mandolin recommendations?

Subject: mandolin recommendations?
From: GUEST,DB in Boston
Date: 10 Jan 03 - 10:45 PM

Is anyone familiar with Tacoma mandolins?I can't afford a nice old Gibson A model,but I'm looking for something suitable for Celtic and old timey music.Recommendations?Does a Tacoma sound like a good choice? Thanks to all!

Subject: RE: mandolin recommendations?
From: Gypsy
Date: 10 Jan 03 - 10:58 PM

play it, play it, play it. Only you can tell if you like it. While the current preference seems to be all things Gibson, remember, there are an awful lot of other names in vintage instruments that are pretty nice. We have a couple of Vega's, a Stradolin, and a Harmony, all of which i would put up against a Gibson.

Subject: RE: mandolin recommendations?
From: Mooh
Date: 10 Jan 03 - 11:54 PM

The better Tacoma mandolins seemed okay to me sound-wise, and I like the offbeat design. My guess is that you'll need to play several to find one which really grabs you, and don't forget that store worn strings don't flatter an instrument much.

I've been playing a Moon mandolin for over a year now and have been more than satisfied. It's no bluegrass banjo killer, but it's great for folk, celtic, hymns, and even a bit of classical music.

The mandolin which has surprised me the most lately is a Breedlove A style, the cheaper one in fact. Not being a great fan of their guitars I was impressed with the mandolin.

Have you done a Mudcat search? We've discussed mandolins quite a bit in the past.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: mandolin recommendations?
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Jan 03 - 01:10 AM

Kentucky

Subject: RE: mandolin recommendations?
From: Áine
Date: 11 Jan 03 - 11:37 AM

Hey Mooh!

Here's a link to the mandolins on the Breedlove site -- which one is the 'cheaper' one? *BG*

Really, I'd like to know, 'cuz I might want to move on in few months to another instrument (mid-range price, no higher than $1K US). Is the Breedlove about the same in sound quality as the Moon you described as 'no bluegrass banjo killer, but it's great for folk, celtic, hymns, and even a bit of classical music'? I'm more interested in the leaving the banjos to themselves and playing the latter kinds of music that you mentioned, so that's the kind of sound I'm looking for.

All the best, Áine

Subject: RE: mandolin recommendations?
From: Mooh
Date: 11 Jan 03 - 12:33 PM

Aine...Ha ha.

Actually the Breedlove that I liked was a Quartz OF (A style with f holes). Same good quality woods and craftsmanship, just less trim and lesser hardware. My ears tell me that archtop mandolins take a bit of time to mature, so one needs to hear the potential as well as the immediate sound of the instrument if it's being bought new. I would characterize the sound as being in the same league as my flattop Moon, though it's as different as any other compared archtop and flattop. The reason I'm interested in one is for tonal variation. I figure two equally good mandolins with different tonal properties will make me happier, if not a better player.

My guess is that you'd be happy with either a Moon or Breedlove, though the latter will be easier to find. I think the website says the Quartz OF is $999US, and I know of one for $1300Cdn, sans case.

Being a great fan of the music of Simon Mayor (he normally plays a Vanden), I've developed an appreciation for that A style archtop sound.

Let me know if you buy, there aren't many of us...

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: mandolin recommendations?
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Jan 03 - 12:39 PM

Buy a kazoo instead

Subject: RE: mandolin recommendations?
From: Glen Reid
Date: 11 Jan 03 - 01:16 PM

Excuse a little shameless self promotion, but have you considered a custom built instrument?
The spec,s are to your likeing and the price can be pleasantly surprising.
www.onlink.net/~glenreid/index.html

Subject: RE: mandolin recommendations?
From: Mooh
Date: 11 Jan 03 - 04:02 PM

Glen...Do you do folk festivals as a builder anymore? You are of course quite right, and shame on us for not mentioning it sooner. In Canada at least, one off hand made instruments are a great value compared to the price of imported instruments of the same ilk. In guitars and mandolins it's possible to buy a first rate hand made instrument for no more than a run-of-the-mill Taylor or Martin. I've bought 3 guitars this way, though my first call mandolin (the Moon) is a smallish Scottish builder. From what I understand the same sort of thing applies to the UK market...don't know about south of the Canada/US border.

Aine and Guest DB...Check out Glen's instruments, or do a search here, we've talked about them before I think. You won't be disappointed.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: mandolin recommendations?
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 11 Jan 03 - 08:43 PM

I just bought my wife one of these for Christmas. I don't know a great deal about mandolins, but I thought the review was pretty darned good. We really have nothing else to compare it to, but it seems like a very nice instrument.   

Michael Kelly

Subject: RE: mandolin recommendations?
From: DG&D Dave
Date: 12 Jan 03 - 05:43 AM

I had a Harmony Arch Top for many years and was very satisified, the action was greatly improved when I changed the bridge for a Gibson. (this is a good way of getting excellent results on a budget).

Unfortunately it didn't survive dropping a melodeon player on it.

Now I have an Antoria F mandolin which I got for a bargin 350UKP about 8 years ago and would recoment to anyone.

I have looked at some hand made instruments and they are wonderful, as is the Gibson, but I would need to play professionaly at least 3 nights a week to justify the expense.

Tinkle on. Dave.

Subject: RE: mandolin recommendations?
From: GUEST,Willie-O
Date: 12 Jan 03 - 08:17 AM

Definitely check out Glen's work.

Another brand that provides truly excellent value is Trinity College.

