Yes there is!...
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/167537#167537
NFI
Oops, I did not see Sherry's previous post.
Yes there is!...
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/167537#167537
NFI
Oops, I did not see Sherry's previous post.
Charley
A bunch of stuff with four strings
I thought it was Jim Garber, either in this thread, or the orchestra instrument thread I started, but I can't find it now, where he (or someone) posted he finds a V neck uncomfortable to play. I'm finding that with the Gibson A2 I've been trying out. In fact, I tried it again yesterday and found it extremely uncomfortable for playing chords, but fine for melody. Here are pics of the 2 finger D chord on the Gibson and also on my Alvarez (C neck, I believe).
I plan to try V necks in my search, but any opinions as to whether or not all V necks are going to feel pretty much the same?
Move your thumb up toward the fingerboard and let the mandolin neck rest in the crook of your thumb, you are using more of a guitar approach. I have both C shape and V shape and either is comfortable for me. Not all will agree tho. Your thumb should go on the side of the V not on the point of the V.
THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!
I too have small hands and very short fingers, and can play both C- and V- neck mandolins with comfort. I have to alter fingerings with some chords, because I just can't reach, although picking is fine with both shapes. I agree with pops1 about the neck placement. Good luck in finding what you are looking for (I have been following your threads with interest in what you end up liking.)
I don’t think it was me. I have little problem with teens Gibsons like the one you are trying out. For years I played a 1919 A-3 and I loved it. However I prefer the tone and neck of my snakehead. I have also played Embergher bowlbacks which have a seriously V/triangular neck also very narrow even less than an inch at the nut. My limit is a wider neck like 1-1/4” or more. Those I do find inhibits my comfort and affects my playing.
Sometimes some instruments just ask us to change in order to play them. You may or may not want to do that. I don’t get any sense that you are at all enamored of the Gibson in your possession.
Jim
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19th Century Tunes
Playing lately:
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
I took a chance and bought a Weber listed in the MC classifieds. Reading back over this thread, I don't see where anyone suggested I look at a Weber. Any particular reason why not?
So far I'm loving the Weber. As someone in the Newbies group suggested, I can relist if I find something I like better.
Hi Sherry,
I can't imagine why Webers wouldn't be recommended. I have one and have had three. I have also played other Webers. I love them. I hope you will love yours but if you don't, the market for them is usually quite good.
Best wishes,
Bob
Purr more, hiss less. Barn Cat Mandolins Photo Album
I'm a Weber magnet. Don't let me play yours because it might stick too.
New to mando? Click this link -->Newbies to join us at the Newbies Social Group.
Just send an email to rob.meldrum@gmail.com with "mandolin setup" in the subject line and he will email you a copy of his ebook for free (free to all mandolincafe members).
My website and blog: honketyhank.com
I have a Weber Bitterroot oval hole, it fits my hands very well (as does my Pava and my Collings.) I believe for me, neck width is more of an issue than neck shape (I also play guitar, and that's where I got the idea that width was more of a problem.) Congratulations, and enjoy the Weber!
I recall finding the neck shape of some Webers to be too large around for my taste, but some people love them. I don't know if all Webers have the same neck shape, and if they have changed over time.
Sherry, which Weber did you purchase? I have a Weber Bridger that has a sweet tone
I’ve not owned any Weber mandolins (yet), but probably only because of limited local availability. I’ve briefly played a Gallatin F style that was very nice, but I really had no time with it. I also played a Bighorn at Lowe Vintage for about a half hour that was exceptional. But, it, an oval hole, also taught me that I’m really into the F hole tone right now, so I didn’t come home with it.
That said, I’ve owned a Yellowstone Mandocello (absolute tone beast, I just didn’t use it much outside of playing around at home, and we downsized a couple of years ago), a Weber Hyalite 22.5 inch scale carved top oval hole OM (also a tone monster, but the scale length was tough for me on melody work), and I currently own an A style F hole Bitterroot OM with a 20 inch scale length that I’m absolutely loving. It’s getting a lot of playing time despite mando and guitar being my primary instruments. The Hyalite was signed by Bruce, the other 2 signed by their current lead luthier after the TOH took over. All are exceptionally well built, professional caliber instruments that I’ve been proud to own.
FYI, Sierra Hull played a Weber for quite a while (and her husband has taken it over, as discussed in a recent Mandolin Monday), as has Rhonda Vincent. There are plenty of good ones out there. I think the TOH merger rubbed some of the original brand fans the wrong way, so it lost some buzz, but they’re still building awesome instruments. Of course, Bruce and Mary are back in the game with Montana Luthiery.
I’m glad you’re loving yours!
Chuck
Not Eric, but chiming in re: the Bridger - it was a D-hole model that was discontinued. If I remember the marketing of it correctly it was voiced for playing "celtic" music (I may be wrong there, maybe it was just popular with folks who played that genre)? I always coveted one but at the time when I was starting out playing anytime a second hand one appeared in the classifieds they were always out of my price range at the time. Another one of their models I always coveted was the Bighorn.
2018 Girouard Concert oval A
2015 JP "Whitechapel" tenor banjo
2018 Frank Tate tenor guitar
1969 Martin 00-18
my Youtube channel
Mr. Dukak at Big Muddy has had folks with small hands in mind. He offers a violin scale model. Sue Rieter just posted an image of an old Mid Mo brochuer that lists the Kid MO, it was even smaler.
And I wish I could see what one of those Kid Mo mandolins looked like.
And then I saw one https://reverb.com/item/1033977-mid-...-8-kid-mo-2000
According to the ad (sold) only 32 of these were ever made. Cool!
Last edited by Sue Rieter; Mar-16-2021 at 6:00pm.
They were very minimalistic. A small version of the Mini MO. Partly inspired by the fluke ukulele. I remember having doubts about the Mini MO thinking it was a toy.
By golly several thousand of them have been sold and are in the hands of happy players.
So not 32. The ad got it wrong. I'd probably get one just for the heck of it if I had a chance.
Though my hands aren't too small.
Sorry, that was confusing. Thousands refers to the Mini MO. The Kid MO was a small run. Last I knew the Kid MO forms and jigs were still around Mikes Shop.
I am only an obsrever in this thread. My hands are 10 inches across. When I pick up a regular mandolin I may as well have oven mits on.
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