View Profile: allenhopkins - Mandolin Cafe Forum

Jun-26-2022, 11:37am

allenhopkins replied to a thread Heavy-duty gigbag for Bouzouki in CBOM

I have a Deering gig bag for long-neck banjo that accommodates a Stelling resonator pot; might handle the 'zouk.

8 replies | 275 view(s)

Jun-24-2022, 10:49am

allenhopkins replied to a thread Advice on purchasing my next mandolin(s) in General Mandolin Discussions

To paraphrase the Furry Freak Brothers, mandolins will get ya through times of no money, better than money will get ya through times of...

31 replies | 1397 view(s)

Jun-23-2022, 8:36pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread My banjo killer (is not a mandolin) in General Mandolin Discussions

A Stihl chain saw.

21 replies | 1248 view(s)

Jun-23-2022, 8:33pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Mandolin Rental in General Mandolin Discussions

You can get an acceptable Asian plywood student mandolin for $65. Even if you have to pay another $50 to get it properly set up (you can also do...

5 replies | 576 view(s)

Jun-23-2022, 8:24pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Advice on purchasing my next mandolin(s) in General Mandolin Discussions

You want two mandolins. Period. End of discussion. Not gonna find one that has a "bluegrass" sound, and a sound like an old A-4. You'll end...

31 replies | 1397 view(s)

Jun-21-2022, 11:35am

allenhopkins replied to a thread Regal Octofone in eBay, Craig's List, etc.

My Octofone came in a cheap cardboard guitar case; no way to tell if it was originally sold that way, or acquired it over the years. Great...

6 replies | 402 view(s)

Jun-21-2022, 11:29am

allenhopkins replied to a thread Vintage KAY Mandolin in eBay, Craig's List, etc.

Completely opposite ends of the mandolin spectrum -- from the sublime to the ridiculous... Interesting, the faux resonator instruments that keep...

8 replies | 435 view(s)

Jun-21-2022, 11:13am

allenhopkins replied to a thread Clip On Tuners / What Cha Got ? in General Mandolin Discussions

Using D'Addario micros now, and generally satisfied. On the back of the headstock, they're generally shaded enough so I can read 'em outdoors. ...

49 replies | 1663 view(s)

Jun-20-2022, 12:03pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Gibson Must Now Face Antitrust Litigation in Heritage Case in General Mandolin Discussions

When Takamine guitars first hit America, they were stone copies of Martins, down to the typeface of the headstock decals. After a few years they...

64 replies | 4582 view(s)

Jun-20-2022, 11:39am

allenhopkins replied to a thread One of Mr. Stillion's products on sale at Bernunzio's in Four, Five and Eight-String Electrics

Sold now.

5 replies | 717 view(s)

Jun-19-2022, 7:56pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Kent 836 in Looking for Information About Mandolins

I have a vague memory of being told that Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown played one of these. Can't find any evidence to substantiate it, though.

10 replies | 385 view(s)

Jun-19-2022, 10:03am

allenhopkins replied to a thread Trying to get info on my mandolins in Looking for Information About Mandolins

There's a similar Sigma Style A clone for sale here for $500, which I would consider optimistic. Sigmas, when Martin owned the brand, were pretty...

25 replies | 957 view(s)

Jun-19-2022, 9:50am

allenhopkins replied to a thread A likely contentious opinion on electric mandolins in General Mandolin Discussions

Hey, ya can't peddle that stuff 'round here...!

96 replies | 18943 view(s)

Jun-18-2022, 1:36pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Gibson Must Now Face Antitrust Litigation in Heritage Case in General Mandolin Discussions

So: Gibson gonna come after all the companies and individual luthiers who build F-style mandolins, next? Surely a "distinctive silhouette," and...

64 replies | 4582 view(s)

Jun-18-2022, 1:31pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread HELP! I'm Running Sound For the (sort've) First Time in General Mandolin Discussions

I've provided sound system support for many gigs over the years, though only on "ancient" equipment (that I own). Don't even own a laptop, shows you...

19 replies | 906 view(s)

Jun-18-2022, 1:10pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Fan to cool the band in Equipment

Reminds me of the late Bill Staines's anecdote about the Texas coffeehouse where he had to tune to the pervasive drone from the air conditioner. ...

14 replies | 635 view(s)

Jun-18-2022, 1:02pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread bridge recommendations for a Weymann mandolute in Builders and Repair

As I recall the mandolute I used to own had a bridge that was similar to the long, thin, low, non-adjustable bridges normally found on bowl-backs. ...

5 replies | 316 view(s)

Jun-14-2022, 4:58pm

allenhopkins started a thread One of Mr. Stillion's products on sale at Bernunzio's in Four, Five and Eight-String Electrics

Browsing through John B's latest e-newsletter, saw this one up for sale; "made by Martin Stillion w/ help by Andrew Jerman," according to the blurb. ...

5 replies | 717 view(s)

Jun-13-2022, 9:25pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Earplugs for loud session? in Equipment

I remember going to a Battlefield Band concert where the band played a number, while the piper was tuning up in a closed room behind the stage, and...

25 replies | 991 view(s)

Jun-11-2022, 3:09pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Double-sided, double-necked violin in eBay, Craig's List, etc.

Played one of those once; worst-sounding mandolin and ukulele I've played, as I remember, and the neck fretted on both sides was tres uncomfortable...

14 replies | 904 view(s)

Jun-11-2022, 2:44pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Replating a vintage National mandolin in Vintage Instruments

Page 52: "All styles were nickel-plated, except Triolians, Duolians, and wood body models." Expect that includes Style 1's. My 1930's Style 0...

20 replies | 795 view(s)

Jun-10-2022, 12:53pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Replating a vintage National mandolin in Vintage Instruments

The topic sent me to the late Bob Brozman's The History & Artistry of National Resonator Instruments to try to research National's construction and...

20 replies | 795 view(s)

Jun-07-2022, 12:05pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Identify a Tater Bug Mandolin in Looking for Information About Mandolins

I'm hypothesizing that some material was added under the bridge to make fuller contact with the flat top of the mandolin, since the bridge looks like...

17 replies | 700 view(s)

Jun-07-2022, 11:58am

allenhopkins replied to a thread Best source for a custom gig bag for a mandobass? in General Mandolin Discussions

I had Blue Heron make me a bag for my Larson Bros. Stahl mando-bass. Very satisfied. Cost was $544 including shipping in 2018.

3 replies | 302 view(s)

Jun-05-2022, 11:27pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Bourgeois Mandolins! in General Mandolin Discussions

Comes the Revolution, Bourgeois mandolins will be replaced by Proletarian mandolins. Only available in one style, ten-year wait for delivery, made...

48 replies | 4176 view(s)