Then there is the third option: forget about brands, forget about eBay or online sales in general. You're in a good location to do this. Comb _all_ the music stores looking for that overlooked little box with _no_ name of distinction which sings to you when you pick it up. If you focus on a mission like this you can go through 8 or 10 stores in a day, because it takes very little time to see that the one you're looking for is _not_ there.   The biggest problem with this approach is that the dusty little porkchop will probably be badly out of tune with dead strings on it.

I've been playing an el Cheapo mando since 1989 for which I paid $85 U.S. at a festival. A teardrop F-hole plywood top jobbie which is completely indestructible, comfy to play and has a nice bright sound.

But I'm still stuck on wanting the old Gibson A.


Willie-O

Subject: RE: mandolin recommendations?
From: GUEST,Davetnova
Date: 12 Jan 03 - 10:29 AM

I'm with Mooh. If you can find one give the Moon a listen. I have one the same as his and I love it. Jimmy Moon has added to his range in the last year or so and now makes a very nice oval hole two point (both on the lower edge like an f style) which is a beautiful instrument.

Subject: RE: mandolin recommendations?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 12 Jan 03 - 10:53 AM

My No 1 Mandoline is a Terry Docherty Hand Made job,which is a real beaut-Lovely tone and loud enough acousticly even for me. However my spare is an od Gianni that I picked up in a sale.that is not far short of the Docherty in every respect. So go look for the Cheapos in your area-You might just find a goody without breaking the bank.
             Best of luck

Subject: RE: mandolin recommendations?
From: Alice
Date: 12 Jan 03 - 11:57 AM

Check out Sound To Earth, Weber mandolins. CLICK HERE These people were the Gibson mandolin makers until Gibson shut down their mando division in Montana.

Alice

Subject: RE: mandolin recommendations?
From: Mooh
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 04:34 PM

Thought I'd bring this old thread back to life after getting a lot of interest in mandolins lately through my business and personal use.

The Mid-Missouri mandolins are terrific bang for the buck. Solid woods, clean construction, decent factory set-up, nice tone, and they're reasonably loud.

I still happily play the Moon but the Mid-Mo has got my attention as a second since I've been playing some mandolin with some local boys lately and would like to electrify one and have a back-up instrument.

Are there other less obvious choices since we last spoke about this?

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: mandolin recommendations?
From: mandotim
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 04:52 PM

Lots of recommendations;
Try Rigel if you want to go non-traditional. I play irish and allsorts on a Rigel A+deluxe with f-holes. Eastman (Chinese makers of killer jazz archtops) now make superb mandolins at a good price. Fylde, Sobell or Rob Armstrong in England. Best place to get info is www.Co-Mando.com or Mandolin Cafe. Weber are great. Freshwater in Scotland.
Tim

Subject: RE: mandolin recommendations?
From: Mudjack
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 07:06 PM

Celtic Cross of British Columbia makes some really nice round flat instuments at very affordable prices. There is a maker in Colubmia MO that builds these round flat shaped mandolins as well. You get a decent sounding mandolin without all the extra curve carving for tops and bottoms. I will guess for less than $500.00.
Mudjack

Subject: RE: mandolin recommendations?
From: Mooh
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 11:47 PM

I concur with mandotim, the Rigels are very nice, even the resonator one I played a few years ago.

Another thread had a link to Osborne Mandolins (Lewes, UK) which looked very appealing.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: mandolin recommendations?
From: Áine
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 12:25 AM

Hey ya'll (and a big hey to Mooh),

Sure is nice to see a mention of mandolins again on the Mudcat! ;-)

I play a Mid-Mo that I bought from fellow Mucatter, Wesley S.; a beautiful instrument with a very sweet sound. My main squeeze is the mandolin that my father-in-law made for me, in the style of a Gibson F (Loar). I love them both. Very, very different sounds from them. The Mid-Mo is perfect for my Irish music and the Italian folk songs that I love to play (wonderful for tremelos), and my homemade mandolin pretty much takes on everything else in sweet style.

All the best, Áine

Subject: RE: mandolin recommendations?
From: Spot
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 04:25 AM

Hello all....
                  Guest DB in Boston, go to www.oakwoodinstruments.co.uk (I think thats right!)   Buy a rosewood/spruce teardrop special for around £500 - mine is bloody wonderful.Perfect for Celtic and session work. Or pay a fortune for a Collings MT2..equally wonderful but a totally different animal.....Then stick a Tone Guard on the back and blow everything away!!!

                Regards to all....Spot

Subject: RE: mandolin recommendations?
From: moocowpoo
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 09:03 AM

I have had a peter coombe mando for years http://coombemandolins.bigpondhosting.com/
Peter's mandolins are based on the Gibson A model..
I have tried about 10 Gibson A's over the years, They're lovely mandos but, I never found one nicer than than mine (comparable to, but not nicer).....they're also cheaper!!
Peter also seems to be doing a lot of international business these days too..
Moo

Subject: RE: mandolin recommendations?
From: van lingle
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 10:27 AM

I don't think anyone mentioned Davy Stuart. I've got one of his Octave Mandos and it was an incredible bargain at about $1200. His Mandos I believe are in the $900 range.
I'll second that Trinity college recommedation the mandos and mandolas I've played are scary good for the $. vl

Subject: RE: mandolin recommendations?
From: Davetnova
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 04:11 AM

If anyones looking for something cheap and different look at Antonio Tsai many of his mandolins are totally over the top for decoration, but I bought a violin shaped one purely because I thought it looked amazing and was very pleasantly surprised when I played it.