Vote on my new purchase...

[dudlebug23]

I am a high school coach and have some extra "dinero" coming to me in the next few months. I am going to spend it on a new instrument, and have it narrowed down to three.
Please vote on what you would do if you were me.
Would you get:
1. Custom Bitteroot with maple back and sides, spruce top
(played it in Baltimore and it is amazing!)
2. Weber Bighorn Octave Mando: Want an octave and a Bighorn with an oval hole would make a great one!
3. Martin J12-40: From Elderly, I do want a good 12 string, and this one seems like it would be a good one. I have an HD-28, so I know I like rosewood, and the jumbo body would give it big sound and resonance.

Right now I have a cheap 500 Washburn model mando, a cheap 12 string Fender, but no octave. Part of me says get an octave since I don't have one, but another part says upgrade on one of the others. What do you think?

thanks!
Eric

[drelb]

Bitteroot! Gotta love them F's.

[GVD]

I vote for taking your time and playing every instrument you can get your hands on. When you find the right one it'll let you know. Chances are it won't even be what you started out looking for but you'll be happier in the end.

GVD

[dudlebug23]

I vote for taking your time and playing every instrument you can get your hands on. When you find the right one it'll let you know. Chances are it won't even be what you started out looking for but you'll be happier in the end.

GVD

I agree...I actually went on a playing tour, went to a store here in Winchester, a place in Frederick, MD, and then Appalachian Bluegrass in Baltimore...a Bitteroot was not the model I was looking for, but after I played it, it was the best thing I'd played all day, along with a D-41 I played in Frederick, but that's a guitar. So...I know I like the sound of the Weber F, but should I take a chance on getting an instrument I've never heard before? I know they'll be good based on the companys that make them...

[Slim Pickins]

I am a high school coach and have some extra "dinero" coming to me in the next few months. #I am going to spend it on a new instrument, and have it narrowed down to three.
Please vote on what you would do if you were me. #
Would you get:
1. Custom Bitteroot with maple back and sides, spruce top
# (played it in Baltimore and it is amazing!)
2. Weber Bighorn Octave Mando: #Want an octave and a Bighorn with an oval hole would make a great one!
3. Martin J12-40: #From Elderly, I do want a good 12 string, and this one seems like it would be a good one. I have an HD-28, so I know I like rosewood, and the jumbo body would give it big sound and resonance.

Right now I have a cheap 500 Washburn model mando, a cheap 12 string Fender, but no octave. #Part of me says get an octave since I don't have one, but another part says upgrade on one of the others. #What do you think?

thanks!
Eric

I own a Weber Bitterroot Spruce & maple. 2004 Fantastic, I get many compliments on its looks and sound. Great mando

[nobleheart]

got to go with the octave bighorn. Faaaannntasstic.

[Rick Schmidlin]

1. Custom Bitteroot would be my choice.

[John Bertotti]

Which is the hardest to come by and has the best deal on it right now. Also with summer are these instruments you can receive before school starts again. But most of all which calls to you the most! John

[bdisp]

dudl.......... what do you have currently. I also agree with GVD.

I will say being a 12-stringer for almost 40 years, the J12-40 is a SUPER 12. I've owned 2. Both were great. I'm down to a RIC 660-12 and a very nice '65 Guild 12.

Enjoy the hunt............... it won' be the last one.

[dtb]

hmmmmmmm....being a coach, assuming that you may be a teacher also, and more than likey have a good steady job, as well as having a job that should be easy to get, if you relocate, I vote for going down big, and get all three.

[fredfrank]

If you want to avoid any future MAS, I see Skinner's is auctioning off a couple of Loars . . .

[mtnrose]

or you could go with with a Bitteroot Octave mandolin.

[dudlebug23]

hmmmmmmm....being a coach, assuming that you may be a teacher also, and more than likey have a good steady job, as well as having a job that should be easy to get, if you relocate, I vote for going down big, and get all three. #

I like your thinking! Unfortunately my wife would kill me. I'll have to wait for next season to hunt for my next one. Still haven't decided though...

[flairbzzt]

Check out the 2004 Bighorn I recently traded back to Greg Boyd. Not an octave, but a easy playing sweet sounding piece. I was only owner for less than a year-upgraded and wish I could've kept it but couldn't make the deal without it. You'll save some $ vs. new too. Call Greg-before I find some $ and buy it back..........

[doublestop]

I guess with all the hype on the Weber cedar top, I might check out one of those.

[Rick Schmidlin]

My Cedar top Yellowstone blows me away and #all others that play it. Greg has one Custom left and it the same as mine. If you want a Bluegrass OX that can produce a real woody sound this is it.

[Rob Wallace]

Gotta go with Tonemonster on this one. I love my Cedar Yellowstone Custom.

Rob

[mad dawg]

Part of me says get an octave since I don't have one...

I find it hard to argue with the logic in that statement, so I vote for the OM.

[mad dawg]

Part of me says get an octave since I don't have one...

I find it hard to argue with the logic in that statement, so I vote for the OM.

[John Bertotti]

If the bug in your ear says that now it is going to get worse when you don't get it. Next years wait will be irritating. Go for the OM. John