View Full Version : One, and one only
This autumn I have learned somerthing about myself. I'm a one mandolin kind of a guy.
I used to own a Collings MT, wonderful in so many ways, but then I was struck by MAS and signed up for a Pomeroy F5. My first intention was to keep them both, but the Collings seldom came out of its case when the Pomeroy arrived. I felt bad everytime I saw it there, just standing in the corner. Finally I realized that I had to sell it... It's a too great mandolin to live it's life in a case, it belongs in someones arms. Now it's gone and now I'm in peace. I have ONE great and versatile and beautiful mandolin, and that's enough to me.
Has anyone else ever felt the same... Or am I the only one in this forum who doesn't want a whole wall packed with mandolins?
Tom Sanderson
Dec-19-2006, 4:37am
I have struggled with the same feelings, but I now own 2 mandolins and I #am finally at peace with it. I play my Nugget F5 all the time at home and with close friends etc., and I don't even think about the other one. It sits in it's case , in a closet until I go to an outside jam or a festival etc. I look at it as part of an insurance policy for my Nugget. My 2nd mando is a Collings/Nugget Tim O'Brien model which also plays and sounds great. When I'm playing it, I still prefer the Nugget, but I feel good knowing that it is safe at home, waiting for me. #
Tom
8ch(pl)
Dec-19-2006, 5:56am
I have 2, I practice mostly on the Beater, but yesterday I lent it to a friend who wants to learn. She is a very talented guitarist. Probably the best way is to keep one at work, or to use one for practice and one for performing. What do you do when you haaaave to leave your one and only in a shop for repair or setup for a period of time?
I see your point - but from my point of view, when I'm without a mandolin for some reason I get a chance to improve my fiddling or guitar skills. I'm a hardcore multi-instrumentalist (and that's why I'll never become a virituoso on any of the instruments). Of course I would miss my mandolin if it was gone for a while, but it's no disaster.
Eugene
Dec-19-2006, 6:39am
Has anyone else ever felt the same... Or am I the only one in this forum who doesn't want a whole wall packed with mandolins?
That's not me, but mine tend to be pretty diverse. I like a fuinctional piece of each type, not a sizeable stable of Gibson emulators. I do have an old Gibson archtop, but then there are several modern Neapolitan types, the early Neapolitan type, the mandolino Bresciano, the gut-strung mandolino (a la Vivaldi), etc.
I'm the same way in that I won't keep an instrument that isn't being played. When I bought my new mando I kept the old one for a couple of months, thinking I'd keep it as a beater but couldn't bring myself to play a "lesser" instrument so I sold it.
Loren Bailey
Dec-19-2006, 6:57am
Oggy,
Your problem is you had two F-hole mandos. Sell the Collings and get yourself an oval hole. In some bizare way we mando addicts can balance our inner strife if we have diferent hole configurations.
Loren
Klaus Wutscher
Dec-19-2006, 7:19am
Has anyone else ever felt the same... Or am I the only one in this forum who doesn't want a whole wall packed with mandolins?
No, you are not alone - I have been owning a single mandolin (a great Kimble A5) for two years now and do not lust for another mandolin. I am gigging regularly and if something happens, I will have to come up with a solution. Doesn´t justify a second mandolin, imo. I had an Apitius F which did not get played and I sold it half a year ago. Did not regret or miss it. Whern it comes to mandolins, I am definitely monogamic (sp.?).
The only other mandolin I could see me getting would be a carbon instrument for live playing.
When I bought my new mando I kept the old one for a couple of months, thinking I'd keep it as a beater but couldn't bring myself to play a "lesser" instrument so I sold it.
You really nailed that! That's exactly how I felt. I have a little child, a one year old boy, so the time I have to spare isn't abundant... When I do get to play my precious mandolin I want to play the "best" mandolin possible.
Red Englemann
Dec-19-2006, 7:48am
Has anyone else ever felt the same... Or am I the only one in this forum who doesn't want a whole wall packed with mandolins?
