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
[QUOTE=MrGuineaPigLover;1892782
My problem with finding a good mandolin is that I don't like a lot of styles of music on the mandolin, no disrespect toward bluegrass, and I feel a lot of mandolins have that kind of (twangy?) sound meant for bluegrass whereas I'm looking for a less bright and more mellow tone. Mellow yet resonant. I looked up some demos of a Big Muddy, and it sounded great but a little too bright for my liking.[/QUOTE]
I agree with the mandola suggestion as it sounds to me one may be more to your liking. I do find the clear resonate tones of a mandola to my liking even though I sometimes go long periods without playing it. I incorporate a lot of melody in my playing and predominately learn and play tunes on a mandolin. I find the downside to a mandola is that having first learned a tune on mandolin I must transpose keys to play on a dola. For me not as easy a process for melody as it is for rhythm chords.
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)
I follow Big Muddy on Facebook. Mike is training a new apprentice named Conner, and every once in a while they post some new instrument Conner has built of of wood that has been lying around. You might contact them and let them know your budget, and see if they could come up with a Mandola to fit it. I have found them very easy to work with.
Follow the Flatt Stanley Incident on Facebook
Listen to original tune "When You Fly" by my old band The Kindreds
For something out of the ordinary. Here’s a vintage framus baby black rose deluxe. I have one: very resonant and sweet, much deeper bodied than your average mando. This one is a good price- way less than I paid for mine. https://www.jimmysvintagemusic.com/i...luxe-mandolin/
Thanks for the suggestions guys. A mandola sounds cool. I think I'm starting to think I just don't like the sound of most mandolins. It's just that mandolin comes easy to me (notewise) because I played the violin.
However, I'm looking into other instruments right now, like mountain dulcimers (love the sound of those, but they are hard to find). I will probably come back to the mandolin.
I respect your decision. I don't think mountain dulcimers are too hard to find. https://www.mcspaddendulcimers.com I built a McSpadden kit dulcimer about 30 years ago that I still have. I don't play it too much, but if I was going to get another I might consider one of their shop built instruments. I'm sure there's other builders around.
ONLY if you know what you really want & need. And the answer to that is: Being new to mandolin, your ear, hand feel, and tastes in general will change over the next 6 months, year, 5 years...
Many here have NEVER bought a mandolin new (I admit that my first, a cheapie @ $180, was new). Besides, you can never have too many mandolins!
- Ed
"Then one day we weren't as young as before
Our mistakes weren't quite so easy to undo
But by all those roads, my friend, we've travelled down
I'm a better man for just the knowin' of you."
- Ian Tyson
You may already be aware of this but just in case you're not - octave mandolins and tenor guitars can use GDAE tuning too. While the scale length will obviously be longer the notes will be the same and you can find octave mandolins and tenor guitars within your budget, especially if you check the classifieds here for second hand ones.
2018 Girouard Concert oval A
2015 JP "Whitechapel" tenor banjo
2018 Frank Tate tenor guitar
1969 Martin 00-18
my Youtube channel
My go-to Irish session instrument now is a mandola, tuned D, A, E, B. This requires a custom set of strings, depending on the scale length of the instrument. So I play Irish tunes an octave below the mandolin, which adds a nice bottom end to a session.
Add my voice to those singing the praises of vintage Gibsons - the plain models, without bling, but still made with fine craftsmanship and now some well-aged wood. I've got two plain A (oval holes), both priced between $800-900, both fabulous instruments. Granted, these purchases go back a while, and prices have increased. But keep an eye out while you're considering other options, on eBay, Shop Goodwill, wherever. You never know when one might turn up. Yes, you're weighing buying a new instrument versus a used one, with possible problems. However, if they're manageable, such an instrument may well be worth the effort and extra expense, if any. Both of mine play smoothly, hold their tuning, have full, well-rounded sounds, and ring and ring when played. You won't be disappointed.
But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller
Furthering Mandolin Consciousness
Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!
I think that Irish bouzoukis have the same scale length as octave mandolins. Greek bouzoukis can have a scale length much longer. There is a Gold tone bouzouki in the classifieds with a scale length of over 26 inches. In your price range you will have limited choices but this Eastman in the classifieds could do the trick...
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/198294#198294
NFI
Also this Trinity College...
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/198923#198923
NFI
Charley
A bunch of stuff with four strings
Or how about an Octofone? There are two on ebay right now, one's even got the case!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/23486772207...Bk9SR4CBgYy8YQ and https://www.ebay.com/itm/28503446613...3ABFBMgIGBjLxh
I betcha either one needs some work, though.
Or you could go with one of the new ones, made from the illustrious moon wood
https://www.ebay.com/itm/18303372246....c100903.m5276
But I'm not sure if the new ones are really mandolins, though.
Last edited by Sue Rieter; Jan-23-2023 at 5:32pm.
"To be obsessed with the destination is to remove the focus from where you are." Philip Toshio Sudo, Zen Guitar
Hmm, I'm starting to like Bouzoukis, Octave Mandolins, Mandolas, etc. They address a lot of my problems with the mandolin while having the same playability, and I love the sound of them. I'll give those two a look.
Also journeybear, I trust that the Gibsons are awesome, but a one in good shape is a little out of my budget. Good to hear so much praise about them though.
About the Octofone, admittedly I've never heard of that instrument before. I'll give it a look.
https://www.google.com/search?query=...fe.com%2Fforum
So many instruments, so little time
Last edited by Sue Rieter; Jan-23-2023 at 7:00pm.
"To be obsessed with the destination is to remove the focus from where you are." Philip Toshio Sudo, Zen Guitar
Well, yeah, I said "keep an eye out," and not "sell the car and mortgage the house." Because you never know ... When I got my first one, it was after having to let, I dunno, 10-12 go to someone else, when the bidding got too high. The one I got had a sizeable blemish, pick wear where the pickguard had been removed, and a small crack, <2". I assume these non-threatening flaws kept bidders away; I got it for ~$850. The second was through the classifieds from a longtime member, who didn't seem too interested in making a killing. Both are players, not museum pieces, which suits me just fine. Granted, that first one was 15 years ago, and prices have gone up. But bargains still pop up. So, keep checking, because as a wise man once said, you never know.
But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller
Furthering Mandolin Consciousness
Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!
This Weber octave mandolin just showed up in the classifieds:
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/199233#199233
2018 Girouard Concert oval A
2015 JP "Whitechapel" tenor banjo
2018 Frank Tate tenor guitar
1969 Martin 00-18
my Youtube channel
This Eastman just hit the classifieds and is a steal at $650...
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/199250#199250
NFI
Charley
A bunch of stuff with four strings
Anyhow, I'll let you guys (or folks) know when I decide what instrument I'll be getting.
As per mandola recommendations in your price range I would suggest you look for a Trinity College. Particularly those made in Korea exceed expectations for an instrument in that price range though all I have owned were very good to my hands and ears. I gave a Korean made one to my youngest son when I bought my Weber and he has no intentions of ever parting with it in spite of him owning more expensive custom made mandolas. Not sure what years they were made in Korea but I'm reasonably certain that someone on the Café would know.
Keep in mind a China made is quite good as well.
Just my humble opinion.
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)
Trinity College Octave Mandolin is the one. I love the sound of it based on what I've heard from Youtube. I'm probably not going to get it now though, but wait to get to a place where I can try it out. (I don't mind the extra 30 dollars of buying it new, even if its a little over my budget)
BTW, don't feel the need to reserve any of these options for me, if you were feeling that need. You can go ahead and snag em if you feel the need to.
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