Instruments available now

Octave Mandolin specification:

Soundboard:  German Spruce
Back and sides:  Indian rosewood, other woods optional
Fingerboard and bridge:  Ebony
Neck: mahogany, Wengé optional
Frets:  Jescar gold
Binding and trim:  Rosewood with coloured purfling and Birdsfoot
Tailpiece:  Brass
Tuners:  Gotoh gold minis
Strap buttons: Gold plated as standard
Lacquer:  Acid catalyst melamine
Body width:  Large body 15.3″ Small body 14.2″
Scale:  23″

Robin Bullock in his review of a Sobell bouzouki tried to describe the sound of my instruments. In effect, he said they are different and special.  See his review at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDAPY-ujIQ

The Octave Mandolin is a shorter scale bouzouki but otherwise identical. It comes in an adapted guitar case.

For more information or any queries, email stefan@sobellguitars.com or telephone me on +44 (0)7740 600 282

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I’ve had a series of Model 1 guitars come in for re-frets over the last year or two, mostly Model 1 Sicilian guitars and some of the original Model 1. Dating mostly from the 1990s, so now well played in, I was struck by how good they sound.

Aware that the quality of Indian rosewood was becoming variable, in the 1990s and very early 2000s I selected and bought a stock to set aside. I visited suppliers in person and was careful to select only the best. It’s now twenty to thirty years old, we are fortunate to be able to build new Sicilians with such special wood.

We have built two Sicilians now, both of which are available; the first is photographed here. The price for each is £8,500.

More will be available to order.  Those of us who remember Martin Simpson’s guitar sound when he first played my guitars in the mid 1980s will recognise it immediately.  My later guitars have developed their own character, but the original Model 1 was, and still is, special.

Model 1 history

The  Model 1 was my first flat-top guitar and was built in 1983.  I had previously built several arch-tops (the first of which I still have), but the Model 1 quickly became my standard guitar.

When Martin Simpson first came to visit, he loved the early Model 1 I showed him and took it with him, planning to use it on his next album. He was on his way to a Scottish tour, but said he wouldn’t play the Model 1 in public until he was used to it.

I later met a member of the audience present at the first date of Martin’s tour; he told me Martin had played the Model 1 throughout the gig.  Martin clearly just couldn’t resist.

I’m not sure which album he was planning, but the guitar is shown on his 1989 album ‘Leaves of Life’ below.

Above and left, Martin with his Model 1 in the early to mid 80s, looking about twelve years old.

For more information about the Model 1 Sicilian, email stefan@sobellguitars.com or call me on +44 (0)7740 600 282

Incidentally, after using a variety of guitars over the last few years, Martin is now playing his 40th Anniversary Sobell on gigs.  Soundmen everywhere tell him it has the best amplified acoustic guitar sound they have ever heard.