View Full Version : Braggin' on my mid-mo
Chad Thorne
Apr-09-2007, 8:56am
Went to an open mic near me for the first time yesterday afternoon. I took my Mid-Mo M-1 along with a guitar.
As it happened I was able to just jam along a bit with some of the other players as they played, with my participation welcomed! which was nice.
Also got a lot of nice comments on the mando, especially from musicians who remarked not only on the nice tone, but that it cut through even a couple of guitars and an electric bass playing at once without a pickup! Made me feel good. That's all.
Cooter
Apr-09-2007, 9:35am
Similar thing happened to me the first time I brought my M-2 to our band practice. A couple band members noted that it sounded so much better than my old mando. Great mandos!
jim_n_virginia
Apr-09-2007, 2:53pm
I had a Mid-Mo that was the second mandolin I ever owned years ago. I finally traded it in and started the slow crawl up the mandolin food chart but I have to tell you of all the mandolins I have owned and sold over the years that Mid-Mo is one of two mandolins I regretted selling. I wish I had kept it as I didn't get that much for trade in on it anyways.
They may be a little plain looking and maybe not the traditional bluegrass instrument but they have one heck of a good tone and really cut through in a jam.
I now play a lot of Celtic and Old Time music and my old Mid-Mo would have been perfect for it.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
epicentre
Apr-09-2007, 5:55pm
Hey Jim -n-Virginia:
If you are looking for a good Celtic mandolin, get one of the IV kits and cut an oval hole instead of the f holes. I just finished mine a couple of weeks ago, and the tone is warm, yet it will bark out when you step on it. Great for ol'time and Celtic.
It's not as loud as my Trinity College, but it has a great mellow tone with a fast neck.
Gotta say I'm braggin about the kit. Really nice.
I've never played a Mid Mo, but the Big Muddy's are 100.00 US to ship to Canada. Just a tad high for me.
Epi http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
PCypert
Apr-09-2007, 8:17pm
MidMo's are amazing. I really wish they'd do a slightly more upscale version...an induced arch top, looks a bit more like a Sobell, etc. They really need mandolins you can move up into. The customer service and product is top notch. When players are ready to upgrade they are really missing out not having a product in line for folks as they've already won you over up to that point.
Paul
Chad Thorne
Apr-10-2007, 7:09am
MidMo's are amazing. #I really wish they'd do a slightly more upscale version...an induced arch top, looks a bit more like a Sobell, etc. #They really need mandolins you can move up into. #The customer service and product is top notch. #When players are ready to upgrade they are really missing out not having a product in line for folks as they've already won you over up to that point.
Paul
I do find myself wishing I had just a rosette for a little more niceness. But for an American-made (important to me) instrument at that price I guess I'll deal. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
PCypert
Apr-10-2007, 7:33am
Yeah, but there's some small stuff they could add to make it a mandolin people would want to move up to rather than looking out at Webers, Used Flatirons, Breedloves, Rigels, etc...They could easily add some refinement, even a lightly carved top and a bit more style and still stay profitable...I really wish they'd do more to build on their great service and product.
Paul
JEStanek
Apr-10-2007, 7:34am
Whoa guys, Mid Mo / Big Muddy does what they do exceptionally well. #They offer to dress up their mandos with wood burned designs for a fee options page (http://www.midmomandolin.com/products_options.php) by Paula Giltner. #I don't know if they still offer that on the new Big Muddy. #I've thought about some nice book of Kells knotwork around the soundhole on one a bunch.
I'm not sure if expanding their product line is the greatest idea. #Part of Rigels problem was they made very expensive models that didn't sell well. #Their prices are creeping into the small shop built flat topped instrument range as it is (see Moon, etc.). #Remember their guiding principle, "No Plywood, No frills." #
Jamie
PCypert
Apr-10-2007, 11:44am
I'm not saying make 5K instruments (like Rigel)...but a guy gets hooked on a solid Mid Mo...maybe has one problem...sends it in...gets treated great...gets the mando back with four extra bridges of differing heights. But sadly that guy is also a member here and sees all the purdy mandolins and MAS starts creeping in. The MidMo has served him well, but he's hankering for a bit more. That's where things would differ for MidMo...they get them a lot earlier on....so an upgrade would actually still be around the price of most companies entry level. That way they have their hands in both "beginner" segments. Maybe not make something fancy, but could still make something like a Breedlove or Rigel Natural...still no frills and no plywood.
I know I'm barking up the wrong tree and they have no plans (as far as I know) of expanding...heck I've tried talking to them...but I can dream. I love their attitude, service, product....I'd just like them to offer a bit more. I'd love them to make a simple carved top oval hole that's slightly hinting at a Sobell influence as far as subtle elegance goes....Dream upgrade for me. They could be the Collings MT of oval holes (whatever happened to the Collings Oval model by the way...I had direct confirmation from several Collings folks two years ago they had a prototype and I haven't heard #### about it again).
Paul
otterly2k
Apr-10-2007, 11:57am
Paul, I get what you're saying. #But I also think that there is something to doing one thing really well. #Mid-Mo/Big Muddy instruments have stellar reputation for quality, playability, tone, value and service. #It ain't broke. #why fix it?
I agree with you that there's a dearth of simple good quality carved top ovals on the low end of the spectrum. #But it is a different process to make flattops vs carved, and I would guess that this is a big part of it Dulak's sticking with the flat models. #
DK re: the Collings oval idea... I'm sure they'd make a really good one. #OTOH, at the price points they occupy (even their less expensive ones) there are many small-shop luthiers that make very fine ovals.
Michael H Geimer
Apr-10-2007, 12:01pm
No frills. No plywood.
JEStanek
Apr-10-2007, 12:11pm
Work with Sobel, who builds arch tops, to build your dream oval hole mando. Many of the small shop builders have stated they can build a simple low trim level A model for well under their F model prices but their market doesn't demand it (see some other recent discussions in the Builder section). You may be suprized who affordable a (for example) Brentrupp, Hamlett, Brian Dean, Baird, Ludewig, et.al. plain jane A-oval can be. You just need to interview them.
Jamie
Clyde Clevenger
Apr-10-2007, 12:24pm
I have a Kid Mo. MM-4. S/N 0001 4 Strings, no plywood, no frills, and it sounds amazing, great fun to play. I bought it for my Grandaughter, she will just have to wait.
8ch(pl)
Apr-11-2007, 6:54am
I get good comments on the sound of my M-4. I have done some upgrades on it but have no intention at this time to upgrade the instrument.
Steve L
Apr-11-2007, 8:33am
They found a niche and do a great job filling it. There are plenty of places to get customized appointments on a flat top or a different kind of mandolin.
Yuletide
Apr-11-2007, 2:39pm
They found a niche and do a great job filling it. #There are plenty of places to get customized appointments on a flat top or a different kind of mandolin.
I have to agree with this. I have a Mid-Mo M-16 mandola that's my favorite instrument. Yes, it looks plain, it's a simple design, but it sounds great, is a joy to play, and at a price that can't be beat. There are plenty of other makers around for folks who want to "step up". Way too many small businesses fail as a result of trying to expand beyond a niche at which they've been successful. Mike's got enough business issues as it is without taking that on.
Cooter
Apr-12-2007, 8:53am
I wish more manufacturers were like Mid Mo. I prefer spending my $$ on good quality woods and manufacturing. I don't need the fancy-pants inlays and decorations. IMHO simple is better.
Way too many small businesses fail as a result of trying to expand beyond a niche at which they've been successful. Mike's got enough business issues as it is without taking that on.
Yup or as they say around here If it aint broke don't fix it.
GVD