Michael Kelly Legacy O

[muzicmaken]

Hi everyone...

I'm new here although I''ve been reading the site for a while there is a lot of great information and very nice people here.

I"ve been playing mandolin for about 5-6 months, played guitar for about 25 years. I've started on a Michael Kelly MKL Festival Pack and a Epiphone mm50.

I went the past week and played a few mandolins and found a Micael Kelly Legacy O even went back again to play it before I bought it. I ended up trading the Epihphone towards it and bought it.

After I got it home one of my buddies did a A/B test with his Eastman 800 series and my Michael Kelly Festival and the new Legacy O. Both the Mk Festival and the Eastman had much better low end and the LEgacy had NO low end but it's high end was much much clearer and cleaner than the MKF and the Eastman. I was disappointed after hearing the test that there was no low end.

My Question is: IS there something I can do to bring out the low end on the Legacy O? I really like it but like I said lacks low end. Any suggestions is greatly welcome. At this moment I'm kinda discouraged with the Legacy O..

ken

[johnwalser]

First, you need someone to check how well the bridge is fitted to the top. When this is done perfectly, it is amazing how much better sound is produced.
An Allen cast tailpiece also has worked for me with that low end tone I so dearly love.
Seam flexing has worked for me also, but needs to be done by someone with a great deal of mandolin setup experience. I've learned to do my own mandolin work, but unless you're quite handy and have lots of time to learn the necessary skills, go find a mandolin EXPERT in your area to do a FULL setup. The kid at the local Guitar Center does not count. No matter what you pay this expert to set up your instrument, it will pay you back with a a much richer playing experience.
John

[Stillpicking]

I agree with John on the setup advice. I own a Legacy "O" and spent the $ for a good setup. I also added a Allen solid tailpiece and switched out the bridge for a Steve Smith ebony bridge & pearl nut. I have TI starks (heavies) on it and the bottom end is very loud, also has a nice balanced tone across the higher strings.

The Legacy "O" is a fine mandolin just takes a little tweaking to get it to its full potential. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[muzicmaken]

Thanks John and Stillpicking for replying.

This model has the newest Allen Tailpiece. In MOP I think is one of the best looking tailpieces I've seen as well as putting strings on it.

I'll take it as you suggested and get it setup. I hope that will bring out the low end. Like I said it has great high end and very nice and clear and clean but it lacks that warm sound with the lows..

ken

[jim_n_virginia]

I had a Lrgacy O a while back (traded it in) and mine had a lot of low end straight out of the store. You might want to try different or heavier strings. I strung mine up with J-75's as soon as I got in home and it had that low end oval sound we all know and love!

Oh yeah +1 on checking the bridge it might not be fitting right and slipped through QC.

good luck

[Celtic Saguaro]

I agree with Jim-n-Virginia. Check your G strings. If they aren't at least .040 on the O-Legacy that's probably the difference.

[VictorLouis]

My former Legacy-O also had great low-end, and that was with a standard tailpiece. Eye-ball the BASE of the bridge under a strong reading lamp. If you see light creeping under the curve of the base, between the base and the top, then a re-fit is in order. If you don't, then move-on to some heavier strings.

[johnwalser]

I sort of disagree about eyeballin' the bridge while it is under the pressure of the strings. Taking ALL the string pressure off first will insure that the top is not conforming to the bridge by the pressure of the the strings forcing down on the bridge. The top is a big part of producing the sound of the mandolin and should not be forced out of shape by a poor fiting bridge. Just my opinion and I could be wrong.
John

I also ONLY use TI stark (heavies) and they are GREAT!

[muzicmaken]

Thanks for all the help and advice everyone. I have ordered a few packs of the j75's as suggested. Hopefully this will help with the low end and if it doesn't I will go the ebony bridge route..

I was however pleased and encouraged somewhat when I used it to record tonight so I hope the strings will help...

Where can I find the Steven Smith Ebony bridge that was suggested? I did a search but came up with nothing. Or if there are other bridges anyone would recommed as well would be greatly appreciated.

ken

[nkellstadt]

Here you go: http://cumberlandacoustic.com/_wsn/page2.html

[muzicmaken]

I have read that the Weber bridge made by Brekke is outstanding as well..Anyone have any expierince with this bridge?

thanks for you help