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Thread: Gassing for next Mandolin

  1. #1

    Default Gassing for next Mandolin

    50+ guitar player here that has been tinkering with Mando for about 3 years. Bought a Rover RM-75 which, after a proper setup, plays well. Soundwise, it's just OK.
    I'd like to step up to the next level in both quality and tone. My budget is 1K.

    A couple of things I would like:

    Wider Nut
    Radiused Fretboard

    Thanks in advance for any advice you may give.

    Ron

  2. #2
    harvester of clams Bill McCall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gassing for next Mandolin

    A used A style is the place to look.
    Not all the clams are at the beach

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  4. #3
    Professional Dreamer journeybear's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gassing for next Mandolin

    Indeed, if you are patient and keep looking, you might even be able to find a Gibson plain A. That is, one without the headstock logo. I've succeeded twice in this regard, though I admit, my last such purchase was about seven years ago, and prices may have gone up since then. Check eBay now and then, see what's what. Bid wisely and well, and who knows? You could get lucky.

    I believe there are some well-considered makes of new A models in that price range. I'm not familiar, but others will be and will suggest possibilities. Stick around, you'll see.

    PS: Just took a look at eBay, first time in a while. Hoo boy! Looks like those days are gone. Long gone. But still, you never know ... And there are other makes there in your price range. So ... good luck!
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

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  5. #4
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gassing for next Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by rdamato View Post
    I'd like to step up to the next level in both quality and tone. My budget is 1K.

    A couple of things I would like:

    Wider Nut
    Radiused Fretboard

    Thanks in advance for any advice you may give.
    I might consider an American made Breedlove.
    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
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    2009 Passernig A5
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    Default Re: Gassing for next Mandolin

    The only kind of vintage mandos I've seen a number of are the tourist bowl backs. Many of them have visible problems relating to the tuners - head cracks, enlarged spindle holes, rough tuners etc. Do old Gibsons suffer much from those head and tuner problems?

  7. #6
    Registered User Scotter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gassing for next Mandolin

    I agree with pheffernan. Although Breedlove stopped making their American mandolin a few years ago, you can still find them new and unsold in some stores. I saw a new one for sale at the local Sam Ash only a few months ago. These are perfect for guitarists wanting a wider radiused fretboard. These have large frets and play really nicely up the neck. You might try searching Reverb dot com. You could also look for a wide nut version of an Eastman or Kentucky but I think those are pretty rare.
    Play that which you feel is groovy, get down with your bad self, and shake your money maker if it makes sense for you to do so.

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  9. #7
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    Default Re: Gassing for next Mandolin

    I have two F's and two A's that are in the white.. you want finish them yourself ?????
    kterry

  10. #8
    two t's and one hyphen fatt-dad's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gassing for next Mandolin

    Flatiron Festival a-model.

    f-d
    ¡papá gordo ain’t no madre flaca!

    '20 A3, '30 L-1, '97 914, 2012 Cohen A5, 2012 Muth A5, '14 OM28A

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    Registered User J Mangio's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gassing for next Mandolin

    Check out my signature and get on your way.
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    Registered User Marcus CA's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gassing for next Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Scotter View Post
    I agree with pheffernan. Although Breedlove stopped making their American mandolin a few years ago, you can still find them new and unsold in some stores. I saw a new one for sale at the local Sam Ash only a few months ago. These are perfect for guitarists wanting a wider radiused fretboard. These have large frets and play really nicely up the neck. You might try searching Reverb dot com. You could also look for a wide nut version of an Eastman or Kentucky but I think those are pretty rare.
    I agree with these gents. I’ve never played a non-US Breedlove, but I had a Quartz OF, which I sold when I found a used Quartz FF here. For a while, you could always find one or two in the Cafe Classifieds, but they don’t show up as often these days. It might be worth scrolling through the listings to see of any are buried within. The used OF’s generally go for $700-800, and the used FF’s for $1,100-1300. Both models have satin finish, wide nut, and radiused fretboard as standard features.
    still trying to turn dreams into memories

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  14. #11
    two t's and one hyphen fatt-dad's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gassing for next Mandolin

    a Rigel a-model?

    f-d
    ¡papá gordo ain’t no madre flaca!

    '20 A3, '30 L-1, '97 914, 2012 Cohen A5, 2012 Muth A5, '14 OM28A

  15. #12
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gassing for next Mandolin

    I’d also consider an offer on this one:

    https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/167691#167691
    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
    2005 National RM-1
    2007 Hester A5
    2009 Passernig A5
    2015 Black A2-z
    2010 Black GBOM
    2017 Poe Scout
    2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
    2018 Vessel TM5
    2019 Hogan F5

  16. #13

    Default Re: Gassing for next Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by pheffernan View Post
    I might consider an American made Breedlove.
    I second this. I have a legacy OF (F hole A style) that I got used from TMS for $1K some years ago. That model came with a K & K twin installed and this combination has served me well both acoustically and at many gigs.

    TMS doesn't have one any longer but here's a link to an old ad
    https://themandolinstore.com/product...s-of-mandolin/

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