M.A.S. attack! Upgrade from Mid-Mo!

[BluegrassDoc]

I started playing and taking lessons a few months ago, and I've come to the realization that my Mid-Mo M2 is never going to bark like a bluegrass dog http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

I love the thing. I really do. The quality is amazing, I love the sweet tone, and the people at Mid-Mo are top notch. It just doesn't have the bluegrass sound I'm after.

So naturally I want to upgrade, and with the IBMA around the corner, now seems like a great time! Should be plenty of mandolins I can actually wrap my hands around and strum a bit...............now the question.

I've got small hands. Not Emmanuel Lewis small, but pretty darn small. The pinky on the G chop is a doable, but definitely a stretch. I've searched the issue here, and it seems like some makers have a thicker neck, wider nut, etc. Is there a universal consensus on what works best for small hands?

Caveat! I'd like to spend $800-$1200. Used is more than acceptable. Models in my wheelhouse are the Gibson A-9, Rigel A Natural, Eastman 515/615, etc.

Opinions and advice on what I should be looking for? Help me spend some money!

[Douglas McMullin]

If you are looking at the Gibson A9 you should also be looking at the Collings MT. I just got my MT and I am blown away by the quality and sound. I liked the A9 as well, but the sound of the MT was better for me and it went better with my Collings OM2H guitar. That being said I think both the MT and A9 are a little more spendy than what you list as a price range.

[BluegrassDoc]

Yep, the MT is a little steep. And when I said A9, I was talking used. Haven't seen many used MTs in the $1K range. Keep it coming!

[mzbanjo]

There's an A-9 in the classified for $1,000 shipped. I think it's still there, just do a search. Best price I've seen for one in a while. I sold mine right before the last price hike for $800, really wish I hadn't done that. Oh well...

Matt

[PCypert]

Try playing them, but the wider radius boards that Rigel uses may be too much for you. I have bannana hands and find them to be the easiest playing necks out there. Webers felt pretty small to me when I play them.

Paul

[pickinNgrinnin]

An A9 recently sold on ebay for $1082. Looked like a nice one. You might be able to find a used Flatiron A style for $1,200. A couple of Summit's sold on ebay for $700 something. Weber Absaroka's are also in your range.

Keep your eyes open and exercise some patience. There is always another Mando around the corner.

[JEStanek]

If you gotta have the scroll the Eastman may be the best option in that price range new. Used, you may find a gem in those other options for a nice A. Look at some of the Laura Ratcliff As (used) as well.

jamie

[PCypert]

The Laura R's usually have some mighty wide boards though. I completely fogot about Flatty's...sorry. Great mandolin. Performers have been going on that auction site for 1000. Great value in a used mandolin. Pretty much and A5G for a c note less.

Paul

[jim_n_virginia]

Hey Bluegrassdoc I had a Mid-Mo for a long time and played the heck out of it (M-2) but like you I was looking for that bluegrass chop and my Mid-Mo while great for Celtic music just didn't have it.

I upgraded to a Flatiron A style and was happy with that for a few years and then got hit by "scroll envy" and traded up again for #F style Flatiron.

In your price range you could get a real nice used Flatiron A style or a Gibson A if you catch a good deal off of eBay.

And you could get a Michael Kelly or Eastman new in the range you are looking for.

happy hunting! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Professor PT]

Another vote for the A-9: I bought my F-9 on clearance almost a year ago, and the tone is just incredible. In your price range, a used A-9 is an option. These Gibsons sound great from the start--none of that "breaking in" is needed that you hear so much about. They do get even better though. So, is that breaking in or just maturing? I don't know, but they sound good from day one, that's for sure.

[jasona]

PCypert, the Ratcliffs are no wider than Rigels or Breedloves (1 3/16"), in case you saw my mismeasured nut width in the other thread.

In the classifieds currently are a teens Gibson (1200), Rigel A+ (1200). At 1500 you can get a scrolly Silverangel and Bulldog. Be paitent

[Lane Pryce]

I'll put a plug in for the A9. Nice little neck for small hands. Great mandolin too. I have no intrest here but there is an Eastman 515 in the ads. If I did not go for the A9 I'd take the 515 out for a test drive. Lp

[Fred G]

I think the used A-9s are a great value. I have an A-9, F-9 and a BRW and recently had an A5L and the A-9 has one of the best bluegrassy chops of any mando I ever played. And yes the Gibson necks are narrow but some can be thick.

[Tom C]

If you are thinking of selling the Mid-Mo, let me know. My friend's 7yr old daughter wants to play and I told him to keep his eye out for a mid-Mo.

[Greg H.]

Danny Clark has an A9 in the classifieds right now for $950. If you jump on it fast enough you may be able to grab that one. If not, if you're going to gNashville for IBMA you'll be in a huge candy store of mandolins to choose from and try out (everything from the A model Kentuckys to the Distressed MM) so you're sure to find the right mandolin there.

[BluegrassDoc]

Thanks for the great recommendations guys. I'm leaning more and more towards the A9. And Tom C, I'll certainly keep you in mind. By the first of November, I'll probably be looking to move the Mid-Mo. It is mint, mint, mint and I have the Mid-Mo HSC.

Can't wait to go to the IBMA and get my hands dirty!

[Mark Walker]

Gosh - I just talked to Ken last week; he and Laura are going to IBMA but won't be in a booth. He's so busy he's got no mandolins to display - unless he and/or Laura finish one they've been working on for a customer and bring it along. One of Laura's would be great to try out if she's got one there. Look for Ken in his brother Steve's fiddle booth! If nothing else, he's great to chat with and could possibly hook you up with a happy client for a test drive!

[handpicked]

Hey Doc....another vote for the A-9...as many around here already know, Charlie Derrington gave me one back in Sept. '03 via mandolin cafe...(no flames, please, I can tell the whole story if anyone cares to hear it)...I love it...maybe I got the pick of the litter, I don't know, but mine is a very loud little stripped-down bluegrass hot rod...$950 for a used one sounds like a steal to me....I have no plans whatsoever for an upgrade...

[SGraham]

I too have a MidMo M2. Great mando! I too decided to upgrade for the same reason. I ended up buying an Eastman 615 from Steve at Gianna Violins, but I'm keeping the Mid Mo for Celtic and old-time. You should know that the neck on the Eastman is a good deal thicker than the neck on the M2. It was a bit uncomfortable at first, but I quickly got used to it. Now it feels completely normal. I don't know if all the Eastman 615 necks are the same thickness. If they are, you may want to test drive one before you buy.

[Darren Kern]

The MTs I've played don't have anywhere near the bluegrass sound that my A9 had. They sounded nice, but were much more mellow.