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Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled
I liked 6, 5, and 2 best, in that order, although the differences I thought I heard among these three mandolins were very small. In fact, to my ear all six mandolins sounded splendid, which again shows that the music is in the musician, who played “Old Dangerfield” beautifully.
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Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled
Quote:
Originally Posted by
keith.rogers
I'm so far from having any idea of what a "perfect" mandolin should sound like, this was just a fun listening exercise for me. All of them sounded like an instrument I should not be allowed near :).
I'm fairly sure it would depend on the player and what they wanted to do with a particular instrument - solo recording, bluegrass, jazz, whatever, because, just by the names there, they'd all likely find a loving home (if they don't already have one!).
I tended to like what I am guessing is the "woodier" sound of 2 and then 1, but I've got "+" signs next to all of them on different passes with different headphones. Color me clueless as to which was which and really looking forward to being enlightened.
LOL. your right for sure! a lot of the player and what they want to do with it, how they play it and each persons own personal preference comes into play bigitme! Thanks for giving it a listen
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Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Andy B
I liked 6, 5, and 2 best, in that order, although the differences I thought I heard among these three mandolins were very small. In fact, to my ear all six mandolins sounded splendid, which again shows that the music is in the musician, who played “Old Dangerfield” beautifully.
Thanks Andy! We will be revealing which mando is which number before long.
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Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled
Can I take a wild approximate guess? I figured 1 and 3 to be the Gibsons and 2 5 6 to be the bucket Northfield and duff not necessarily in that order and I could easily see one of those being a Gibson but I kind of think 1 is. Kind of vague but it's the best I can guess. That's my story and I'm sticking to it until I change my mind!
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Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled
My ears liked #5, #6, and #1 in order of the top three, but they all sounded good.
But I must say that the production, playing, and mixing of this tasting was top notch! Great job in the way it was presented. Maybe that's why it was so hard for me to discern
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Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled
Quote:
Originally Posted by
John Bertotti
Can I take a wild approximate guess? I figured 1 and 3 to be the Gibsons and 2 5 6 to be the bucket Northfield and duff not necessarily in that order and I could easily see one of those being a Gibson but I kind of think 1 is. Kind of vague but it's the best I can guess. That's my story and I'm sticking to it until I change my mind!
Thanks for taking the time to listen and give your thoughts! I'll be revealing what each of them are before long... stay tuned
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
Austin Bob
My ears liked #5, #6, and #1 in order of the top three, but they all sounded good.
But I must say that the production, playing, and mixing of this tasting was top notch! Great job in the way it was presented. Maybe that's why it was so hard for me to discern
Thanks so much!! appreciate you taking the time to listen and give your thoughts!!
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Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled
I like 1 and 5 the best. But they all sound great.
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Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled
Probably listened to this with my Airpods at least 10 times. #1 is definitely my favorite and I think it's the Loar, maybe #2 is the Fern? Really like #6, too, and think that that might be the Big Mon based on the "thicker" bass sound. All of them sound great and it was a really fun exercise trying pick out the difference tones on all the different registers and Old Dangerfield was perfect for that. Super cool!
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Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Rob Fowler
Probably listened to this with my Airpods at least 10 times. #1 is definitely my favorite and I think it's the Loar, maybe #2 is the Fern? Really like #6, too, and think that that might be the Big Mon based on the "thicker" bass sound. All of them sound great and it was a really fun exercise trying pick out the difference tones on all the different registers and Old Dangerfield was perfect for that. Super cool!
Thanks for giving it a good listen and for your picks!!
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Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled
The “Reveal” video will premier tomorrow at noon eastern time on YouTube and will include which mandolins were which numbers as well as some cool footage of Tom Isenhour talking about the ‘23 Loar and the ‘28 fern. It also includes Tom and I taking a turn on each of the mandolins so you get to hear another player going at them and the “chop” on each. Here is a link to the “Reveal” video that will be viewable tomorrow: https://youtu.be/YCx-n1rtR7s
Thanks everyone for giving it a listen and for your comments and input!! This was a fun little project and especially thanks to Tom for bringing those incredible vintage Gibsons to include!!
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Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled
Am I the only one actually impatiently waiting to hear the reveal. It’s driving my nuts!
