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Thread: Mandolin with Best Bluegrass Chop

  1. #1

    Default Mandolin with Best Bluegrass Chop

    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?

  2. #2
    Worlds ok-ist mando playr Zach Wilson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin with Best Bluegrass Chop

    The Arch top/F hole that is in the players hand that practices his chop chords.

    Happy picking, happy chopping!

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    Registered User John Soper's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin with Best Bluegrass Chop

    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.

  4. #4

    Default Re: Mandolin with Best Bluegrass Chop

    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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    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin with Best Bluegrass Chop

    <Removed by Moderator>
    Last edited by MikeEdgerton; Mar-01-2021 at 1:09pm.
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    Worlds ok-ist mando playr Zach Wilson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin with Best Bluegrass Chop

    Quote Originally Posted by mandroid View Post
    <Removed by Moderator>
    Last edited by MikeEdgerton; Mar-01-2021 at 1:10pm.

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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin with Best Bluegrass Chop

    Not great for chop, much better for slice:

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    Seriously though, the mandolin chop is a percussive sound. Almost any f-hole mandolin even the laminated ones can do that. The high end ones can do that but the fretted notes will be the difference. You can chop on a drum too.
    Jim

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    Default Re: Mandolin with Best Bluegrass Chop

    F styles sound better to me than oval holes as far As a chop !

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    Default Re: Mandolin with Best Bluegrass 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

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    Default Re: Mandolin with Best Bluegrass Chop

    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!

  13. #11
    Worlds ok-ist mando playr Zach Wilson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin with Best Bluegrass Chop

    Quote Originally Posted by onassis View Post
    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.
    I never really cared for my chops on my Weber. Then I played a friends Collins at a jam, and wouldn't you know it!!! I didn't like the sound of my chops on it either! So I practiced and practiced more

    The Weber is great now... Er, I am great (not great, better).

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    mandolin slinger Steve Ostrander's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin with Best Bluegrass Chop

    I’ve heard some A styles with a great chop, and I’ve heard some F styles that were awful. You just never know.

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    Default Re: Mandolin with Best Bluegrass Chop

    You said it best ! You just never know !

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    Registered User sblock's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin with Best Bluegrass Chop

    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.

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    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin with Best Bluegrass Chop

    Sandvik hatchets and axes chop very well ...
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    Default Re: Mandolin with Best Bluegrass Chop

    Quote Originally Posted by sblock View Post
    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.
    Great advice !

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    Default Re: Mandolin with Best Bluegrass Chop

    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?!?!?

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    Default Re: Mandolin with Best Bluegrass Chop

    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.
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    Registered User Pjones3's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin with Best Bluegrass Chop

    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.

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    Default Re: Mandolin with Best Bluegrass Chop

    Yes, indeed, check out the Po Ramblin Boys on YouTube at The Station Inn to see some mighty fine choppin’.

  24. #21
    Registered User j. condino's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin with Best Bluegrass Chop

    Once you get past a mid price point, it is all about the player and less the mandolin!
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