Fylde Touchstone mandos

[celtichead]

I'm interested in Fylde Touchstone mandolins. It looks like the larger soundbox, longer scale, and wider neck create a unique instrument. But what do they sound like? Does anyone know of any soundfiles, CD's, etc. on the web that give an idea of what they sound like? #Thanks! # p.s thanks to everyone's advice about mandolas. Looks like a luthier is the way to go.

[kmmando]

I think they are excellent instruments, and one or two I have played were beautiful sounding well made professional instruments. They don't sound unlike my small bodied spruce top Sobell, with a nice bell like sound. Excellent value and thoroughly recommended.

[Bertram Henze]

I can contribute a quarter of truth with mp3 files on my website (under "music"). Why a quarter? - truth is halved by the fact that the mp3s show a Fylde Touchstone Octave Mandolin, so imagination is needed to transpose up one octave, and the half is further halved by the inevitable influence of strings, string age and other setup parameters.

[celtichead]

Sounds kinda like a Sobell...ah, that's music to my ears! Kevin, most editorial copy on the Touchstone say they are "LOUD". #Is this true?? Do they really cut through in a session? #And Bertram, thanks for the octave mp3--sounds great!

[steve V. johnson]

I've had a couple of Fyldes, various models, one Touchstone octave (20 7/8" scale), and I think that they are very well-built, very nice instruments.

Of the ones I've had or played, I'd say that they were all ... um... sufficiently assertive, but the Touchstone OM was loud.

stv

[Moose]

No financial interest here.., but Chas. Johnson(Mandolin World Hqtrs) website has one for sale ; Chas. is an OK guy - I've bought, traded, AND sold from him. Moose. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[keithd]

I believe the early Danu CD's feature a Fyle OM.

Keith

[trebleclef528]

For a flat back I think they are outstanding instrument,s. Their single malt touchstone (http://www.fyldeguitars.com/)which I thought at first was just a gimmick, has an absolutely outstanding sound quality.

About 9 members of our orchestra now own touchstones, not always for use in the orchestra, but i think that gives a reasonable indication of how popular they are.
Best wishes,
ian
mandolinscotland.org (http://www.mandolinscotland.org)

[xylogoat]

This is a mp3 of my Touchstone (http://www.sheetmusicroom.com/mando_cooleys.mp3), there is no post processing and it was recorded on a fairley cheap mic, also try to here past my poor playing http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif , it really is a lovely sounding instrument.

[celtichead]

Xylogoat, This should be exactly what I need!! Unfortunately, I can't open the mp3 file. The link takes me to www.sheetmusicroom.com/mando_cooleys.mp3 but then it says "page not found". Any suggestions for what I'm doing wrong? Thanks for you efforts!!

[xylogoat]

Strange, works for me. Try right-clicking the link and downloading the file (it's only about 600k), then play it with whatever you play mp3s with.

[celtichead]

Xylogoat, Worked!! You're right, it has a wonderful sound. Just what I'm looking for. Thanks so much for your efforts. p.s. your playing was great.

[eljaspero]

Second my appreciation of xylogoat's mp3, that's a nice version of a great tune and the mandolin sounds wonderful!

I'm also in the early stages of shopping around for a new mandolin, having tired of playing Celtic and Nordic music on a battered F5 copy. I can't tell from the Fylde website...are the mandolins archtops or flat?

[Martin Jonas]

Flat.

Martin

[mad dawg]

For a flat back I think they are outstanding instruments. Their single malt touchstone (http://www.fyldeguitars.com/)which I thought at first was just a gimmick, has an absolutely outstanding sound quality...
I have always been intrigued by this instrument -- what does it sound like?

(For that matter what does it smell and taste like http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif )

[Mandobar]

there is a guy over on blogger.com named kim ayres who has one. he is very open to questions about it. he's a scot i believe living in wales. (i may have gotten that all backwards, but it is early here on the east coast right now)???

http://kimayres.blogspot.com/2005/11/mandolin-heaven.html

[withak]

Does Fylde rhyme with "field" or with "wild"? Enquiring minds want to know.

[kmmando]

wild.

Its a place in Northern England

Kevin

[kimayres]

Actually I'm English living in Scotland, but don't let it worry you.

I bought the Single Malt Touchstone Mandolin about 3 months ago and I'm delighted with it. I also think it looks as good as it sounds.

Kim Ayres
http://kimayres.blogspot.com/
http://kimayres.blogspot.com/2005/11/mandolin-heaven.html

[Mandobar]

welcome, kim!