Mandola Sounds?

I’ve been playing mandolin on and off for 50 years but 3years or so ago, I bought a mandola. I have a selection of mandolins to go at, they all sound different but I know the sound I’m looking for and each has it’s place.

Unfortunately, I can’t say that with the mandola. I only have one, I have nothing to compare it to and, in reality, I’ve no idea whether the sound I’m getting is either good or bad. I remain to be convinced.

Can anyone suggest, say, some you tube recordings with what you consider to be a good mandola sound so I can make comparisons?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyqWC-xXZXw

This is the best sounding mandola I've heard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVkX7MmITwk

I don’t know if this helps, but I have an octave with a capo that often sits on the fifth fret so I guess it’s like a mandola and I’ve found that the tone is quite variable.
It probably needs a new set of strings, sounds great when the weather turns humid and stormy, but I think the main variable is me!

Not sure but it may be that lower strings are more affected by picking differences?
And the F models sound more guitar-like?



(That Sharon Gilchrist, Bryn Davies, Peter Rowan, Tony Rice performance is AMAZING!)

Thanks all.

1) Duh! I’ve had that Tim o’Brien CD for years!!! Can’t say I’m a big fan of Peter Rowan - it’s a long story - but a useful comparison none the less.

2) The Matt Flinner is exactly what I’m looking for - must download it so I can play it on the big speakers!

3) Tried the OM/capo before I bought a mandola. Sounded terrible. For whatever reason, I’ve never got a satisfactory sound out of my capoed OM.

Keep ‘em coming!

R

oops

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Originally Posted by BoxCarJoe

This is the best sounding mandola I've heard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVkX7MmITwk

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I really like this sound, too. I have a 2015 Weber Bitterroot mandola that approaches this tone, maybe just slightly brighter. FWIW it was made in Bend OR, signed by Bruce.

I will engage in a bit of self-promotion and offer this video; the instrument is a Weber Alder model, early 2000s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO8WN3I4_r4

I have found instrument assessment or comparisons via electronic transmission to be wrought with pit falls. Different strings, picks, and players make an evaluation less than a fair evaluation. i. e. “Dawg” playing any one of my instruments will sound soooo much better than me playing it.

Good luck!

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Originally Posted by Pittsburgh Bill

I have found instrument assessment or comparisons via electronic transmission to be wrought with pit falls. Different strings, picks, and players make an evaluation less than a fair evaluation. i. e. “Dawg” playing any one of my instruments will sound soooo much better than me playing it.

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And whether or not I have my hearing aids in.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pittsburgh Bill

I have found instrument assessment or comparisons via electronic transmission to be wrought with pit falls. Different strings, picks, and players make an evaluation less than a fair evaluation. i. e. “Dawg” playing any one of my instruments will sound soooo much better than me playing it.

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True but I’m not trying to assess one instrument or player against another. I’m simply trying to hear how other instruments sound. The UK isn’t exactly a hot bed of mandola music. I can only think of one other person who owns one and that’s an instrument I wouldn’ t give house room to!

John Reischman recorded a couple of tunes on mandola for his Walk Along John album a few years ago. I think he uses a mandola built by Stan Miller, but I'm not positive about that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2g-djBKxvU


On this tune, his solo starts around 1:10.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqhpfqscI3Q

Focus your ears on the Mandola. It juxtaposes nicely with the Guitar and Octave in this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3yW6i3kwWM

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BoxCarJoe

This is the best sounding mandola I've heard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVkX7MmITwk

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Lawrence is a master:

Mike Guggino plays a Kimble 2 point on a lot of the Steep Canyon Rangers' latest album, Arm in Arm

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Originally Posted by pheffernan

Lawrence is a master:

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That's a lovely tone.

John Doyle starts this set as lead then rhythm on a Trillium mandola.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AlpF86j6V8&list=LL&index=212

Here is the sound of my Lawrence Smart mandola - did that vid some time ago as a mic/pickup comparison.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpV2kP8UFqE&t=70s

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Originally Posted by mando-bob

Here is the sound of my Lawrence Smart mandola - did that vid some time ago as a mic/pickup comparison.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpV2kP8UFqE&t=70s

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Embedded for convenience:

This track features my Girouard mandola and I named the tune for Max and Lauri. https://hillbillychambermusic.bandca.../max-and-lauri

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by BoxCarJoe

That's a lovely tone.

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I agree... anyone know the name of this tune?

The tune Matt Flinner is playing ? St Anne's Reel.
The Irish jig ? I will ask my fiddler friend and hopefully he knows it.

Even without a point of reference, does it sound good, or not so pleasing?