How would you describe this tone?

[dwc]

What adjective(s) would you use to describe the hollow, resonant, reverby tone that you hear from this mandolin,particularly the first few notes? Also, is this inherent to the instrument, or is there a technique, set of strings, pick or other way to cultivate it?

[Ivan Kelsall]

I find the tone very pleasant indeed,if a tad 'zingy'. It sounds very 'open' & full bodied. The bass is full & rounded & a tad 'woody' & the treble is nice & clear without being over bright. That's how it sounds to my ears. So,what make of mandolin is it ?,
Ivan

[almeriastrings]

I'd describe it as a typical Silverangel tone.

[Dave Hanson]

I'd describe as being as good as most top class mandolins I've heard or played including my own.

Dave H

[Br1ck]

Yes, Silverangel all the way.

[Roger Moss]

Now I understand what all the fuss over Silverangel is about. Of course competent playing helps...

[barry]

I find the tone very pleasant indeed,if a tad 'zingy'. It sounds very 'open' & full bodied. The bass is full & rounded & a tad 'woody' & the treble is nice & clear without being over bright. That's how it sounds to my ears. So,what make of mandolin is it ?,


Ivan

I've played the mandolin in the video. I would say your description is spot-on. It is very bassy and woody, with a very satisfying fullness to it.

[Polecat]

Sounds like an old sausage to me...

[Jstring]

Sounds like an old sausage to me...

It sure does! I miss reading his posts... He's one of the most articulate and insightful cafe contributors.... And a good player. Hope he's doing well...

[fscotte]

Sounds like the old oval hole Gibson A models. Zingy was a good word someone used combined with bassy open low end.

Compare these, different players and mics, and the OP video sound like reverb added, but still very similar. I'd love to build that sound someday.

[FLATROCK HILL]

Sounds like an old sausage to me...

Beat me to it! (I gotta get out of bed earlier I guess.)

It sure does! I miss reading his posts... He's one of the most articulate and insightful cafe contributors.... And a good player. Hope he's doing well...

Ditto.

[Shelagh Moore]

Mellow but sweet? It sounds good anyway.

[Payton]

I love the tone of that mandolin! I have family that live in Hyden Kentucky, and there's a feller that lives across the creek from them that plays a mandolin that has that same tone. I could sit out on their porch all night and listen to him play. Mountain soul right there!

Payton

[Br1ck]

Silverangels are unique, and if you like the full frequency tone, you'd be hard pressed to do better. The Econo A has to be one of the best values too. Most are cross braced and have redwood tops, no doubt contributing to the pleasing tone.

They have a pronounced arch to the carve of the back, making fitting to a case problematic. I also had to do some creative bending of a toneguard to get it to clear the back. I've had mine for several weeks now and it continues to grow on me.

[Willie Poole]

I have to agree with what Ivan said....to me it has a tone that is right in between an oval hole and an FF hole mandolin which makes it sweet and not harsh.....I also never try to rate a mandolin that is being played through a sound system because a person that has the knowledge can make a piece of junk sound pretty good using the EQ properly, that is the plus of having a good soundman at your gigs...

But it is a "KEEPER" Thats for sure....

[terzinator]

From your sig, it appears you have an Ellis. I'd think you'd be getting some excellent tone out of that, no?

David (the player in the vid) is an excellent mandolinist, and he also has a nice recording setup. Silverangels are great mandolins, but I've found that mandolins up and down the spectrum sound reaaaaallly good when recorded properly. Better than life, sometimes.

I bet if you recorded your Ellis with good equipment, you'd be surprised by what you get.

[almeriastrings]

Silverangel vs. Ellis are very different voicings. That said, you can do pretty much anything and make it sound great on an Ellis. The Silverangel mandolins are unique, though. A very nice instrument in their own right. Nothing wrong with more than one (or three) mandolins

[fscotte]

Yeah dont discount the amount of reverb added in that video.