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Thread: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled

  1. #1
    Registered User Gabriel Wiseman's Avatar
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    Default Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled

    Here I played 6 mandolins on the same tune, with same strings, pic, mics, etc. so you could listen and hear differences. Comment below which you like best and we will reveal what each one is in a later video. Thanks to Tom Isenhour for bringing his amazing '23 Loar and '28 Fern to include!!

    We will post another video in a week or so revealing which mandolins are which.

    The mandolins on this recording are:
    1923 Gibson Loyd Loar
    1928 Gibson Fern
    1995 Paul Duff X Braced
    1997 Buckeye Fern
    2004 Gibson Alan Bibey Signature Model
    2010 Northfield Master Model


    Strings used: https://www.curtmangan.com/gabriel-w...dolin-11-5-40/
    Pic used: https://shop.bluechippick.net/products/TD50.html
    Mics: https://www.lewitt-audio.com/microph...ch-stereo-pair

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    Last edited by Gabriel Wiseman; Aug-14-2021 at 12:07pm. Reason: video error
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  3. #2

    Default Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled

    #1 and #3 are my favorites with a small edge going to #1 for my ear.
    Last edited by KMaynard; Aug-14-2021 at 12:54pm.

  4. #3
    Registered User John Bertotti's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled

    I need to get some good headphones on but on my laptop, I liked them all but lean towards 1 or 5. It bounces around a bit for me to keep track of the registers so I need to listen a few more times and with the dt880pro's I like to use for this sort of thing. Thanks for doing this I love to hear different tastings!
    My avatar is of my OldWave Oval A

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  5. #4
    Registered User T.D.Nydn's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled

    That is really cool how you did that..I guess I prefer #6…I think it had the sharpest high end and deepest low end…I’m not sure…

  6. #5
    Registered User John Bertotti's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled

    Hmmm, you really can't go wrong with any of them! They all sound great. I will stick with 1 and 5 but to pick between them I would have to hear them in person, honestly, I would be thrilled with any of them!
    My avatar is of my OldWave Oval A

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  7. #6
    Play on FredK's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled

    This was a tough one. There wasn't one I really didn't like. If I had to pick, 5 was my least favorite. 1, 2 and 3 sound too close to really call but I can tell the difference between them and 6, which I also liked. So, 1, 3, 6 then 2. 4 is an honorable mention. It'll be interesting to see what they are.
    "If your memories exceed your dreams, you have begun to die." - Anonymous

  8. #7
    not a donut Kevin Winn's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled

    All sound fabulous. 1 and 2 are my (slight) favorites, in that order.

    Great playing, too, BTW...
    "Keep your hat on, we may end up miles from here..." - Kurt Vonnegut

  9. #8

    Default Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled

    That was really fun, thank you! I listened to it at least 5 times… the pickin’ was great and the mandolins were great.

    Old Dangerfield is one of my favorite tunes to play, and I always use it to gauge a mandolin, since it uses all 4 strings pretty equally, and spends a lot of time down on the G and D strings, unlike many fiddle tunes.

    My favorites were 1, 3 and 6. Number 2 was also pretty great. Number 4 was the only one that couldn’t quite match the others, in my opinion…

    The inclusion of the Buckeye and the Northfield just proves that you don’t need to spend $100,000 or even $10,000 to get a top-tier mandolin. All 6 were great instruments!
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    Default Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled

    I have listened to this several times on different Head phones and speakers. All of the mandolins sound great. it is going to be very interesting to see the run down of which numbers are which mandolins. Looking forward to it.
    Compliments on the video, great editing. It's very well done. Your playing is great also. Very enjoyable listening.

    Adam

  11. #10

    Default Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled

    I loved listening. All are great but I have a slight preference for #s 6 and 4 because of the excellent low and high note clarity. I also liked #5. I didn't have a strong preference, so maybe it says something about my ears!

  12. #11

    Default Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled

    1 and 5 were the two best, with 1 getting the edge.

  13. #12
    Registered User mandrian's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled

    Hi,

    Preferred No. 1.


    Regards,

  14. #13
    Registered User Gabriel Wiseman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled

    Thanks for giving it a listen!!! And for your “pics”

  15. #14
    Registered User Gabriel Wiseman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled

    Quote Originally Posted by John Bertotti View Post
    I need to get some good headphones on but on my laptop, I liked them all but lean towards 1 or 5. It bounces around a bit for me to keep track of the registers so I need to listen a few more times and with the dt880pro's I like to use for this sort of thing. Thanks for doing this I love to hear different tastings!
    Definitely listen through some quality speakers or phones…. You can hear more of the differences that way.. looking forward to hearing what your final thought are!

