Please Recommend Mando

[DBGaither]

I have been a #mandolin "noodler" for many years. #I have never made much headway I think because the mando I have is very crummy (yard sale Kay, A type, f-holes, blonde). #The mandolin is not my main instrument. #I mainly play keyboards and guitar. #But I want to purchase a very nice instrument that I will keep. #I will do a little of everything on it, but mostly folksy type instrumental fill-in with a band. #I'm not looking for a piercing tone but rather a more mellow sound. #I like the F-type shape a lot. #With either f-holes or oval. #The Weber Bridger-F (http://www.soundtoearth.com/inst_ma_bridgerF.htm) is appealing. #I also like black faced instruments. #So I've also kinda got the hots for the Breedlove Orca (http://www.breedloveguitars.com/products/mandolins/master_class/orca/index.html) even though it does not have the traditional shape. #I will want to be able to plug in. #I don't mind spending $3-5K on an instrument.

I've heard that the larger fret wire and radiused fingerboards on the above instruments make for easier playing. #My problem is, I am in Fresno California and there are no stores locally that carry anything good. #So I really can't try out different instruments easily without some travel.

I'm not fooling myself that a new mandolin is going to make me a great player. #I also know that I will not be making the mando my main instrument. #I've just always wanted nice instruments dad-gummit and after all, I'm going to keep it.

So, what do you have to recommend for me?

[DBGaither]

Sorry, my name is Doug!

[bjc]

Doug, this has been up for NEARLY five minutes and I am surprised you haven't been swamped with replies...maybe there's a BIG pickin' party they didn't tell me about...(many chuckles here)...you will find GREAT advice here...sadly, your price range is closer to what I pay for my cars rather than my mandos...still, you'll find good opinions here. One question that you'll need to answer though is what type of tunes are you going to play? And I hope you've looked in the classifieds...good place to start...good luck and welcome

[J. Mark Lane]

Perfect candidate for a Rigel.

[mtnrose]

Welcome Doug,

you've come to the right place. Webers are great instruments. I have a Bitteroot octave. Weber does do custom orders so a blackface Bridger might be possible. Also check out the builders here at the cafe. You could have one custom built for you and easily be within your price range. Bill Bussman (Old Wave)builds some very sweet mandolins, including blackface F styles. And yes the classifieds are a good place for starters but take your time looking. Theres a lot of great choices out there. Good luck.

[otterly2k]

Doug-
If you troll around on these message boards (and use the search feature) you will probably find more information comparing instruments than you know what to do with! I think there's no substitute for actually playing some. For an investment of this amount of $$, you might want to plan a day trip to some place where you can try a few different instruments, or find a folk music jam or something where you could ask to try other peoples' instruments. Aesthetics are only part of it...it would be a good idea if you can figure out some of your preferences (e.g. radius or no, big or small fretwires, neck profile, f vs. o-hole sound, etc. before shelling out the bucks. On the other hand, you will adjust and adapt your playing to any quality instrument...there are MANY great choices in that price range. My personal favorites for sound and responsiveness are the Phoenixes...am a fan of Old Wave, Collings, Rigel, Weber also (if you like a pretty thick neck). The Orca is pretty sleek looking, I agree...I've never played one. I recently acquired a Quartz OO which is a really nice intermediate level instrument and have every reason to believe that their upper level instruments would be well made and good sounding.

If you decide to go ahead and buy something off the Classifieds before you have a chance to play and compare some in person, I'd suggest two strategies...1) negotiate a trial period so that you can return it if it doesn't suit you, and 2) buy something with known resale value so that if you decide it's not what you want you can sell it or swap for something of similar value.

Best of luck! and enjoy the search.
KE

[GVD]

My problem is, I am in Fresno California and there are no stores locally that carry anything good. #So I really can't try out different instruments easily without some travel.

To quote Paul Simon "Get on the bus Gus". What me or anyone else likes in a mandolin may or may not be what you like. If you have to do some traveling then do it. The worst thing you could do is drop 3K+ based on someone else's recommendation and end up unhappy. Take your time and play every mandolin you can possibly get your hands on. When you find the right one it will choose you.

GVD

[Pedal Steel Mike]

Perfect candidate for a Rigel.
I'm very happy with my A+ deluxe.

[swampstomper]

I second the advice to try some out. It's well worth a trip to a reputable dealer. Tell them your price range and sit in their acoustic room (they have one, right? or else they're not a serious dealer) and play, play, play. It's the sound YOU want and the feel YOU want....

Having said that, you get a lot more mandolin for your money with an A than an F, especially if you are now just a "noodler" and want a nice instrument on which to improve. An F is easily $1k more for similar quality and honestly at your level the sound difference if any will be impossible to hear. Go for playability and tone, not looks.

You can do very, very nicely in the $2k range on a A. But play them!

[groveland]

I'm very happy with my A+ deluxe.

Also happy with the Rigel A+ Deluxe. Good size frets, radius neck, plays well, pretty, great tone, curves are forearm-friendly. Street price is well below the makes and models you mentioned.

