Definition: played with the thumbs; "thumb piano"; its sound is produced by the vibration of tongues of metal or wood; small in size. Known as Mbira in Zimbabwe, Budongo in Uganda and Sansa and in South Africa. It is also known as Kalimba.
Hobgoblin specialises in Mandolins. We have flat tops, arch tops, electrics and acoustics in many styles. Blue Moon is great value for beginners, Ashbury is our own brand designed and built specially for us to suit our folk musician customers. We have US designed Kentucky arch-top mandolins and many more besides.
We offer Mandolas from British makers Buchanan and Fylde, our own brands Blue Moon and British designed Ashbury plus instruments from Carvalho in Portugal. We stock Mandolas (tuned CGDA like a viola) and Octave Mandolas (tuned one octave below a mandolin) We occasionally see Mandocellos too.
Hobgoblin has a great selection of Bouzoukis. We offer flat back 8 string Bouzoukis from British makers Buchanan and Fylde, our own brands - Blue Moon and British designed Ashbury - plus instruments from Carvalho in Portugal. We also stock traditional bowl-back Sakis instruments from Greece.
We stock handmade Carvalho guitarras from Portugal (12 strings) and 5 course 10 sting Citterns by Ashbury (designed by Phil Davidson) and Fylde in all our shops.
Ukuleles have become massively popular in the last few years and they make a great fun, versatile and affordable instrument to play. Hobgoblin has been selling ukes since 1976 and we have a huge range to offer from fun budget models to our own brand Ashbury ukes which are among the very best anywhere and feature Aquila strings and solid wood construction.
This section includes all the less common type of fretted instrument. We've got Appalachian Dulcimers, Strumsticks from the USA; Ouds from Turkey, Ruan from China, plus Balalaikas from Romania and Cuatros de Puerto Rico.
We always keep a good stock or 5-string banjos, open-back and with resonator. Our best-selling Ashbury range has something for every player, The Blue Moon is a great starter instrument and we have a good range of US made Deerings as well.
Tenor banjos are great for Irish and Celtic tunes and also for Trad Jazz and other rhythm styles. Hobgoblin always have a good range of these from Blue Moon, Ashbury, Deering and plenty of secondhand and vintage examples too.
Several other types of banjo exist, the most popular are the Ukulele Banjo as popularised by George Formby, the Mandolin Banjo (or Banjolin), Plectrum or 4 string G Banjo, and there is even a Guitar Banjo, which makes the banjo sound available to all guitarists.
The Celtic Harp or Clarsach is almost unchanged since the 11th century. The famous Brian Boru harp has the same shape as the harps we sell today. Early celtic harps had bodies carved from solid wood, and brass strings, and only played in one key. Nowadays it is usual to use a softwood soundboard, and Nylon strings, and there are semitone levers for changing key. The concert harp developed from the Celtic Harp and features increased tension, more notes, and pedals.
The Autoharp is currently easily the most popular instrument in the zither family, while the cymbala sounds great and is a perfect way for children to learn to make music. We stock Autoharps, Cymbalas, Appalachian Dulcimers, Hammered Dulcimers and Psalteries in all the shops.