I agree in one way that as a player we can only used one at a time. Saying this, I love being able to own musical instruments. Then again, it puzzles me as to why someone would own a musical instrument and then not take the time to learn how to play it... at least one or two peices.
red
Seth Austen
Dec-19-2006, 8:02am
I don't like to keep instruments that aren't getting played. I currently have 2, my Collings MT2V which is my main mandolin, and a 1924 Gibson A1 which I often play. There's also a mandola, octave/zouk and mandocello http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Seth
John Flynn
Dec-19-2006, 8:04am
It goes to show what I have always said, there are only two kinds of people in the world:
Those who put people in two categories and those that don't! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
I am the opposite of the original poster. Once I have really "bonded" with an instrument, even if I trade up, I can't bear to part with the old one. Almost every time I have parted with an instrument, I find myself wanting it back, even years later. I play all my instruments, though. None of them are "case queens." I have a "purpose" or "role" for every instrument, even if it's based on questionable distinctions that are only meaningful to me. I have a Rigel A+ for church, because I think it sounds better with the echo-y acoustics and because sometimes I have play plugged in. I have an Old Wave Oval A for old-time. I have Parsons flat-top as a beater for any kind of rough situations, including just walking around the house playing and sometimes just leaving it on a table or chair. I have a Mederios travel mando for travel with checked bags and for leaving in the car in case I get somewhere early and have some time to kill. I have a Risa Mando-Stick for travel with carry-on bags. You can never have too many mandos!
JEStanek
Dec-19-2006, 8:34am
I'll never want another wife, the one I have is perfect in everyway, even the annoying ones, but I can always have Mando-mistresses. I kinda like having different styles. Oval, ff, OM, want a flat top mando, want to modify an old archtop tenor for another om with 4 strings, want a mandobanjo, ukes... I'm like the talentless, poor Grisman!
They're so pretty and so much fun to hold and play.
Jamie
Tom Sanderson
Dec-19-2006, 8:45am
Also, high end and vintage instruments can be good financial investments.
Strange1
Dec-19-2006, 8:50am
MAS?........I can. Therefore, I do. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Jack
I agree that mandolins are things of beauty in themselves and I can see the appeal in wanting to possess any number of them. Also, I can understand someone having different mandolins for different purposes, whether different types of music, or different playing situations. But personally I'm more like the original poster in that I don't want to build up a collection, and I'd ideally like to have just one perfect mandolin.
At the moment I have two, but they are two very different mandolins - a 1 year old Garrison flat top, and a 104 year old De Meglio bowlback - and I play both regularly.
Fliss
I feel totally lucky to have a balistic bluegrass F style; a rotund round hole and a fantastic four string electric. The only other mando I need is a black top carbon fiber with a built in Schertler for must plug-in gigs
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
Bob Simmers
Dec-19-2006, 9:46am
I have a '91 Flatiron F5, a Weber Custom Gallitan, and a '74 Gibson F-12. I prefer to have 1 good mandolin (searching now) and a back-up. I can understand wanting more if you can afford it. I think it looks geat to have several good instruments posing in the living room.
Herschel had 4 Loars and a newer Gibson when I took my lesson last year. He said he plays them all every day.
Jack Roberts
Dec-19-2006, 10:48am
I am a late starter in music. It seemed like all my life I enjoyed listening to music, especially classical music, but despite lessons, I never "got" playing. ADD (or what my mother called laziness) kept me from practicing. But now, in my 50s, I enjoy playing, and I practice and play every chance I get. Why the change? In my case, more than one instrument helps. I have a beater I keep at work, two ovals and an F at home. They range in price from a few hundred up. But they all sound different and each has a different feel when it it played.
Still being easily distracted, when the ADD (laziness) kicks in, I grab a different instrument and switch from fiddle tunes (best on the A-1) to classical (best on the A-5) or to cross-picking or improvising (best on the MF). So I play all of them almost every day. I realize that I will never be a great musician, but I am "good enough".
From the time I was 15 I always had just one guitar. I never played it. Now that I have more than one mandolin, I play them all the time. I also play my guitar more. So for some people, more than one instrument works well.
Mandolins are expensive, but being able to enjoy any kind of music I want to play, either by myself or in a group, is well worth it.
mandopete
Dec-19-2006, 10:54am
Your problem is you had two F-hole mandos. #Sell the Collings and get yourself an oval hole. #I
I kinda agree with this line of thinking. #I bought a oval hole A-Style to balance things out and I feel like I've got it covered.
But for some odd reason I just can't seem to part with my old (1995) Flatiron F5-SB. #I sold another F-Style mandolin I had, but every time I think I've made up my mind to sell the Flaty I make the mistake of playing it and decide aw what the heck.
jasona
Dec-19-2006, 10:56am
I also only have one. I'm also coming to music late, so I'm having to learn the basic mechanics as well as the specifics of the mandolin. I find its easiest with only a single instrument to focus on, so the nuances of multiple instruments don't add an additional level of complexity. Plus, I can only play one. All that said, I do think an oval hole, perhaps a bowl, would be a nice addtional tonal palate.
