Elderly Recon Trip

[Rob Zamites]

Okay, I made a successful trip over to Elderly today, got lots of pictures of 5 instruments:

• Peterson Level 1 - Spruce/Koa
• Peterson Level 3 - Spruce/Quilted-Curly Maple
• Weber Absaroka Octave Mando
• Michael Kelly Octave Plus F-style
• Trinity College Bouzouki

The staff were plenty helpful, albeit curious about me breaking out a tape recorder, camera, notebook --- I told them I was researching for my pals at the CBOM forum at Mandolin Cafe!

The bad news: the recordings on my micro-cassette record sounded like @$(*$#@(*!!, so that won't be included on the webpage I'm going to do. I have to work now, so I'll start on the page tomorrow. There is a real surprise that I'll spring on you folks when the site is done!

Rob

[otterly2k]

that's a cruel, torturous cliffhanger, Rob...!

[Rob Zamites]

Muhahahahahahah! <---- evil laugh ;)

[kyblue]

Oh, puhleeze, cut to the chase. Which one sounded the best, played the easiest?

[VictorLouis]

Go easy on the guy, fellas! He's sure put himself out to "take one for the team". Patience...patience. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[steve V. johnson]

Duuuuuu-uude! This is great, thanks!

Yeah, microcassette recorders... not good. Alas.

But I am really excited about the rest of your work! Above and beyond the call, but a great idea.

Many thanks,

stv

[Rob Zamites]

Just have to add my notes, and the site will be done.....give me another day? Please?

[Tom C]

I'd feel kind of funny taking pictures in somebody's store. Maybe you should ask them first.

[Rob Zamites]

I did ask permission... and they were quite gracious about it, and the fact that I was doing some real research for a group of people that care about this sort of thing. I'm not so crass as to assume it would be okay without checking with someone -- give me some credit, okay? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

And so...here you go:
The Great Elderly OM Review (http://probrewer.dynup.net/elderly.html). Thanks to all of you here that encouraged me to make this trip, share my thoughts, and be supportive in my learning! (kudos especially to Karen and Steve!)

Enjoy!

Rob

[Celtic Saguaro]

The Petersen OM Level 2 - Walnut is conspicuously absent from your review. None there that day? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[steve V. johnson]

Well DONE, oh yeasty one! I've just scanned the page, and haven't gone deep yet, but the presentation is splendid!

Buy that man a BEER!

I can't wait to delve...

Thanks, Bob!

stv

[Rob Zamites]

The walnut level two was gone http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif I did pluck around with it last time I was there (before this epic trip), the biggest thing I remember about it was a deep thudding bass with a sustain like putting your ear on a railroad rail after the train has passed and *feeling* it. It was an awesome piece of work.
Steve, thanks for your kind words. I'm by no means an expert at evaluating these instruments, but I do know what I liked and disliked. So, anyone want to buy my telescope from me so I can score that Trinity College 'Zouk? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif


Rob-not-Bob
The Forum Fermentation Master

[steve V. johnson]

"Rob-not-Bob"

Woops. I bin drinkin', sorry! <GG>

I do like walnut instruments. I haven't found one to own, but I'm very impressed with the sounds.

stv

[otterly2k]

Rob-- what a great report! Thanks! Really good info for all of us.

I suspect that TC zouk really spoke to you partly b/c of the characteristics of zoukdom as compared to the OM's you played. The longer scale generally makes for a sound that leans towards the guitarish, with lots of sustain, etc. Also having the lower strings in octaves is a really different sound from unisons, and clearly appeals to you.

Start saving your pennies! FYI, there's another board here on the cafe with info about a music store that is going out of business and apparently has about a 20% discount going. they have TC instruments (including the zouk) on their site, so you might want to give them a call and see... their bottom line might be closer to what you can afford. NFI, of course.

Welcome to the clan of the CBOM smitten!

[otterly2k]

Or perhaps we should be saying CBOMZ to be inclusive....

[otterly2k]

doh! the B is for bouzouki.
brain in low gear... sorry

[VictorLouis]

Bard,

Thanks so much for your efforts. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

I too was rather taken with the Zouk I got to handle, it's Fender cousin:

http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin....t=27672 (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=16;t=27672)

Would you sign-off on that particular MK as a solo-accompaniment piece, or perhaps with one guitar? Or, are you saying it's so quiet as to be overwhelmed?

[Rob Zamites]

I would place the MKOM as a partner instrument to one other, perhaps a 12 string guitar. Anything more (numerical amounts of instruments) would drown it out.

[VictorLouis]

Thanks.:)