Can you help me choose a mandolin?

[Bryan T]

I'm an accomplished guitar player (that's how I make my living) and am really getting into the mandolin. I'm having a lot of fun playing Bach, celtic music, and writing my own tunes. I own a Korean Fender A style, but the more I play it the less I like it. Tonally, it is pretty loud, but harsh - it leaves my ears ringing after practicing, which is not good. It drives my wife nuts.

In my next mandolin I want to have a full low end and a sweet high end. I'll probably want a bit wider nut width than the Fender, though I can certainly get around just fine on the Fender. I don't really have a budget in mind, but would like to try instruments in the $1K range and in the $2K range. From reading the forum I'm curious if a round-hole model might suit me better, but I'm not sure. Most of the mandolins I've seen in local shops have f-holes.

Any suggestions for mandolins to seek out?

Thanks,
Bryan

[bienkow1]

In that range, I would look at the Breedlove line. I own a Quartz FF and I am blown away at the quality of their instruments, let alone for the price. They do also offer an oval hole A model, which I haven't played. But for under 1500, you can get a unique, American made quality mando that will hold it's own. just my 2 cents.

[Greg H.]

It sounds to me like an old Gibson A model would be a perfect fit for you (well either that or a newer oval hole A model made by one of the many fine luthiers found posting here). That would have much more the tone you're looking for (and in general would fit very nicely in your price range).

[atetone]

I also think that an oval hole might be more what you are looking for.
Like Greg H. said, an old teens Gibson could be a good bet.
I am also a Breedlove fan but I had one of their oval hole mandos once and I didn't really like the tone as compared to some other oval hole makes. Might just have been that particular one though.
For $2000 or less you could get a used Old Wave oval hole or a choice of quite a few other small shop builders used mandolins.
Nothing wrong with buying used mandos as long as you do your due diligence.
Maybe you should look around to find an oval hole to try, just to see if it is more of the sound that you are looking for. If it is then you can start looking around for the right one to buy.

[Lou Scuderi]

Well, sir, I myself play Bach, celtic music, and original composition (though not in that order), and I've found that my Old Wave A5 (f holes) is more than up to the task. Check out Bussmann's work, it's pretty great.

By the way, there's a recent thread here (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=15;t=51863) on the message boards that shows some old waves. Check it out!

[Bryan T]

Thanks for all the input. At the moment, my short list has Eastman, Breedlove, and Collings mandolins on it. It is very important to me that I'm able to try the mandolin before I buy it and these are brands that have come up during my searching that have local presence. If you have any other suggestions, I'm all ears.

One other spec that I think I want is a radiused fingerboard.

Thanks,
Bryan

[Paul Kotapish]

Bryan,

There are many mandolins out there that would fit your criteria, and I think you would be wiser to avoid any preconceptions about builders--or even what kind of body shape and sound hole(s) would be best--until you've tried out a bunch. It could be that a vintage Gibson A or a new Breedlove would do the job, but you might discover that a used Flatiron with f holes feels more comfortable and responds better to you touch. I recently helped a friend pick out a mandolin, and we ended up with an exceptional Eastman A style with f holes. I hadn't been that impressed with other Eastmans I'd tried, but this one was a canon with great, even tone all over the fingerboard.

Where are you located? Perhaps the crew here could point you to some likely sources for side-by-side comparisons.

[Bryan T]

Where are you located?
I'm in Santa Monica, CA.

Bryan

[ilovemyF9]

I have a Weber Y2K which has a wide(ish) neck and it is loud and lots of fun to play. I play Celtic with some Irish Musos and it is able to cut through when necessary. I got mine new 2 ½ years ago for $650 via eBay. It cost more money now but I am fairly sure it is less than a Grand.

Good Luck!

[Chris Biorkman]

I'm in Santa Monica, CA.

Bryan
I would make a trip down to Buffalo Brothers in Carlsbad just north of San Diego. They have a decent selection of new and used instruments (although not sure about the oval holes).

I live in Ventura county and BB is the only place I know of that carries any decent mandolins in southern California, but there could be others that I don't know about.

[Paul Kotapish]

Bryan,

I'm sure you've already checked into McCabe's, but that's in the neighborhood. As biorkman noted, Buffalo Brothers is probably your best bet. If you find your way up in the Bay Area, Gryphon in Palo Alto, the 5th String in Berkeley, and the Thin Man in Alameda all have some decent mid-range instruments available.

[Rick Schmidlin]

You can go to McCabes where they will have some Collings,Breedllove,Weber and Gibsons. If you are in Santa Monica and play guitar you know where it is. This is the place in your locatiopn to start. Westwood Music also has some Collings.