Ken Sager
Dec-19-2006, 11:02am
I'm downsizing to one mandolin, as well. I'll keep my octave mandolin, too, but I'm selling an oval A and an A5. I'll just keep my F5. I've kept instruments for years and never played them until the one day they come out and surprise me with how great they are. I thought I'd give someone else a chance to enjoy them daily instead of just giving me a gentle surprise once in awhile.
The only thing that scares me is since I'm using the mandolin to make a living I might get stuck if something ever happens to it on the way somewhere. It's silly to think it couldn't be damaged or stolen minutes before I need it. Being stuck without a backup is taking a risk, otherwise I'm happy to own and play just one.
Love to all,
Ken
I have a brunette (Krishot F-5), a blond (Mid-Mo M-3), and a redhead (Gibson A-1) that I play about 50%-25%-25%. I like variety.
kyblue
Dec-19-2006, 11:30am
I only have one mandolin now. Can't imagine having 2 that I would like as well, so a second would be wasted on me.
But, I do have a mandola, and a tenor guitar. And, I want an electric mandolin, and electric tenor guitar, and even a Bart Reiter open back banjo!!! Who knows what else I might want tomorrow. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
I love having different things in the bag of tricks, and discovering new things...
Paula
swinginmandolins
Dec-19-2006, 11:34am
I recently traded the 2 mandolins I had for one. I miss having the variety of 2 mandolins to play. I'm now starting to save for a 2nd mandolin for times when I may have to have work done, and to have options and variety. Nothing wrong with just one but I have realized I liked the security of 2...maybe a justification to get another, but mandolins are just so cool!!
Rick Schmidlin
Dec-19-2006, 11:40am
I used to have many fine guitars and two great mando's.I am now down to one of each and neither are ever in there case long.
Jack Roberts
Dec-19-2006, 11:40am
I have a brunette (Krishot F-5), a blond (Mid-Mo M-3), and a redhead (Gibson A-1) that I play about 50%-25%-25%. I like variety.
That's it! blond (1918 A-1) brunette (Collings MF) and Redhead (1958 A-5--very red!) and I probably play 50/35/15.
mando Nick
Dec-19-2006, 11:44am
I have three mandolins: two older Gibson As, and a Kentucky 1500. One of the Gibsons I have loaned to a friend, and been teaching her for one year. I see that mandolin every other week, plus my student/friends. It's better having her play it, than just having it in the closet. My A2Z Gibson I play almost all the time; want some work done on my Kentucky 1500. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
OregonMike
Dec-19-2006, 11:51am
I just gave away my 70's Aria to a good friend last night as an early Christmas present - I could have kept it or sold it as it is a solid early non-laminated PacRim. But the moment he opened it I could tell it was a hit. Not sure who enjoyed it more - me or him.
In MAS Recovery,
Mike (Still pickin' a '24 Snake and a '16 Pumpkintop)
Jim M.
Dec-19-2006, 11:53am
Well, I have a lot fewer than I did. But I really want one oval-hole and one with f-holes. Do the OM and zouk count, or is that another category? And then there's the flat-top that I take camping and traveling. And there's an old bowlback and also an L&H for classical music. But that's all I will ever need. Really. # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Nolan
Dec-19-2006, 12:16pm
I'm not really into the ovel hole sound but I currently have a nice Collings A and a Gibson F with another varnished F on the way. # How I justify three nice F hole mandolins is I have three kids and they can all have one or if I decide to get a fourth we can each have one to jam on!
gnelson651
Dec-19-2006, 12:22pm
I started out late in the mandolin world, age 52 but like having different mandolins around. They are all inexpensive mandolins so I don't feel I am neglecting someone else the pleasure of playing one.
My main axe is an Eastman 805 which I practice and play all the time. I also have a MK Legacy Deluxe which mostly sits in its case in the closet. I seldom get it out because it just doesn't sound as good as the Eastman. I should sell it but I like having an F-style and don't think I could find a better F then for what I paid for the MK, a Musicians Friend $299 special.
