Upgrades for tone

[Doug Edwards]

I've done a few posts with this already. #We took a stock Kentucky KM250S and added several upgrades to it for a raffle benefiting a local family. I posted one mp3 after I tweeked the bridge some.

Now I have it with a pearl nut, Cumberland Acoustic bridge, and Allen cast tail piece. The mandolin has a louder more refined tone with more sustain.

Last Friday at our monthly show, Bobby Brite used it in a couple of songs during his band's set (Clear River).

Clear River mp3 (http://www.ntbbluegrass.com/media/clearriverkm2502.mp3)

The before and after mp3's are on our No Turning Back website on the raffle page. I'm using a Golden Gate pick on both mp3's and a tortoise on the second selction of the After mp3.

[Doug Edwards]

When I bought this mandolin for the raffle, it sounded like it has potential. It needed a new bridge bad as well as a good set up. It has turned out to be a decent mandolin.

[MandoSquirrel]

I was impressec a few weeks ago with your results, but in that newest clip it sounds like that thing's really opening up!
I may just have to buy a few tix, especially with all the goodies going with it!

[Doug Edwards]

It's coming along just fine. It's not a banjo killer, but at our show last Friday our banjo player was noodling around with it and I heard him playing it around the hall over 100' away. The mandolin mic'd good when Bobby was playing it. The mp3 was recorded straight off the board into my Fostex HD-MR8. He was impressed with the way it played and sounded. #Lot's to be said about a good setup and componants.

The holes did not line up perfectly for the tail piece so I filled and re-drilled them. The old stamped tail piece is available for anyone who needs one as well as the old pick guard. I had to trim the saddle a bit as the action was too high with no further adjustment (same problem with the old saddle among other issues).

I am quite impressed with the pearl nut. I bought another blank to try on my SA when things slow down in December.

BTW, Tony's sending a Tone-Gard to go with it. I didn't have it when I took the photo. We're greatful to all those on and associated with the Cafe that pitched in to help us put together a great package for the raffle. Our benefit is for the Mears Family of Joshua, Tx.
Mears Family (http://www.themearsfamily.net/)

[MandoSquirrel]

I saw on the page that Tony had donated the Tone-Gard, might be reason enough to buy a ticket right there! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Nice batch of loot shaping up for somebody.

[Nolan]

The chop sure sounds good...

[Loren Bailey]

Sounds great Doug, you've done a bang up job on her. Just PayPal'd you for my ticket!!

Loren

[Doug Edwards]

Thanks Loren, gotcha covered. Good Luck. We hope to raise a bunch a money with the benefit this weekend. You ought to drive down, should not be much over 13 hours. I can't drive to El Paso that quick.

I recieved the ToneGard fom Tony this week. It really put the punch to it.