Gibson, Calace, and Telemann...Any advice?

[mlinkins]

We have a duo (guitar/mando and sometimes mando/mando). We are interested in recording some of the Telemann Canonic duos on two mandos. We've done an initial recording of #3: Allegro. See below. It is not a flawless performance, but an initial recording to get a sense for how to approach the project. We decided to use two VERY different mandolins: a Gibson A from 1913 and a Calace bowlback.

I initially thought the contrast in sonic properties would be a good idea. When I first listened to recording, I wasn't very happy with the blend. Now I'm warming up to the idea. Would appreciate your thoughts. Do you like the sound of these instruments together? Any other suggestions. Would you prefer two Gibson A's or two bowlbacks? Any other ideas? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

(By the way, many thanks to Traveling Tracks for the excellent recording quality. It is great to have mandolinist as a recording engineer!)

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Administrator's note: threads merged. Not necessary to post multiple threads with the same information in separate areas of the forum.

[Bruce Clausen]

Nice playing. Haven't heard these in many years. Your sounds are not quite as distinct as using (say) flute and oboe, but we do hear the difference. The Gibson starts, right? I would probably have done it the other way. They're both solo parts, but we naturally hear the second to start as the accompanist, and that might suit the darker instrument better.

Good job!

[Edit: Could someone maybe combine the two threads?]

[DougC]

I really like the idea of a different instrument for another voice. The higher timbre of the Calace should works well with the higher pitch of a melodic line.
What you have here is really nice. It would be nice to compare a recording of the same type of instrument too.

[mlinkins]

Thanks, Bruce. Yes the Gibson starts...great suggestion/rationale for switching up the parts.

[mlinkins]

Thanks, Doug, for the suggestion. Makes good sense.

[Tavy]

I liked that a lot - nice playing too!

I think the different voices work very well together, in fact it's something I've been experimenting with too. If you wanted to blend the Gibson in a little more, try adding a little "air" by bumping the EQ around 5K. HTH, John.

[mlinkins]

Thanks, John!...Great suggestion. That may address exactly what I was concerned about...i.e. the fact that the Gibson sound seems so "thick" and the Calace seems to "thin" (by comparison). I think some of that difference in sound is good...just a matter of degree.

[Russ Donahue]

This is lovely as is....

[fatt-dad]

that was great. I'm working on these three also. We're doing it with mandolin and hammered dulcimer. I love playing these pieces!

f-d

[mlinkins]

Thanks, Russ and Fatt-Dad, for the feedback. Fatt-Dad: Great to hear that you're doing these with hammered dulcimer. If you record them, I'd love to hear it.