks currently available.