[MLT]

Bryan,
I have two Breedloves, and they do have radiused fretboards. I really don't think that you can go wrong with one of them or the others that have been recommended. My OO has a very sweet and mellow tone (even more so now that I put on a set of Thomastik Mediums) and still plenty of volume.

I also must agree with everyone, you really need to let your ears and fingers lead you in your decision.

Best of Luck!

[niaflsbob]

YOU HAVEN'T MENTIONED WHAT TYPE OF MUSSIC YOU PLAY. VERY IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION. LISTEN TO ALOT A ARTISTS, GET AN IDEA OF THE TONE YOU LIKE AND THEN GO MANDO TASTING. EXAMPLE, MONROE'S SOUND VERY DIFFERENT THAN THILE. BUT BOTH VERY GGOD IN THEIR OWN WAY. PLAY AS MANY BRANDS AND MODELS AS YOU CAN. BE PATIENT AND YOU WILL START TO SEE THE TONAL DIFFERENCES. YOU MENTIONED EASTMAN AND MY EXPERIENCE WAS THAT THEY VARY GREATLY IN TONE. DON'T LET THE COSMETICS FOOL YOU. THE BEST ONE I PLAYED SOUNDWISE WAS IN THE MIDDLE PRICE RANGE. BUT IN THE 2K RANGE I WOULD LOOK FOR A TOP QUALITY A MODEL. THERE ARE PLENTY OUT THERE NEW AND USED. SLIGHTLY HIGHER, I JUST BOUGHT A RATLIFF R5 AT $2800 AND REALLY LOVE IT. NOT JUST ME, BUT EVERYONE WHO HEARS IT / PLAYS IT SAYS THE SAME THING..ONE GREAT MANDO AT A REAL FAIR PRICE. MEANWHILE, ENJOY THE HUNT AND GOOD LUCK.

[Dave Harbst]

I have several mandolins, including an an old Gibson A, and Old Wave oval hole, which is really great and has been a favorite of mine for a long time, but I recently purchased a Collings MT with the wide nut(1-3/16). It was used and came with a set of Thomastik-Infield light strings, which needed replaced. I replaced them with a set of D'Addario J-74's, which made the mandolin louder, but I really missed that sweet and mellow tone of the Thomastiks, so I bought another set of Thomastiks, except that they are the heavy gauge instead of the lights that came with the instrument. I love the sound of it even more now--very mellow, yet good and loud. Anyway, in your search, don't be too impulsive. Do your best to sample as may mandolins as you can until the right one comes along. Best of luck to you.

[cooper4205]

look for an old snakehead Gibson A-Jr. like this (http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/494/pdr10091ci0.jpg)

[PatrickH]

Definitely play a couple of Collings MT mandolins and see if you like them. I find them to be and outstanding value and they are in your price range. See if you like the sound and feel.

[Celtic Saguaro]

Bryan, since you are a pro on the guitar your search for a much better mandolin right away, certainly makes sense. #But your statement that the Fender sounds harsh, set off some bells. #Mandolins tend to sound really bad if you use the wrong pick, say, the same medium or light one you'd use on your guitar/s. Try a heavy pick and that new, much better mando you are looking for will be less likely to be a disappointment and less likely to jangle your wife's nerves!

[Bryan T]

Definitely play a couple of Collings MT mandolins and see if you like them. I find them to be and outstanding value and they are in your price range. See if you like the sound and feel.
I spent about an hour playing a Collings MF today and fell in love with it. Very easy to play (larger frets, a radiused fingerboard, and a good setup can do wonders). It is out of my price range, so I'm having the dealer look into custom ordering an MT for me - wider nut, less of a V on the neck, gloss top, etc.

I've also tried Gibsons, Breedloves, Kentuckys, Eastmans, a Mix and some others. The Collings really fit me well.

Bryan

[Bryan T]

But your statement that the Fender sounds harsh, set off some bells. Mandolins tend to sound really bad if you use the wrong pick, say, the same medium or light one you'd use on your guitar/s.
I appreciate your comment. I've tried a number of different picks (Wegen, Dugain, Dunlop, Fender, Gibson, etc.) in lots of different shapes and thicknesses. I also have silk and steel strings on the Fender now, which helped a bit, but the high end is still really fatiguing on the plain strings. In short, the Fender just isn't a good instrument.