I also have a custom make oval hole flat-top made by a former friend. He made it for me at cost to play in a mandolin ensemble I use to be in (I was fired by my "friend" hence former...long story). Since I am no longer with the ensemble, I rarely play it. But I did play it at our church Christmas program because it has a nice bell sound to it.
I also have a bowlback that I bought off eBay for $30, it plays but it mostly hangs on the wall in the music/TV room. I will play it once in a while for kicks. And lastly I still have my starter, a Morgan Monroe A that I plan to use as a beater.
mandroid
Dec-19-2006, 12:34pm
I only have 1 F5, the others are different, some of them Very different. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
sgarrity
Dec-19-2006, 4:50pm
I've had as many as 3 F5's at once and as many as 12 instruments at once. I'm now down to what you see in my signature line and couldn't be happier. The get played almost everyday.
Shaun
JimRichter
Dec-19-2006, 7:49pm
Currently I have only one mandolin--my Kimble A5. As much as I would like to have others, I'm more than willing to put all my eggs (or cash, as it is) into one basket, rather than have several cheaper (and possibly inferior) mandolins. And, I also play banjo, so I have a lot of cash tied up there as well.
Jim
Bill Van Liere
Dec-20-2006, 7:34am
Last night I got my 1917 A-1 out for the first time in a while. If nothing more the ole Paddlehead served to remind me just how nice tonewise the one year old BRW is coming along. I'm not trying to bash Paddleheads, I have heard some great ones, just not mine. It is good for me to have some comparison reference around the house.
I do have a few mandolins and at times I get bored with just one and enjoy having a variety of sounds available. One that also is not getting a lot of play these days is my old Flatiron X-braced F5. It was my main instrument for over ten years and I just can't part with it, but I'll get back to it. I really do not need to sell the Flatiron, so why should I?
mythicfish
Dec-20-2006, 8:29am
Since I perform as one half of duo, I bring more than one instrument to a performance in an effort to provide the audience
with a certain amount of variety. But if all my playing was done on my couch, I could easilly do with one mandolin.
That one would be my Ludewig A5. Thanks Dale.
Curt
mandopete
Dec-20-2006, 9:03am
How I justify three nice F hole mandolins is I have three kids and they can all have one or if I decide to get a fourth we can each have one to jam on!
Nolan - I like your thinking dude, I'm gonna have to try try that one on my wife!
JeffD
Dec-20-2006, 10:08am
I recently sold my Sobel Bouzouki, which I have had since the late 80s. I just wasn't playing it.
But thats OK, I still have five other mandolins.
Half the fun of MAS is the rationalization - here is mine. I have a 1927 Gibson A2 snakehead, and I cherish it, so I "need" another decent but less vintage mando to take out to jams and not worry about if I leave it in the car. Enter the Weber Aspen II. I love playing bowl back too, so I have a 1895 Washburn, but for the same reason I "need" a less vintage bowlback for camping... And of course the mandola is an entirely different instrument so.. enter the Flatiron.
So there you go, I am basically a one mandolin person too, but its one at a time.
Jeff
Eric F.
Dec-20-2006, 10:31am
I am basically a one mandolin person too, but its one at a time.
ROFLMAO! That sounds sooooooooooo familiar. And sensible, too, yes, very sensible.
Clyde Clevenger
Dec-20-2006, 11:17am
I find that I only need three mandolins, The Bush for performance and jams, The Givens for the couch and the Flatiron 1N for the shop and on the bus. Of course I have a few more, but only need those three.:)
OregonMike
Dec-20-2006, 1:14pm
So there you go, I am basically a one mandolin person too, but its one at a time.
I love this quote - reminds me of my buddy who likes to claim he is a "serial monogamist".
I wonder if it something peculiar to us mando players that we even consider feeling guilty about MAS - how many true enthusiasts have just one of anything?
I'd be embarassed to list how many pairs of ski's I've owned at the same time, carpentry tools, vintage cars, etc.
8ch(pl)
Dec-21-2006, 6:16am
Quote OGGY
I see your point - but from my point of view, when I'm without a mandolin for some reason I get a chance to improve my fiddling or guitar skills. I'm a hardcore multi-instrumentalist (and that's why I'll never become a virituoso on any of the instruments). Of course I would miss my mandolin if it was gone for a while, but it's no disaster.
I'm in a different boat there, I play mandolin primarily. I do have a Tenor banjo, but it gets limited use. I only play it in the easy keys. I would need to have a spare. Soon my Manolin-banjo (Christmas gift) will serve that purpose.