Just For Fun

[stefeb]

Had an hour between appointments, so just for fun, I thought I'd pop into the local music store where I bought my Yellowstone (had to sell), and where I purchased my Mid-Mo.

They carry Weber's, Breedlove's and Mid-Mo's, and have an equal number of Weber's and Breedlove's.

Last time I was in the store, I played a Breedlove McKenzie, and loved everything about the mandolin, from fit, to finish, to playability, tone, etc. I thought, "This is my next mandolin." So today, I saved it till last, knowing that it would be far better than the others he had.

I started with a Yellowstone. Sounded good, but not quite the tone I was looking for. Tried a Beartooth, same result. Then played a Breedlove Columbia, once again nice, but not the tone that I remembered that the McKenzie had. Then, I picked up the McKenzie, played it, and for the life of me, couldn't figure out why I had fallen in love with this instrument. It was very nice, but, once again, not the tone I was looking for.

Celtic music is mainly what I play, with a bit of Italian folk songs thrown in, and I thought the Columbia (round hole), or the McKenzie (f hole), but versatile would suffice.

I was about to leave the store when the owner came over and asked me if I tried the Breedlove Cascade. I had not, since the Columbia was basically the same mandolin, but with a round hole. Well, I picked up the Cascade, played one note, and was blown away. Then I played some more, and some more, and, Lordy, was I hooked. It was exactly the tone I was looking for, and to my ears sounded much better than the instruments that were twice the price.

MAS struck, and it struck hard, but alas, my finances are still not healed, and I can only hope that Cascade will be there when I can afford to purchase it. Man, what a fantastic instrument. Everything I wanted and more.

Just for fun...Gotta be careful, but I'm glad I stopped in.

[TommyK]

Proof positive that you should fall in love with a mandolin, not a brand.
I could relate a similar story about a shotgun, but that's off topic.

[PlayerOf8]

Reminds me of a girl named Rita, and that is completely off the subject.

George

[Jim Garber]

Is there much structural difference between the Cascade and the Mckenzie? The woods and the shape are the same. The price difference is considerable. That is why itis great to have that selection of these instruments to A-B.

Jim

[man doh]

stefeb,

I see you are in Pa. curious what music store you were at?

[stefeb]

stefeb,

I see you are in Pa. curious what music store you were at?
Meadowood Music, just outside of Kutztown, on Route 222 South.

Real nice people.

[man doh]

hey Stefeb,

I was just at Meadowood this morning. I own a Cascade and is my current favorite.

[luckylarue]

What about a lay-away plan or Mid-Mo trade? My philosophy is when you find "The One", do whatever it takes to make it happen - "...by any means necessary..."

[Pedal Steel Mike]

I agree with LuckyLarue. Put a deposit down on the Cascade immediately, and pay whatever you can whenever you can. If you wait till you have enough to buy it, it will be gone.

[swampstomper]

This reminds me of a conversation I had with Jiri Lebeda a month or so ago at EWOB (European World of Bluegrass), when I bought his A+ master model. I could play and compare his mandos, Pruchas, and some nice used instruments from another vendor. I completely fell in love with the mando I bought and sure had to stretch my finances to quench the unstoppable mandolin lust I got playing this particular instrument.

Well, Jiri was saying how he just could not fathom how anyone could buy any instrument (his or others) unplayed from the internet. No worries about security -- he was also talking about buying from a reputable dealer or via the Café classifieds. The point was -- you have to play the mandolin and wait for it to grab you! Maybe it's the feel of radiused (or flat) board or a thick (or thin) or round (or V) neck or of course the sound quality where *you* like to play and with *your* attack. Jiri had a very nice J (two-point), the A I bought, some F's with different qualities, and they were all really good instruments -- but the others that I did not buy would not have satisfied what *I* was looking for -- the next guy will fall in love with the J or the F or the Prucha or the used Weber or Flatiron.

I like looking at the mandos on the classifieds as well as any, but after this experience I think I'll stick to buying where I can play a lot of instruments. Or at least where I can visit and play the instrument before making an offer. I know about approval; that can work too but then you have only your current mandos and the one that just came to compare.

Anyway, congrats. on your mandolin lust and if it were me I would go put down a deposit to keep it available -- if it's the ONE you don't want it to get away.