Howdy!
Curious what everyone's thoughts are on the best mandolins out there right now with the best bluegrass 'chop' and punch. What say you?
Howdy!
Curious what everyone's thoughts are on the best mandolins out there right now with the best bluegrass 'chop' and punch. What say you?
The Arch top/F hole that is in the players hand that practices his chop chords.
Happy picking, happy chopping!
Agree with Zach. Practice chop chords, play as many mandolins as you can and find the "best" one for you. An Arch top with F-holes is the best place to start, and don't let your choice be dictated by the presence or absence of a strap-holder as seen on F5 models.
I'd say you're probably safe with any F5 style costing $10K or more Seriously now, I've heard some old Flatirons and Stellings from the 80s that really knock it out of the park.
Welcome to the forum crazydriver and let us know what you find.
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Last edited by MikeEdgerton; Mar-01-2021 at 1:09pm.
writing about music
is like dancing,
about architecture
Jim
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1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1
F styles sound better to me than oval holes as far As a chop !
Seems to me that the chop is more about the player than the instrument. So many who play very similar instruments, but each player has a distinct sound, often instantly identifiable. Same for other aspects of mandolinning - whenever I play someone else's axe I still sound like me, and when they play mine, they still sound like them.
Mitch Russell
Are you asking for a first purchase, an upgrade, or just to start conversation. If you’re looking to buy, a budget will help us narrow down some builders for you.
My Skip Kelley A5 chops quite nicely (and it sounds great all over the fretboard as well). Lots of great luthiers building today!
I’ve heard some A styles with a great chop, and I’ve heard some F styles that were awful. You just never know.
You said it best ! You just never know !
If I'm not mistaken, most folks tend to buy mandolins for the lovely, woody tone that they can provide while playing a melodic lead, or while playing sustained chords or double-stops, and not for the sound of their percussive chop. The chop sound is not a "clean" sound, and it can be produced acceptably well on practically any f-hole, archtop mandolin -- even the budget ones! If you're looking to buy a new mandolin for playing bluegrass, then I'd suggest getting one with a great, responsive tone -- or great volume/bark -- not for a great chop.
Sandvik hatchets and axes chop very well ...
writing about music
is like dancing,
about architecture
Today’s players for some reason do not make a “clean” sound. But that is not true of early bluegrass. Listen to early Monroe. Chop is percussive but still a chord and very clean. I hate a chop that had no tone and a lot of good mandolin players are doing that.
WHY?!?!?
IMHO if you listen closely you'll hear that the the bluegrass chop is a solid chord strike with an equally quick release. Not a sustained chord like a guitar. Agree with Mandoplumb quick and clean. Now that sound comes first from the player. That won't come from the mandolin, but from your technique. Get that right first and then when you try out various instruments the sound you want will start to show itself. At that point let your ear (and only your ear) let you know what instrument is right for you. Some deep and woody, some bright and crisp. Only you will know when that right one speaks to you.
Ratliff R5 2007, Capek A5 2003, Washburn M5S-SB Jethro Burns 1982, Mid-Mo M-2, Epiphone MM 30 Bk mandolins, Harmony Batwing 1970's, George Bauer bowlback early 1900's Philadelphia.
"Don't cloud the issue with facts!" Groucho Marx
Listen to CJ, Po Rambling Boys. His chops are as good as they get and he can do them with lots of different mandolins! Within reason, I’d say it’s the chopper not the choppee that makes the difference.
Yes, indeed, check out the Po Ramblin Boys on YouTube at The Station Inn to see some mighty fine choppin’.
Once you get past a mid price point, it is all about the player and less the mandolin!
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