Low Budget MAS

[garyblanchard]

I just bought a Johnson F-style mandolin to go with the Johnson A-style I already own. While many people look down on these, I am quite happy with the way they sound and play. As I play a variety of instruments and play out on a very occaisional basis, I like to find affordable instruments that are playable and look nice. If you totalled the cost of all 8 instruments that I own it wouldn't come to $1,000. All of my instruments are Asian imports except the cookie-tin banjo, and the cookie tin might be imported. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I know that I am, as usual, swimming against the tide. Is there anyone else out here who is willing to step forward and admit that they don't long to own a (insert high-end brand name here)?

(I must confess that I am now thinking of a Johnson oval hole mandolin. Hmmm. Still under $1,000 total.) # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

By the way, you can view my low-budget instrument collection at www.Brookfieldsmusic.net (http://www.Brookfieldsmusic.net)

Well, some folks collect McDonalds happy meal toys..... If you find collecting happy meal mandos enjoyable, more power to you. Look at the problems you've saved your heirs.....no appraisals needed, no high dollar items to deal with. Just a quick garage sale & the instruments are liquidated......sounds like a plan to me..........

[fatt-dad]

I too have quite a collection of instruments. Regarding the Asian imports, my decisions are based on whether the instrument is all solid wood (many are laminated) and whether I would be able to sell one and not feel like I was product dumping. If you own several "real" mandolins, it doesn't take too much training to cull the crappy Asians from the better ones. That said, my best luck has been with Kentucky and Aria, my worst luck with Alvarez (way too variable) and Ibanez is somewhere in the middle. I have an "all plywood" Hondo in my office and for $41.00 it serves me well.

If your alternate choice was to purchase an $800 A-style Flatiron, I would sell the Asian stuff and buy the Flatiron. If you can keep all of them, you should still eventually get a "real" mandolin.

Good luck with your collection. I have no doubt that you have found some real good Asians - it's the bad ones that give them the reputation.

f-d

[cutbait2]

its unlikely asian imports will ever be considered "collectable" although i guess more than one is a collection. note the famous "dawg" still only brings about $2500. the best you can hope for is that over the long term inflation will help offset depriciation. as far as satisfaction with a low price mando sure why not, my midmo sounds pretty good.......

[Blind_Cowboy]

I gotta 2 year old. When he was born, I started collecting hot wheels for him. I've figured out enough to know which one are toys, and which ones are collectables. So, a couple of weeks ago, he finds the stash of cars and pulls out a bunch. He starts opening the packages, and playing with them in the hall. Vroom. One's worth ~.60 cents, one's worth ~60 dollars. Doesn't matter to him. They're both fun, and he ain't looking at the cost appreciation during the next 10 year blah, blah, blah. He's just playing with his cars. Well, that's what I bought them for, isn't it?

[duuuude]

Yep, I'm a fellow PacRim owner, Johnson, Bestler, and Oscar Schmidt/Washburn, can't beat 'em if yer just lookin for bang for your buck. I'll start pickin' up the collectibles when I turn pro, or win the lotto, LOL. For now I'm just enjoying the pickin' and don't have to worry about damaging or losing something worth lots more.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[Staramouche]

Gary--
# I think I've got your twin A-style Mando! #Eventually I hope to be like George J and "Move on Up" to a homegrown version, my granny's 1913 Vega (sniff), but for now I love my import, and she loves me (long time)! #There is no shame! #