Craig

[Daniel Nestlerode]

Doug,
It's time for a road trip, maybe two! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
- Buffalo Brothers in Carlsbad
- McCabe's in Santa Monica
- Fifth String in Sacto
- Fifth String (unrelated)in Berkeley
- Gryphon Stringed Instruments in Palo Alto
- Schoenberg's in Tiburon (Marin County where you could also pay a visit to Banana who runs www.vintageinstruments.com (http://www.vintageinstruments.com))

I live in Modesto and I completely understand the problem of a lack of service for folks who play mandolin. I wish we had a shop in the San Joaquin Valley, but I'm thinking that the valley economy just wouldn't support a music shop that stocks and sells high end mandolins, guitars, & banjos. Though some market research might be in order.

Good luck, and let us know how your search progesses.

Best,
Daniel

[R_Parent]

Doug, I would vote for the Weber Yellowstone. I purchased a matching mandolin and mandola a couple years back and have been very satisfied. They were nice people to deal with and will build the instrument with whatever options you would like.

[Newtdude]

Hi Doug,
Your description of what you want in a mandolin has made us Rigel lovers darn excited for another convert! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif #They have a tone that works well for bluegrass, but has a more mellow sound than most bluegrass mandolins (in my opinion -- tone is not simple to describe or evaluate). #The fat neck and radiused fingerboard are comfortable, and they sound great plugged in. #The company is full of nice people, too. #I have a G110 (purchased used in the classifieds), but if I had up to $5000 I'd spring for the CT110 or the G5 (the latter has a more traditional F shape, though it isn't completely traditional at all).

Everyone who says you should play a diversity of instruments before making a purchase is right, of course. #I'll also add that I've never played a Breedlove Orca, but they sure look gorgeous!!!!

Enjoy!
Shawn http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[mandroid]

quote: # I will want to be able to plug in.

Breedlove has the built in option of a #Schertler C Dyn M contact microphone pickup.
I like the Schertlers tone better than the piezo in the mando Ive got.
mine [S] isn't built in , I ignore the inbridge [pzo] one on my Lebeda.

LOCAL got an A style from breedlove , it sounds fine , looks good.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[8ch(pl)]

I would look at a Weber Absoroka. I played one and was impressed. I recommend it over the Yellowstone mostly because I believe the scroll is a waste of money.

[Brad Weiss]

If you're willing to spend 3-5K you should think about spending a couple hundred to travel to a few shops where you can play what you're thinking of getting. #DNestler's got it right. #Rigel's style fits the preferences you describe- but go play something before you spend that kind of money!

[Eugene]

I'm not looking for a piercing tone but rather a more mellow sound. #I like the F-type shape a lot. #With either f-holes or oval.
Let's assume for a moment that sound has as much to do with desirability in a musical instrument as superficial appearances. If this is true, your post says to me "I would like the sound of an oval-holed mandolin." The profiles Gibson established as A- or F-style have never been documented to have anything to do with any measurable tone quality. On the other hand, f-holed mandolins tend to have a strong, percussive attack (as is favored by bluegrassers and practitioners of the "chop" chord) with most of the sonic spectrum having a very rapid decay leaving a rather thin sustain. Oval-holed mandolins have a smoother, mellower attack, but more even sustain across the range of their voice. Of course, no generalization holds up universally when discussing something as variable and complex as musical instruments made of natural wood.

Sure, there are fine instruments by Weber (I especially like their oval-holed pieces), Breedlove (they make fine instruments at every level, but the entry-level stuff has excrementitious hardware, worthy of immediate upgrade), Rigel, etc., etc. However, if you really are ready to step up and spend over $3,000, you might want to consider something simply decorated but uniquely yours from a little boutique shop like CMI (http://users.erols.com/judcohen/), Old Wave (http://www.oldwavemandolins.com/), BRW (http://www.brw-instruments.com/) (you can commission Ben's first oval hole!), Buchanon (http://www.folkmandolin.co.uk/), Woll (http://www.woll-mandolinen.de/), Celtic Cross (http://hem.passagen.se/cittern/celtic/), Jack Spira (http://www.jackspiraguitars.com/Mandolins.htm), Peter Coombe (http://www.petercoombe.com/), Stephen Owsley Smith (http://www.celticmusic.com/steve/), Davidson (http://www.davidsoninstruments.com/), Sheba (http://www.sheba.ca/), Devil's Dream (http://www.devilsdreammandolins.com/), Sawchyn (http://www.sawchyn.com/), Doug Woodley (http://www.12fret.com/retail/mwoodley.htm), Will Hirsch (http://hirschguitars.com/), Neil Dean (http://www.neiljdeanmandolins.com/), Michael Lewis (http://www.michaellewisinstruments.com/), Driftwood (http://www.driftwoodmandolins.com/), or any number of others. No, I haven't played all these, but I have played several. Some that I have and of which I think very highly for their quality at extremely reasonable prices are CMI, BRW, and Old Wave.

[Eric F.]

