Mix f-5 mandolin

[jim_n_virginia]

Anybody out there own a Mix carbon fiber mandolin and they have decided to keep it as a player? I know that many probably will buy to just check it out, you know the old "catch and release" method.

But I'd really like to hear opinions from the owners that have tried it and decided to keep it.

Thanks!

[jim_n_virginia]

no one? I've seen several for sale in the classifieds ... someone had have bought them... no opinions? no keepers?

I am seriously thinking about pulling the trigger and trying one out. The only thing that scares me is if I don't like it how hard will it be to sell or will I get my money back.

Sure wish there was one close by I could play. The problem I have is I have never even heard one so I have no idea of what they sound like at all.

hmmmmmm

[MNDOLNR]

check out the Mix website...he has video clips.

[sgarrity]

Aahhh....c'mon Jim. Just get one. I wanna try one too and it'll be cheaper if you buy it! LOL

[jim_n_virginia]

check out the Mix website...he has video clips.
I checked them out and I just don't think it gives you an accurate description of the sound. I mean it gives you an idea but it depends on the recording device, the mic used (or the internal pickup), the speakers or sound system you listen to the clip with.

I never understood how someone could listen to a mandolin over the phone to get an idea of what it sound like. I mean usually the potential buyer just gets impressed by the sellers playing ability (assuming he is good).

And don't worry Shaun if I get it you'll be the first at the jam to test drive it. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[mandroid]

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif when they can ship in one of those CF Peg cases, then the magic combo has been struck!

Mois? would have to part with a few others for even the A5.

[dirty harry]

The Carbon fiber idea is pretty cool. Hats off to Peter! I guess you have to take the non aging and tone will never change sound approach on this, because the Mandolin should never change in tone. Unlike what morph wood goes through..

[TonyP]

I would say, by my own experience Harry, the Mix's tone and volume does change. I played an Mix A5 model at the esteemed Ken Cartwrights store. At first it was kinda thin and tight, but played nice, and the proprietor wasn't givin' me the evil eye http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif So after about 20 min. of doing different types of tunes I thought I noticed a difference. It was Ken who noticed it the most because he had been helping customers and shop stuff and had heard when I first sat down. When he came back he confirmed my observation. While no scientist, I could see how something that is flexible, when not flexed for a while, would kinda "setup" and be stiff at first. For all I know it could have been my body heat, dunno. And I don't know how long that change lasted, or if it would keep on changing.

I've not gotten a chance to even see a Mix F-5 in person, but I'd like to try it out.

[foldedpath]

I would say, by my own experience Harry, the Mix's tone and volume does change. I played an Mix A5 model at the esteemed Ken Cartwrights store. At first it was kinda thin and tight, but played nice, and the proprietor wasn't givin' me the evil eye http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif So after about 20 min. of doing different types of tunes I thought I noticed a difference. It was Ken who noticed it the most because he had been helping customers and shop stuff and had heard when I first sat down. When he came back he confirmed my observation.

Okay, can't help putting on the skeptic hat here. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Every time I've picked up someone else's instrument, whether in a jam situation or in a store, I've always had to struggle with it for a few minutes because it's just not what I'm used to, with my own instruments that I've played for years. It takes a little while for a different instrument to teach me how it wants to be played, to fit what I want to hear in my ears, or to find what the instrument is best at, even if it isn't exactly my personal cup of tea.

So I would always assume that after 30 minutes of playing, it was me "breaking in" and adjusting my playing to fit the instrument, and not a physical change in the instrument itself. I have a similar skepticism about long-term break in... whether it's the player or the instrument doing the actual changing. But I know that's not a popular argument here. For the case of playing an instrument for less than 30 minutes though, I think it might be a stronger case.

[TeleMark]

That's my take on much of what the "break-in" period is for many mandolins. Why it takes a while after an instrument has been in the case before it sounds "right" again. Each instrument is different, so it takes some minute (and unconscious) adjustments to get good sound.

[TonyP]

I am personally skeptical of a lot of things, but that is tempered by experience. While I don't dispute the "break in", short adjustment period, my own mando that I've had for decades has to wake up. This depends mostly on it's state of hydration. If it's not been played for a couple of days, I'll wet the dampit, and leave it in the case till the next day. When I pick it up, it's pretty much ready to go. If I don't, it sounds tight and thin for a good half an hour, and depending on it's residual state of hydration will continue to grow in tone and volume.
To take a purely mechanical view of instruments is odd to me. I was a mechanic for over 25yrs and in that time worked in different shops. I worked in a dealership prep'ing new cars. They all felt the same. But when I worked as a line mechanic, I was always surprised how that same line of cars in few short miles didn't feel or act the same. For instance, I could tell if they were the start up in the morning and put the pedal to the metal folks, or if they were the start and let it warm up kind just by how they ran when you pulled them in. And this wasn't just carb'ed models, this was computer fuel injection too. How they handled, how the pedals felt, how they ran etc. were all effected within 10kmi.. Same with heavy machinery.
Point being, the Mix is not plastic, or stone, it's something else. I don't think it's possible for people to interact with anything without it effecting it. My experience says, a mando that is at rest wants to stay at rest, and there is a transition period to full operation, by the player and the instrument. And since this is all subjective, your views are just as valid. I just felt compelled to make my point a little more focused and will leave it at that.

[Perry]

Ok I'll bite again, (there lots of threads on this) I have a MIX A5 and yes I have decided to keep it as a "player".
Played it at a little jam session last night.

It's got a tone of it's own; crisp high ends, it barks. But it's a definite tone of it's own. Has a chunky neck feel that I've grown to really like. The mando does not compress when you play it loud. I really appreciate the fact that I don't have to treat it with kid gloves like I do some of my other mandos. I can leave it in the car all day and don't care.

As far as volume; it's louder then some higer end mandos I've had and not as loud as others.

The MIX is the mando I leave around for everyday jamming use. It's the one that I bring to casual jams. It's the one I bring when I must plug-in or might have to plug in.

I veiw the MIX as a nice complement to my collection.

I've got a nice F; a nice oval and the Mix.

[crncob]

I agree that in playing an instrument that a lot of adjustment takes place to get the sound the player wants. last night I warmed up on my mandolin,then picked up a classic nylon string guitar to laydown a backing track. Well I never had a string buzz problem before with that guitar. I had to adjust me to get rid of the buzz.