    - - - Updated - - -

    Lol. They are all pretty close!! Tough call for sure

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by John Bertotti View Post
    I need to get some good headphones on but on my laptop, I liked them all but lean towards 1 or 5. It bounces around a bit for me to keep track of the registers so I need to listen a few more times and with the dt880pro's I like to use for this sort of thing. Thanks for doing this I love to hear different tastings!
    Quote Originally Posted by mandrian View Post
    Hi,

    Preferred No. 1.


    Regards,
    Thanks for listening and giving your “pic”!!

  16. #15
    Registered User Gabriel Wiseman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled

    Quote Originally Posted by John Bertotti View Post
    I need to get some good headphones on but on my laptop, I liked them all but lean towards 1 or 5. It bounces around a bit for me to keep track of the registers so I need to listen a few more times and with the dt880pro's I like to use for this sort of thing. Thanks for doing this I love to hear different tastings!
    Quote Originally Posted by mandrian View Post
    Hi,

    Preferred No. 1.


    Regards,
    Quote Originally Posted by T.D.Nydn View Post
    That is really cool how you did that..I guess I prefer #6…I think it had the sharpest high end and deepest low end…I’m not sure…
    Thanks! It was a fun little project. I’m in Nashville most of this week but when I get back home I’ll start working on the reveal video and get it out in a week or so after people hav had time to give their input.

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  18. #16
    Registered User John Bertotti's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled

    I have to say as I think about it using the same type of strings on each instrument is not making things equal to my mind. Some builders build with a certain set of strings in mind and may even tweak things for those strings to sound the best. I would like to hear how they sound with the strings the builder thinks work best on them. I think that could really change up the way they sound for me.
    My avatar is of my OldWave Oval A

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  19. #17
    Registered User Brad Grafton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled

    2 then 1. Both had a balanced and bright treble.
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  20. #18
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    Default Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled

    1 and 5 are my quick pick preferences.

  21. #19
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    Default Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled

    Amazing project, thanks for doing this! Quite well done... After 2 listens without headphones, my pref would be, in order: 3-5-1 in the top group, a notch above the remaining group 6-4-2. Looking forward to the emerging consensuses and the ultimate revelation...

  22. #20
    Registered User Gabriel Wiseman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled

    Good Point!
    Gabriel Wiseman
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    Curt Mangan Strings

    2021 Duff 2 Point, 1947 Gibson J-50

  23. #21
    Registered User Gabriel Wiseman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled

    Quote Originally Posted by John Bertotti View Post
    I have to say as I think about it using the same type of strings on each instrument is not making things equal to my mind. Some builders build with a certain set of strings in mind and may even tweak things for those strings to sound the best. I would like to hear how they sound with the strings the builder thinks work best on them. I think that could really change up the way they sound for me.
    Good Point!
    Gabriel Wiseman
    https://poplme.co/pmywrpAD
    www.jtrband.com
    Curt Mangan Strings

    2021 Duff 2 Point, 1947 Gibson J-50

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  25. #22
    Registered User Gabriel Wiseman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled

    Quote Originally Posted by andymando View Post
    Amazing project, thanks for doing this! Quite well done... After 2 listens without headphones, my pref would be, in order: 3-5-1 in the top group, a notch above the remaining group 6-4-2. Looking forward to the emerging consensuses and the ultimate revelation...

    Thanks for listening! Hopefully I can get the final reveal thing done in the next week or so... want to give plenty of time for people to hear and comment as they like and give their "pic" of which they like best.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by sliebers View Post
    1 and 5 are my quick pick preferences.

    Thanks for your "pics"

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by Brad Grafton View Post
    2 then 1. Both had a balanced and bright treble.

    Thanks for listening and giving your "pics"
    Gabriel Wiseman
    https://poplme.co/pmywrpAD
    www.jtrband.com
    Curt Mangan Strings

    2021 Duff 2 Point, 1947 Gibson J-50

  26. #23

    Default Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled

    I thought they all sounded great!

    1 and 3 were my favorites
    4 and 5 were the next tier
    then 2 and 6
    But I'd be happy with any of em!
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  27. #24
    Registered User J Mangio's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled

    With sound / tone being so subjective, I'm amazed that a great deal of people listen with their eyes, not ears.
    2021 The Loar LM700 VS

  28. #25
    Registered User Louise NM's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin Tasting: Gibsons, Buckeye, Duff, Northfiled

    #1 has a richness and depth of tone the others don't, and I like the little bit of sparkle #5 has, especially in its higher register. None are anywhere near dreadful, but when compared to the others #6 seems slightly muted.

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