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Thread: Wondering...

  1. #1
    Registered User Billy Packard's Avatar
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    Default Wondering...

    I don't do a lot of pursuing on the Mandolin Cafe...only about 3-4 times a day!

    Mandolin by John Zeidler
    https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/201423#201423


    I have seen this mandolin in the classifieds numerous times over the last few years and I wonder why it keeps coming back. I am not familiar with the maker but judging by the price he was special. Has anyone played this mandolin? Comments?

    Billy
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  2. #2
    harvester of clams Bill McCall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Wondering...

    As you may not know, John Zeidler passed away over 20 years ago, and I think he is more well known for his arch top guitars. With that, many folks might pass on a fine instrument from a somewhat unknown maker, regardless of quality. I recall that John McGann was quite a fan of his and I believe he owned one of Zeidler's Instruments.

    I've never heard one though.
    Not all the clams are at the beach

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  4. #3

    Default Re: Wondering...

    Hi Billy—I have not played this mandolin but know John Zeidler from his archtop guitars which are also justifiably highly regarded. The guitar I played, years ago at Mandolin Brothers, was very clear, even, and focused. More “classic” than “modern” I would say than, for example, John Monteleone’s work. Of course how that might translate into a mandolin is uncertain, but I would expect a really top shelf instrument. —R.

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  6. #4
    Registered User
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    Default Re: Wondering...

    John McGann had more than a few of Zeidler's instruments that I recall over the years. A mutual friend of McGann and myself used to go stay at Zeidler's in Philly for weeks at a time doing various major home repair and remodeling jobs for Zeidler and always came home with a beautiful instrument as payment...I recall an arch top guitar, mandolin, mandola, mandocello...quite the complete Zeidler collection, all stellar in design, workmanship and sound.
    too many strings

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  8. #5

    Default Re: Wondering...

    I believe that this instrument has been listed on Carters' website for several years. At least I have been drooling over it and "wondering" for what seems like about five years. Always glad that it is still there...just in case, someday. I also think that the selling/asking price has remained exactly the same???

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  10. #6
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Wondering...

    I played one of his mandolins at a noisy guitar show in Long Island, NY back in the early 1980s. I can’t say I could actually remember and probably could not hear anything over the multiple “Stairways to Heaven” being played simultaneously. John was a nice guy and let me play it though. BTW John Monteleone was there too and I could not hear his instruments over the din either. Fun times…
    Jim

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  12. #7
    Registered User Mark Seale's Avatar
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    Default Re: Wondering...

    Like others on this thread, I've seen this mandolin on Carter's website for some time. As luck would have it, I was able to visit a couple of weeks ago and this was one of the instruments I wanted to play. I knew that McGann was a fan and a friend of mine spoke very highly of the maker's guitars. The super friendly folks at Carter's let me take it and a few others into a private room and have at it. On this instrument in particular, I was a bit disappointed. Reputation did not translate into an instrument that I thought was great by any means. The strings were new, so that wasn't a problem. It sounded tight and lacked depth of tone. It wasn't interesting to my ears at all and worse, the playability did not make up for its sound. I felt like the neck angle was off and it made for difficult playing. In my opinion, there was a wall of instruments that I'd choose over the Zeidler as a player, a collector may feel otherwise.

    That being said, if anyone wants to start a gofundme for the Gilchrist A model (I think it's a bit overpriced) or the Monteleone Baby Grand, I'm happy to accept.

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