ok, so i have a few hundred bucks

[ira]

so, finally got a bit of cash together (thank goodness for that 40th birthday!). i want to start playing some open mics by myself. mandola or short scale o-m is what i need for a bit of bottom and sustain to the chording.

what can i get in that range (used is fine) that is reasonable, and which o-m's come in the shortest scale.???

thanks,
ira

[otterly2k]

OK-- so I happened upon this "buyer's guide" which has a pretty thorough listing of what is commercially available, and some small-scale luthiers as well (there are more, of course, but for a few hundred bucks, you're probably looking at the commercially available ones... unless you find a really great deal on a used instrument).

buyer's guide to OM's (http://www.musicaviva.com/buyers-guide/catlist.tpl?instcategory=md8)

[otterly2k]

for a few hundred bucks, you can get any of the Korean made...Trinity College, Tyler Mountain, Fender, etc. Also check out Troubadour. If you're lucky, you might find a used Freshwater or something like that.

[Ted Eschliman]

Happy Birthday, Ira, and welcome to the other side of "40!"
It's great because you're not only smarter, but you have an excuse for not keeping up with those younger whippersnappers.

[otterly2k]

Ira-- hooray for 40th b-day... my 40th b-day present was to go build an OM at Don Kawalek's workshop. A fabulous experience, and a great instrument too, for not a lot more than the cost of these intermediate level OM's. But you'd have to wait for the next time one of these workshops comes around.

[ira]

thanks for the info and good wishes- had a heck of a party at a bar where someone i knew was playing with his band, and i got to jam a bunch of tunes on harp and mando-lots of friends food and libations.
actually getting to create my own-rehearsal, hangout, etc... space in the back of our house as a present from my wife, and got some other nice things from friends. i have the few hundred from some family members so want to spend wisely.
the list above had "ashbury" instruments- anyone know about these?http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[otterly2k]

I hadn't heard of the Ashbury instruments until I looked at that list. It seems to have a lot of UK brands, so I'm wondering if it is an instrument that was distributed there instead of here in the US. Does anyone else know anything about them??

[Adare_Steve]

I hadn't heard of the Ashbury instruments until I looked at that list. Does anyone else know anything about them??
Ashbury is a Korean-made instrument distributed under that name by Gremlin - the wholesale arm of Hobgoblin - in the UK. I retail them in my store in Ireland.

Also, I'm thinking of selling my own hand-made Freshwater OM (with Celtic knot soundhole), for just slightly more than four hundred bucks.

Steve

[steve V. johnson]

Happy B-day, Ira! I'm a resident of the high side (I no longer call it the 'dark side'!!) of 40, by a bunch. It just gets better, pal!
Congrats especially on the new music room! That's a very, very nice gift!

(And, hey, Adare Steve is easy, work him down on his price on that Freshwater! <GGG>)

I can't really add much to Karen's list. I have looked at the Ashburys on Hobgoblin's site, but never seen one in person.
My best advice would be to be patient, watch eBay and add to your OM fund as you can. That's not much, tho, is it? <GGG>

All the best,

stv

[otterly2k]

Heads up, Ira! This would be a nice instrument for you if the shipping costs don't make it prohibitive...and Steve... no fair dangling that Freshwater out there unless you mean it!
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Adare_Steve]

and Steve... no fair dangling that Freshwater out there unless you mean it!
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
OK, OK...I mean it!

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