Oh, the mind reels at the possibilities in this price range. Old Wave C# oval? Rigel G110? Peter Coombe oval or F hole? The Gavin Baird oval in the classifieds right now? Man, if I had the three grand, I would have bought that already. I think the best advice is to go somewhere with a lot of mandolins, and play them. Not just the F hole models, not just the F styles, but play a range of serious mandolins from Mid-Missouri on up to ... whatever they have. Then decide if you want one of those or are willing to place an order with one of the boutique builders, such as the ones Eugene mentioned.

P.S. Eugene, I am going to have to work "excrementitious" into my vocabulary.

[Charlie Ayers]

I can certainly recommend Mowry mandolins (www.mowrystrings.com). I have a new F5 by him that cost at the very lowest end of your budget. Local players have been quite impressed with it. It plays easily, has perfect workmanship, a varnish finish, and complexity of tone.

Charlie

[Pedal Steel Mike]

I will want to be able to plug in.
As far as I know, and I could be mistaken, Weber's do not not come with any kind of pickup. Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong about this.

All Rigels have a built in transducer pickup. They do not however have any kind of built in pre-amp or volume or tone controls, the reason being that these things interfere with the instrument's acoustic sound. Instead it is necessary to use some sort of external pre-amp.

At present I'm using an MXR Micro amp which only boosts the volume, but will soon be replacing it with a Boss AD-5 which has tone controls, chorus and reverb.

The bottom line is that when you get into the price range you're talking about, anything you get is going to be a fine instrument that will make you happy. it's no longer a question of what's best, but rather what appeals to you an a subjective gut level. If the Orca turns you on, then that's what you should get.

[atetone]

Here's a pleasant thought,,, you could buy that Old wave in the classifieds just to tide you over till Mr Bussman built you an F hole model.
Of course you would end up keeping both of them in the end and be all set.
Hmmm,,, I've got to to sell some mandos and actually move on some of these great ideas I keep conjuring up. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[jasona]

I will want to be able to plug in.

All Rigels have a built in transducer pickup.
Not true--the A Natural does not have a pickup. All Rigels being built CURRENTLY do have a pickup to the best of my knowledge. They sound great, are loud, tonally complex, and look aces IMO. At your price point you have a wonderful array of options.

[GBG]

If I had $3-5M,I would not fail to check out a Collings. As much as I like oval holes (and I have one), if I only had one mandolin for all seasons it would be f holed.

[dr.jazz]

One point - this will probably not be your last mandolin (at least I hope not - :-) ) Don't let mando-angst get to you!
It ain't that big a deal. Get a good mandolin and start playing.
Just buy a good one with a pedigree so when you are ready for a change, you can trade, sell, or otherwise move up to the next level.
The most important thing is to get one you want to play! From where you are coming, that won't be difficult. A great instrument just makes you want to be a better player - so you become one!
Good Luck!! Let me know when you buy your Heiden!

[Eugene]

Oddly enough, I see a wide array of f-holed worshippers imposing their acoustic aspirations on poor Mr. DBGaither in spite of the fact that he expressed no preference for "either f-holes or oval," but went on to describe a preference for tone that most would equate to an oval-hole mandolin.

[Brad Weiss]

I'd still say play it before you buy it, esp at this price point. That said DB has expressed his "hots" for an Orca, and - having played a Rogue which is it's blonde equivalent - it would seem to fit the tonal and playability preferences he has expressed. These Breedloves sound more "sweet" than "woody" or piercing, but have a ton of complexity and good sustain, even w/ f-holes. Try one and see if you like it (before you buy it, if possible!)

[Eugene]

Eugene, I am going to have to work "excrementitious" into my vocabulary.
It's my favorite adjective. Try it in favor of its more "colorful" colloquial equivalent. "Excrementitious" is guaranteed to not get you bleeped on television.

[Pedal Steel Mike]

I will want to be able to plug in.

All Rigels have a built in transducer pickup.
Not true--the A Natural does not have a pickup. All Rigels being built CURRENTLY do have a pickup to the best of my knowledge. They sound great, are loud, tonally complex, and look aces IMO. At your price point you have a wonderful array of options.
I did not know this. Thank you for mentioning it.

Does anybody know if Weber makes an amplified instrument?

[steve in tampa]

Weber uses McIntyre Acoustic feather pickups as an optional upgrade

[R_Parent]

Mike,

I had both of my Weber instruments fitted with McIntire Feather transducers from the factory. To be honest I have not used them all that much but they do sound better than the Fishman bridge pickup I had on my Flatiron A style. Not as brittle and mechanical sounding to my ears.

[DBGaither]

Wow, thanks for all of the reply's. I really like the F-style shape (scroll). The holes could be either oval or F-holes. The Orca's beauty has seduced me. It is a modern shape and I love the black gloss. I have heard that ovals have a more mellow tone than the f-holes. So, maybe I'm lookng for something like an F4.

I realize that I will have to drive to try. But even and some of the great stores that are "closer" to me, they only have a few. Looks like I'll have to drive all over the state to try a good sampling of mandos.

Doug