Newbie with a question...

[DrewM]

Hi...I came over here from the Acoustic Guitar forum. I've played guitar for a few years, and have dipped my toe into the Mandolin waters. I have temporary custody of a Gibson F-9, but I have found that it doesn't suit me in several ways. It's a fine instrument, just not for me.

I played an MK (Legacy O) at McCabes yesterday, and rather liked the feel (radiused fingerboard and bigger frets compared to the F-9 were a plus for me) and sound of it over just about everything that was in the store. But for a variety of reasons, I would really prefer a US maker, possibly a Weber (Bitterroot or similar).

Problem is, no one around me is stocking more than a Y2K3 or the odd octave mandolin or mandola. I'd like to get advice from this group as to how I could try a Weber out before actually ordering one (without driving 200+ miles).

Thanks in advance...

[pathfinder]

You might be asking for a bit too much. #Invest in the gas money. #It's worth your while.

[sunburst]

As a mandolin builder I've observed that there is a part of the mandolin market that is made up of guitar players that have learned to play mandolin.
Larger frets, radiused boards and wider boards seem to appeal to this market, and some manufacturers and builders are building more or less for this market.

One is Rigel. You might consider trying some of them.

No financial interest etc.etc. Actually, as a builder I'm shooting myself in the foot recomending something else http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif .


In defence of dealers:
A dealer has to stock what he or she can sell. The smaller the local population the harder it is to stock high end instruments and not loose money. Only a few stores are able to stock multiple high end lines and make money. After all, they make money by selling their products, not by being a great place to hang out, play a bunch of nice instruments and take up time. It's frustrating for the customer, but it's the way the business is.

[Bowzette]

both Rigel and Breedlove have wide spacing at the nut(3&3/16) radius board and gumbo frets. Breedlove is spaced a bit wider at the bridge and the Rigel has more radius. Both are made in low end models with a matt finish that are excellent buys or more expensive models. You can get an idea by looking at Elderly.com and folkofthewood.com as to models and cost. I know Elderly will give you a trial period in which to send an instrument back-I think it is 48 hours. If economically feasible, you could order one of each and send the one you like least back (or both as the case may be). you will be out the cost of shipping both ways for an instrument you didn't buy, but gas is expensive also. If MAS sets in you will buy other mandolins later anyway, but I think you will be happy to start with either of these mandolins.

[DrewM]

Thanks alll...

Mike...I'm ok with the normal spacing, I just found the radiused fretboard more to my liking for some reason. Thanks for the suggestions as well...having played the lower end Breedlove (and Gibson and Weber), I have decided that I will probably go at least a notch or two above the lower end offerings.

I have learned with guitars that it always works out better for me in the long run to get the one that I like best even if it means stretching the budget a few bucks.

[pathfinder]

If you're strectching the budget 'a few bucks', then you haven't really done a budget. You're not ordering pizza here, pal.

[Bowzette]

I have played a new Collings MF which has the matted finish $3850 is was excellent as to sound, tone, volume, playability and workmanship. The "A" style MT at $1750 should be just as good. There are great reports on the new Collings in the mandolin threads below.

[solerydr]

2 years ago I moved from gtr to mando. Breedloves, Rigels and Webers do have a similar feel. I fell in love with a Rigel though because of the tone. I also have a 75yr old Lyra and the Rigel actually sounds very similar. Its a matter of personal taste but if I were you Id play all 3.

[WireBoy]

Hello DrewM,
#Glad to see a fellow Glendalian here on the café. I feel your pain about the test driving 'pool's' shallow depth here in the LA area. #I just came back from a weekend trip to San Diego. #While there i stopped in at Acoustic Expressions. #

From poking around here on the cafe, i knew they had a good a selection of weber, #and indeed they do. #Up on the wall the had a bridger, bitterroot, (2)absoroka, beartooth, and gallatin and octave mando. #my favorite was the bridger (D hole) - a very sweet delicate sound- perfect for celtic. #there were about 6 MK mando there too.

for more weber product in LA, try the weber www site dealer page, McCabes is listed as is a place in long beach call for stock on hand.

and i too being a guitar player prefer the radius and wider fingerboards.

I hear Moon Beam makes great mandos in that price range. Just the buzz.....:p

[DrewM]

Hi Eric...are you a Glendalian from Hawaii (your sig)? # I also fall into that category...left in '84 but return frequently.

I went to McCabes, and all they had in the Weber family was the Y2K3 and a mandola...same with the place at Long Beach. # The only one at McCabes that did anything at all for me (that didn't cost $8,000) was an MK Legacy. #Liked the radiused neck and it had a very nice ring to it...didn't like the workmanship as much.

I've also had some good e-mail communication with Greg Boyd over the last few days...I'll probably give him a call as well...

[WireBoy]

Drew,
#I'm not from Hawaii but my dad grew up there in the 30's- 40's. I just needed something snappy for a signature quote. (plus I've also fallen under the spell of the ukulele!)

That weber y2k3 has been hanging on Mccabes wall for a while...the mandola is new however. #if you can stand a day trip to San diego, this is what awaits you at Acoustic expressions
http://www.acoustic-expressions.com/instruments.htm
- a wall of Michael Kellys and Webers. #with one or two changes, that's exactly what i saw this past saturday. #its perfect for your test drive scenario. #and they were very friendly there. #They let me pick to my hearts content.

on your way down to SD, check out Buffalo Brothers in Carlsbad. #i didn't stop in, but check out this pic of their 'small' selection of mandos
http://www.buffalobrosguitars.com/mandopix.htm

Greg boyd is a good call to make. #he gets good reports on service here.

I also like the Breedlove and Rigel for the radius neck and larger frets and wider fingerboards. #many mando wielding gutarists prefer them as they are very comfortable and are of good quality.

[Jim M.]

Buffalo Brothers definitely has the biggest stock of mandos in Southern California and is much closer than 200 miles. I have always had good dealings with them too. The other option is go to jams; most mando players I pick with are quite happy to let others try out their mandos (and I've been at jams with Loars, Gilchrists, and Monteleones).