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Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled
Quote:
Originally Posted by
John Bertotti
Am I the only one actually impatiently waiting to hear the reveal. It’s driving my nuts!
LOL. I think there are quite a few who are ready to see it. It will be live in about an hour. It will be interesting to listen again and know which mandolins are which.
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Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled
That was great! Didn't change my vote, which surprised me that it was 2 Gibsons (#2, then #1). Listening to them being played made me decide that I'd give that Duff 3rd place. Thanks again.
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Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled
This was well done. Appreciate the time and effort that went into this. These blind comparison threads are always so humbling for those of us that are constantly seeking that special something. She it comes down to it a good quality mandolin mic’ed up in capable hands sounds just like a mandolin.
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Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled
The only one that surprises me is #3. The rest are no surprise really. I do get as kick out of the difference each player pulls from an instrument. Thanks for posting this it was very cool.
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Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled
Oh yeah I preferred #6 = ‘28 fern…
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Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled
I usually prefer x and my favorite was the x braced Duff. I can’t quantify why that is in my head and ears. And seeing how tone changes depending on who is playing O might pick a different one if I played all of them side by side. All were great. I just liked 5 tue best but it was very very close.
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Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled
When I picked #6, I hoped it was the Northfield, because it’s only slightly north of my tax bracket. A ‘28 Fern…maybe I’ll have a productive consulting gig when I retire from teaching middle school.
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Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled
Quote:
Originally Posted by
nultylynch
when i picked #6, i hoped it was the northfield, because it’s only slightly north of my tax bracket. A ‘28 fern…maybe i’ll have a productive consulting gig when i retire from teaching middle school.
lol...
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Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled
Quote:
Originally Posted by
John Bertotti
I usually prefer x and my favorite was the x braced Duff. I can’t quantify why that is in my head and ears. And seeing how tone changes depending on who is playing O might pick a different one if I played all of them side by side. All were great. I just liked 5 tue best but it was very very close.
Yeah man. This only gives you a one time recording example... playing them in person everyone would probably have different thoughts.... how they feel, how the sound in person, volume, chop, etc. would all come into play much better in person.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
John Bertotti
The only one that surprises me is #3. The rest are no surprise really. I do get as kick out of the difference each player pulls from an instrument. Thanks for posting this it was very cool.
Thanks for checking it out. It was a fun little project.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
Josh Levine
This was well done. Appreciate the time and effort that went into this. These blind comparison threads are always so humbling for those of us that are constantly seeking that special something. She it comes down to it a good quality mandolin mic’ed up in capable hands sounds just like a mandolin.
I agree totally
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Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled
Very well done and I thank you for your efforts here.
It’s so interesting to see folks differing taste and perceptions, including my own. Was I surprised that I liked the Northfield best? You bet, just realized I’d save thousands if I needed another Mando. As Adam Steffey said, “all the mando you’d ever need”.
It also shows contemporary mandolins are excellent sounding.
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Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled
Gabriel, what fun! Thank you.
I really like the twin mando work you showed with Tom. Looks like he plays further from the bridge than you. No shortage of tone from either of you.
What will be your next 6 mandos?
Thanks again.
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Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled
Thanks for this exercise. My takeaway is that none of these mandolins stop you from sounding like you, which by extension means none would keep me from sounding like me. There is a lesson in there methinks.
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Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bill McCall
Very well done and I thank you for your efforts here.
It’s so interesting to see folks differing taste and perceptions, including my own. Was I surprised that I liked the Northfield best? You bet, just realized I’d save thousands if I needed another Mando. As Adam Steffey said, “all the mando you’d ever need”.
It also shows contemporary mandolins are excellent sounding.
That’s right!! You can get very high quality instruments theses days without spending too awful much!!
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Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Eric Oliver
Gabriel, what fun! Thank you.
I really like the twin mando work you showed with Tom. Looks like he plays further from the bridge than you. No shortage of tone from either of you.
What will be your next 6 mandos?
Thanks again.
Lol. That’s all the mandolins I have! I know Tom has more and I’d be down with going though some of those sometime if he wanted. Thanks for listening!!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
pheffernan
Thanks for this exercise. My takeaway is that none of these mandolins stop you from sounding like you, which by extension means none would keep me from sounding like me. There is a lesson in there methinks.
Spot on!