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Thread: Mandola Sounds?

  1. #1
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    Default Mandola Sounds?

    I’ve been playing mandolin on and off for 50 years but 3years or so ago, I bought a mandola. I have a selection of mandolins to go at, they all sound different but I know the sound I’m looking for and each has it’s place.

    Unfortunately, I can’t say that with the mandola. I only have one, I have nothing to compare it to and, in reality, I’ve no idea whether the sound I’m getting is either good or bad. I remain to be convinced.

    Can anyone suggest, say, some you tube recordings with what you consider to be a good mandola sound so I can make comparisons?

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    Default Re: Mandola Sounds?




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    Registered User BoxCarJoe's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandola Sounds?

    This is the best sounding mandola I've heard.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVkX7MmITwk

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    Registered User Simon DS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandola Sounds?

    I don’t know if this helps, but I have an octave with a capo that often sits on the fifth fret so I guess it’s like a mandola and I’ve found that the tone is quite variable.
    It probably needs a new set of strings, sounds great when the weather turns humid and stormy, but I think the main variable is me!

    Not sure but it may be that lower strings are more affected by picking differences?
    And the F models sound more guitar-like?



    (That Sharon Gilchrist, Bryn Davies, Peter Rowan, Tony Rice performance is AMAZING!)
    Last edited by Simon DS; Jul-20-2021 at 12:00pm.

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    Default Re: Mandola Sounds?

    Thanks all.

    1) Duh! I’ve had that Tim o’Brien CD for years!!! Can’t say I’m a big fan of Peter Rowan - it’s a long story - but a useful comparison none the less.

    2) The Matt Flinner is exactly what I’m looking for - must download it so I can play it on the big speakers!

    3) Tried the OM/capo before I bought a mandola. Sounded terrible. For whatever reason, I’ve never got a satisfactory sound out of my capoed OM.

    Keep ‘em coming!

    R

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    Orrig Onion HonketyHank's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandola Sounds?

    oops
    Last edited by HonketyHank; Jul-20-2021 at 10:56am. Reason: duplicate, sorry
    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).

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    Default Re: Mandola Sounds?

    Quote Originally Posted by BoxCarJoe View Post
    This is the best sounding mandola I've heard.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVkX7MmITwk
    I really like this sound, too. I have a 2015 Weber Bitterroot mandola that approaches this tone, maybe just slightly brighter. FWIW it was made in Bend OR, signed by Bruce.
    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

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    Default Re: Mandola Sounds?

    I will engage in a bit of self-promotion and offer this video; the instrument is a Weber Alder model, early 2000s.

    Robert A. Margo

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    Default Re: Mandola Sounds?

    I have found instrument assessment or comparisons via electronic transmission to be wrought with pit falls. Different strings, picks, and players make an evaluation less than a fair evaluation. i. e. “Dawg” playing any one of my instruments will sound soooo much better than me playing it.
    Big Muddy EM8 solid body (Mike Dulak's final EM8 build)
    Kentucky KM-950
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    Rogue 100A (current campfire tool & emergency canoe paddle)

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    Default Re: Mandola Sounds?

    Good luck!
    Big Muddy EM8 solid body (Mike Dulak's final EM8 build)
    Kentucky KM-950
    Weber Gallatin A Mandola "D hole"
    Rogue 100A (current campfire tool & emergency canoe paddle)

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    Default Re: Mandola Sounds?

    Quote Originally Posted by Pittsburgh Bill View Post
    I have found instrument assessment or comparisons via electronic transmission to be wrought with pit falls. Different strings, picks, and players make an evaluation less than a fair evaluation. i. e. “Dawg” playing any one of my instruments will sound soooo much better than me playing it.
    And whether or not I have my hearing aids in.
    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

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    CHASAX 

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    Default Re: Mandola Sounds?

    Quote Originally Posted by Pittsburgh Bill View Post
    I have found instrument assessment or comparisons via electronic transmission to be wrought with pit falls. Different strings, picks, and players make an evaluation less than a fair evaluation. i. e. “Dawg” playing any one of my instruments will sound soooo much better than me playing it.
    True but I’m not trying to assess one instrument or player against another. I’m simply trying to hear how other instruments sound. The UK isn’t exactly a hot bed of mandola music. I can only think of one other person who owns one and that’s an instrument I wouldn’ t give house room to!

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    Registered User Marcus CA's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandola Sounds?

    John Reischman recorded a couple of tunes on mandola for his Walk Along John album a few years ago. I think he uses a mandola built by Stan Miller, but I'm not positive about that.




    On this tune, his solo starts around 1:10.

    still trying to turn dreams into memories

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  20. #14

    Default Re: Mandola Sounds?

    Focus your ears on the Mandola. It juxtaposes nicely with the Guitar and Octave in this video.

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    Default Re: Mandola Sounds?

    Quote Originally Posted by BoxCarJoe View Post
    This is the best sounding mandola I've heard.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVkX7MmITwk
    Lawrence is a master:

    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
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    2007 Hester A5
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    2017 Poe Scout
    2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
    2018 Vessel TM5
    2019 Hogan F5

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    Default Re: Mandola Sounds?

    Mike Guggino plays a Kimble 2 point on a lot of the Steep Canyon Rangers' latest album, Arm in Arm

  25. #17
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    Default Re: Mandola Sounds?

    Quote Originally Posted by pheffernan View Post
    Lawrence is a master:

    That's a lovely tone.

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  27. #18

    Default Re: Mandola Sounds?

    John Doyle starts this set as lead then rhythm on a Trillium mandola.
    Girouard Concert A5
    Girouard Custom A4
    Nordwall Cittern
    Barbi Mandola
    Crump OM-1s Octave
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  29. #19
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    Default Re: Mandola Sounds?

    Here is the sound of my Lawrence Smart mandola - did that vid some time ago as a mic/pickup comparison.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpV2kP8UFqE&t=70s
    Ellis F5 Special Deluxe custom
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    guitars, banjo, dobro, weissenborn, pedal steel, fretless bass, upright bass

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  31. #20
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandola Sounds?

    Quote Originally Posted by mando-bob View Post
    Here is the sound of my Lawrence Smart mandola - did that vid some time ago as a mic/pickup comparison.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpV2kP8UFqE&t=70s
    Embedded for convenience:

    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

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  33. #21

    Default Re: Mandola Sounds?

    This track features my Girouard mandola and I named the tune for Max and Lauri. https://hillbillychambermusic.bandca.../max-and-lauri
    2010 Heiden A5, 2020 Pomeroy oval A, 2013 Kentucky KM1000 F5, 2012 Girouard A Mandola w ff holes, 2001 Old Wave A oval octave
    http://HillbillyChamberMusic.bandcamp.com
    Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@hillbillychambermusic

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    Default Re: Mandola Sounds?

    ...

  35. #23
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    Default Re: Mandola Sounds?

    Quote Originally Posted by BoxCarJoe View Post
    That's a lovely tone.
    I agree... anyone know the name of this tune?

  36. #24
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    Default Re: Mandola Sounds?

    The tune Matt Flinner is playing ? St Anne's Reel.
    The Irish jig ? I will ask my fiddler friend and hopefully he knows it.

  37. #25
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    Default Re: Mandola Sounds?

    Even without a point of reference, does it sound good, or not so pleasing?

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