Bryan

[Rick Schmidlin]

Definitely play a couple of Collings MT mandolins and see if you like them. I find them to be and outstanding value and they are in your price range. See if you like the sound and feel.
I spent about an hour playing a Collings MF today and fell in love with it. #Very easy to play (larger frets, a radiused fingerboard, and a good setup can do wonders). #It is out of my price range, so I'm having the dealer look into custom ordering an MT for me - wider nut, less of a V on the neck, gloss top, etc. #

I've also tried Gibsons, Breedloves, Kentuckys, Eastmans, a Mix and some others. #The Collings really fit me well.

Bryan
The MT is is a wonderfull choice, what shop did you go to? In fact if I bought a another Collings I think it would be the MT.

[Bryan T]

The MT is is a wonderfull choice, what shop did you go to? In fact if I bought a another Collings I think it would be the MT.
This was at Westwood Music. I tried a bunch of mandolins at McCabe's earlier this week, but nothing spoke to me like this Collings at Westwood - in fairness, I didn't try the Collings at McCabes, just the $1500 and under mandolins.

In full disclosure, I used to work at Westwood teaching guitar lessons and selling instruments. I wish I had been into mandolins at the time! I'm truly spoiled having two top notch shops so close to where I live. Buffalo Brothers is great, too.

Bryan

[ash89]

can't go wrong with a keith newell instrument.

his a5 is a very sweet all rounder.

i was originally looking for an oval, but with his help we chose one that covers more bases...

[PatrickH]

I spent about an hour playing a Collings MF today and fell in love with it.

Like yourself, I am a guitar player and was one for many years before picking up the mandolin. My Collings MF was my first serious mandolin (after a few starter ones) and I still have it and would never sell it.

I have bought and sold 1/2 dozen other terrific professional mandolins since then (some more expensive than the MF and some less) and still have my MF. Every time I play it I find it to be a joy of both sound and feel. The MT is a similar instrument in many ways and is a very good way to go in a smaller budget. It is definitely a professional level instrument. You won't be sorry.

I'm gonna warn you - playing the mandolin is very addictive when you get your first serious instrument. Forewarn your guitars that they might get lonely for a while.

[JeffD]

At least try a vintage A style, and see if you like the sound.

[macgiobuin]

Don't know what you decided on, but I'm VERY pleased with my Eastman 504A. The more expensive Eastmans are probably even better.

[Denny Gies]

I will weigh in on the side of an older Gibson, something from the teens or twenties. They sound great for classical and celtic music, are easy to play and well made.

[Brad Weiss]

Where are you located?
I'm in Santa Monica, CA.

Bryan
Call over to McCabe's and ask them to let you know when a Gibson A comes into stock- they carry them with some regularity. #They have lot's of Breedloves and Collings, as you saw. #If you can find a Vega Cylinderback for 2k jump on it (Unless I find it first!)

[Rick Schmidlin]

The MT is is a wonderfull choice, what shop did you go to? In fact if I bought a another Collings I think it would be the MT.
This was at Westwood Music. #I tried a bunch of mandolins at McCabe's earlier this week, but nothing spoke to me like this Collings at Westwood - in fairness, I didn't try the Collings at McCabes, just the $1500 and under mandolins. #

In full disclosure, I used to work at Westwood teaching guitar lessons and selling instruments. #I wish I had been into mandolins at the time! #I'm truly spoiled having two top notch shops so close to where I live. #Buffalo Brothers is great, too.

Bryan
Fred is great at Westwood Music. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Don]

I'd recommend having Bill Bussman build you an oval or F hole Old Wave mandolin.
Don.

[Bryan T]

Just a follow-up post:

I ordered my mandolin today. I opted for a Collings MT. Options include a gloss top, wider nut, ivoroid binding, and less of a V shape on the neck.

I tried a number of mandolins (Collings, Gibson, Breedlove, Kentucky, Eastman, and some others that I'm forgetting) and the Collings fit me best in terms of price/performance.

Bryan

[Ctone]

Congratulations! I got my MT a month ago, and it is awesome! How long is the wait on it, since it is a special order?

[Bryan T]

Congratulations! I got my MT a month ago, and it is awesome! How long is the wait on it, since it is a special order?
Thanks! I'm pretty excited. I'm not sure what the wait time is, though I've been told that the mandolins usually take around 2-3 months. Much quicker than the guitars.

Bryan

[Ctone]

2 to 3 months isn't bad. By guitars do you mean Collings guitars? If so, How long do they take? I have actually thought about special ordering one and eventually selling the one that I got used to pay for it. Not really a good enough reason yet though. Maybe gloss top with finger rest? There isn't really anything I don't like though. It plays super easy with j74s and sounds amazing. It's getting louder and bigger sounding all the time. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Rick Schmidlin]

For a good deal on Collings check Greg Boyds sight. When I lived in La La Land I had mine shipped by him.

[lespaul_79]

Love my MT.