Namm 2019

[Mandolin Cafe]

It would appear that Fender is making an electric tenor in the Telecaster style:

Fender Launches MIM Alternate Reality Series and Boutique-Style Rarities Line https://reverb.com/news/fender-launc...m_medium=share

Dropped by the massive Fender display and asked several people about this instrument. All I got was blank stares and... "a what?" Don't doubt it exists but sometimes the people at the shows that work for the companies just aren't in the know.

[Bob Buckingham]

That raggedy looking Gibson cost almost as much as my car! Oh my!

[William Smith]

If those first Collings "Waterloo's" don't look just like the 30's Kalamazoo's and Cromwell Gibson budget line, I don't know I think I'd be buying the vintage ones?

[Mickey King]

Regarding the Hall of Fame Mon, how did Gibson manage to raise Bill from the dead to sign labels for them?

I suspect that label was signed a long time ago maybe for another Monroe model. The label says Gibson Bozeman, MT.

[Phil Goodson]

I don't think you can make a fair assessment of the mandolin from a low resolution picture taken at an angle and posted on a website.

What I said is obvious at any angle. (and a well known flaw previously discussed)

[j. condino]

That raggedy looking Gibson cost almost as much as my car! Oh my!

'Costs more than all 27 cars I've owned in my life combined!

[LadysSolo]

If I won millions in the lottery (that I very rarely play,) I would be wanting to listen to the Gibson, the Northfield 4.0, and an Ellis, and then decide.....

[Mandolin Cafe]

Got to play the gorgeous and killer sounding Weber Yellowstone that will be given away to one lucky person selected at random Sunday at 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Great stuff going on at the Weber booth, jam packed, lots going on.

[Mandolin Cafe]

There was a question about the tailpiece on the new Waterloo mandolins. It's one piece, strings attached, and manufactured by Collings specifically for this model.

[Mandolin Cafe]

Quick visit with uber talented archtop guitar builder Maegan Wells who has branched lightly into a few mandolins. This was her first satin finish mandolin and it was a real work of art, as are her widely recognized guitars. A real star builder, and so young!

[Jake Biddix]

For the Fender Tenor, check this video around the 2 minute mark:

https://youtu.be/qma5eRtQBLc

[mrmando]

For the Fender Tenor, check this video around the 2 minute mark:

https://youtu.be/qma5eRtQBLc

So are these blokes at the same winter NAMM show Scott is at? 400 GBP is US$528.08, not an unreasonable price, I should think.

[Jake Biddix]

Yes, they are at the same show as far as I know. The article I posted earlier had more specs. I believe they come in 3 colors: butterscotch blonde, fiesta red, and lake placid blue. I'm pretty excited! The price seems right as well!

[Verne Andru]

Ted posted a picture of the Fender over in Tenor guitars so it is at the show.

Upon inspection of the pics it appears Fender pulled a classic newb error by putting the dot marker at the 9th, not the 10th fret. I suspect they modified their Squier Mini neck and didn't think to move the fret marker as they've never made a tenor before and they're all guitar players.

[Jim Garber]

Quick visit with uber talented archtop guitar builder Maegan Wells who has branched lightly into a few mandolins. This was her first satin finish mandolin and it was a real work of art, as are her widely recognized guitars. A real star builder, and so young!

I met her and talked to her for a few minutes at the Woodstock Invitational Luthier show last fall. We had a nice talk, but she sold the one mandolin she was about to bring there. Too bad. There were so few mandolins there. That one looks very nice.

[Jim Garber]

It would appear that Fender is making an electric tenor in the Telecaster style:

Fender Launches MIM Alternate Reality Series and Boutique-Style Rarities Line https://reverb.com/news/fender-launc...m_medium=share

So are these blokes at the same winter NAMM show Scott is at? 400 GBP is US$528.08, not an unreasonable price, I should think.

On that Reverb article it said:

It will be available for $499 USD in Lake Placid Blue, fiesta red, or butterscotch blonde.

And they are made in Mexico. Did the video say 400GBP? They do look fun.

[Caleb]

Couple of surprises to start out the show. Just arrived so haven't had a lot of time to prepare much to report but for starters:

The new Waterloo (from Collings) flat top mandolins to match their guitar line. VERY nice, pricing still under consideration but somewhere in the $2K range. Superb fit and finish, play beautifully, sounded great (both), radiused fingerboard. Left: WL-M Serial 2917, Solid Spruce top, Mahogany body and neck, Sunburst, Ivoroid top and soundhole binding, 1/5/16" nut, truss rod, ebony bridge, customer nickel tailpiece.

YIKES! I really like these. Seems high for a flattop, but it is a Collings. Looking forward to playing one of these.

[mcgroup53]

So, I'm guessing there's no sign of a Collings "Traditional" series mandolin similar to the T guitars this year? That would be a natural step for them to take at some point, more Loaresque graduations and bracing, animal protein glue, maybe a torrefied top. Asking for a friend. <g>

[Mandolin Cafe]

Some info just picked up: Breedlove Crossover which is an import won't be available in 2019. May be on their way out but I know who to ask about that.

[Verne Andru]

Looks like Gibson has a few electric mandos at the show.



https://www.harmonycentral.com/forum...o-thread/page3

[Mandolin Cafe]

The Gibson electric on the left is the F-5GEM Electric Mandolin in figured Maple, Sweet Tea.

Semi-hollow F-5G with a powerful custom pickup (their words)
Highly figured Maple adorns the top and back
Brand new from Custom Shop

[Mandolin Cafe]

News on the new Waterloo Mandolins from Collings. Those two are numbers #3 & 4 and are going back home to Austin with the builder so not available in retail in the near future. As mentioned earlier, still decided price point, still possibly some changes to the design although clearly they're close to where they want them to be.

[Mandolin Cafe]

This is a relatively new product from TKL, the TKL VTR 552 GLW case, hard plastic. Have a few other pictures of it but likely may not post. Retail in the neighborhood of $449. Light, very thin, good protection, worth exploring further for some of you. They'll have them at Merlefest they thought. Made in Virginia.

[Don Grieser]

Is there a big NAMM dump coming or is that it?

[Mandolin Cafe]

FYI, the Weber Yellowstone Giveaway should be in the process of selecting the winner at the show. Registration has ended.