I also have 2 Burger King "Ring of Power" happy meal toy sets, I think they were made in Asia too.

~~~~~~~~~~~~Joe

[John Zimm]

I am the proud owner of a Michael Kelly Firefly Flame, and I love it. I am not concerned at all with its value 100 years from now-it won't matter to me. It has great sound, is great fun to play, and is pleasing to my eye.

That said, I would love to own a Weber one day. Maybe in a year or two.

-John.

Gary, I went & checked out your website... I really admire what your doing!

[garyblanchard]

Gary, I went & checked out your website... I really admire what your doing!
Thanks, Dale. It is a different sensibility but one that I think has a place in our world. We are losing the "home-grown" feel of music and all the ordinary people who played Sears and Roebuck & Montgomery Ward instruments on front porches and street corners.

There is a definite need for professional musicians who play professional quality instruments. I also see the need to keep our heritage alive. I hope to do that through my music and my low-budget arsenal.

Your reply warmed my heart. It is nice to see people accept my "mission." Thanks again.

[John Flynn]

Question for the group: In the under $400 (actual purchase price) A-style F-hole import class, does any one brand or model stand out or they all about the same? I am looking to get a decent "beater." Typical dicotomy: I want to spend as little as possible and get as much as I can. My main mando is a Rigel, so I am spoiled, LOL!

[elenbrandt]

My momma always used to say -- "Whatever floats your boat." I like the fact that you are doing what you want to do and can ignore the snob element. I am that way about my cars -- keep it simple, used, and functional. Good enough for me (even though I am a Brentrup 'ho...) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[cutbait2]

Gary, great website, I like your philosophy in general terms but I think if you really want that "homegrown" feel on a budget, and the mail order look you'd own a midmo. great old time tone, look, and playability.

[Bluegrass Boy]

I was glad to see Dale's nice compliment of Gary's website. I know people can sometimes be somewhat derogatory of other peoples instruments. That is totaly unecessary. Never let someone make you feel inferior about what instrument you play. If it makes good music, it's a good instrument.

[Dru Lee Parsec]

I also started on a Johnson A style. #It's almost exactly the one that Gary has but my paint job was more yellow. #After a good amount of work in my shop (see this thread: #http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=12;t=14069 ) it started to play pretty darn well. #I learned a lot on that instrument and it gave me what I needed at the time for my newly found mandolin fascination.

Having said that, when I played my Breedlove I knew it was the one for me. #The better instrument not only sounded better (to me) but even after all my repairs to the Johnson the Breedlove still played a lot easier.

However, if the instrument does what you need it to do then Awesome! #It got me into playing mandolin for $59 and fueled my passion. #Now that I have a nicer instrument I gave the Johnson to a young, and very intense, 9 year old who showed a real spark for music. #I taught him basic G C and D two finger chords and after 2 days he sat in at a bluegrass slow jam. Would I have been as ready to give away my $1000 Breedlove? Probably not. But I was certainly willing to pass on the $59 Johnson and perhaps help this young man also find a passion for music.

So yeah, I totally think that the cheaper instruments have their place. I didn't start playing guitar with a Martin and I didn't start playing mando with a Lloyd Loar (or will I ever most likely). But the instruments I did have fueled the passion to play so they did their job and did it well.

[psann]

Nice website. That cookie tin banjo is a real pleasant surprise. Pretty cool. I enjoyed your clip of Shady Grove.

Pat

[Ranger]

i'll join the club...
i think my Woods (Samick) mando qualifies here. i had started playing years ago on another mando, "lost" that one, lol. finally decided that i might want to play again. maybe. so i didn't want to spend big $$$ yet. played the Woods, liked it, fair price, i'm happy.
unfortunately i'm spending more time playing it which means i think i may upgrade in the next year or so, other half will not be happy... oh well!
when i upgrade i will...
A: keep this one for my son to start learning on...
B: keep it till i find someone who wants to learn and give/sell it to them...
C: put it up for sale
it works for me, i'm not playing on stage, crowding into a jam, or anything like that. i play to relax myself, challenge my mind, and see how long i can go at it till my fingers revolt and quit playing. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
Ranger

[sbarnes]

i have an american product name on an 'asian' mando....
Fender.....not great but nice enough for a beginner...
as a matter of fact i've seen 'rascal flats' using the same one live....
i probably wouldn't do justice to an expensive mando now...
i also have an 'asian' fender telecaster, probably an 'asian' ovation guitar as well as several bonefide classics....les paul ('57), hummingbird, precision bass, gretch tennessean, etc., etc.,,
the classics stay in the closet - the 'asians' get played more....

[cutbait2]

i not trying to turn this into a domestic vs import discussion. all i'm saying is Gary indicates he's into a "down-home", "back to the beginnings" concept. if thats the case a US made flat top fits the image better. parsons, midmo, kit built, homemade.......whatever

[garyblanchard]

I am not against buying American. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

At this point, in an average performance I might do 30 to 45 songs. Probably 60% are played on the guitar and 35% are played on the banjo. That leaves 5% played on ukulele, autoharp, and mandolin. It makes it difficult to justify hundreds of dollars for a mandolin. As someone pointed out in my query about using a pick, the mandolin is not a solo instrument and my fiance's guitar playing is not at a point to allow many duets, so the mandolin is used for 2 or 3 songs at best right now.

I started attending college at the age of 42, graduating with a BA in 1998 and an MA in 2002. I will be paying student loans until I am 76! (Seriously.) #My field, addictions counseling, is not the best paying field, so I am working 2 jobs. This makes it difficult to squeeze out
money for instruments.

I am planning a move to New England, quite possibly later this year. Once I get settled I hope to put together a small string band. At that time I might be able to justify to myself buying that Mid-Mo.

Thanks to all for your nice comments. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[cutbait2]

Well there's your problem, you are undervalueing the mandolins potential contribution to your show. Pre-Carter('27, Bristol,Va) the US guitar in rural white folk music was pretty much a background instrument with fiddle taking the lead. Only since the development of the flatpicking style has it risen to its present prominence in hill music. The mandolin followed a similar timeline in folk music. The fiddle and banjo preceded. You need to get that mando up to at least 30% or so. Best of Luck. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[GaryM]

I really enjoyed looking at your site Gary. What a wonderfull sounding Banjo that is!! Sounds like "High quality" cookie tin to me! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[John Zimm]

Thanks, Dale. It is a different sensibility but one that I think has a place in our world. We are losing the "home-grown" feel of music and all the ordinary people who played Sears and Roebuck & Montgomery Ward instruments on front porches and street corners.
It makes me want to clean up the old Montgomery Ward archtop acoustic that I recently inherited. Cool website.

-John.

[Russ(String-Alley)]

Yup, what our buddy Gary is doing is the real deal. How I pine for the days of the victrola and the parlor concert.
I dig!
Russ
"have pick, will party"

[jim simpson]

Gary,
As you noted, your chosen field as an addictions counselor is not of the highest paying. Perhaps many on this board could be of help. It seems that many of us are suffering with MAS. If we could get help to stop buying and collecting, we would be able to pay you a fee for online counseling. You've got a potential goldmine right here!
Jim

[garyblanchard]

Gary,
As you noted, your chosen field as an addictions counselor is not of the highest paying. Perhaps many on this board could be of help. It seems that many of us are suffering with MAS. If we could get help to stop buying and collecting, we would be able to pay you a fee for online counseling. You've got a potential goldmine right here!
Jim
That's an idea. Instead of marketing it to members on this board Ill market to the spouses! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif