mid missouri mandolins

[reeljigs]

Hi there. I posted in the general discussion by mistakes, on questions involving the purchase of a new mandolin. So, if anyone has input on that,it would be great.

I also wanted to ask here: #When comparing a Kentucky with a Mid-Missouri, I noticed that the strings on the Missouri were spaced slightly further apart than on the Kentucky. Is that normal for oval hole vs. f hole mandolins? Is that a Missouri distinction? Is one easier to play than the other?
Does anyone have experience with the Mid Missouri line and the differences between the different model numbers??

thanks

[Bowzette]

reeljigs, i replyed in the "General Discussion" section. see Flatiron discussion below.

[Steve L]

You might not be getting a lot of response because the Mid-Missouri conversation has happened at length and a lot. You might do a search to dig up some old threads.

In summary, they are very well made hand crafted mandolins from a comapany with superlative customer service and one of the best values you could possibly find. Used ones are particularly great bang-for-the-buck.

They play great and are as loud as you could reasonably extect a flat top to be. They offer 2 different fingerboard widths...if you played one with a "W" after the model number, that's the wide one (everyone say "duh").

Different models for the most part are variances in the wood on the back and sides which affect the tonal characteristics. I have an M2 which is maple bodied and a little brighter than, say, Mahogany would be. Not better...just different.

I would recommend them very highly, but just be aware that they will never produce that authentic bluegrass tone that only an arched top f hole seems to make. I only play Irish/Scottish traditional and the Mid Mo is great for that.

[reeljigs]

Thanks Steve, that is very helpful. When you say that your mid mo suffices for your irish/scottish traditional music- does that include upbeat reels? The irish music I hope to play is more upbeat, rather than the melancholy celtic kind of stuff, so am hoping there is enough 'punch' and clarity in the mid mo to enjoy playing that kind of music.

[Hondo]

Reeljigs,

For what it's worth, my M-2 is louder than my Pac-Rim A-style with f holes, and has more than enough "punch" to play upbeat music. I'll probably upgrade in the next year or two (I've been lusting after an F2) but can't imagine that I'll get rid of the Mid-Mo.

[jim_n_virginia]

My first mando was a Pac-Rim that I played for about a year.

I then upgraded and got an M-2 Mid-Mo. When I strummed it for the very first time it literally blew my plwood mandolin away! It was very loud and had high sustain. Like someone already said, not quite right for Bluegrass but PERFECT for old time and Celtic music which I played a lot of.

I played that M-2 for over a year and upgraded to a Flatiron. I used the M-2 as a partial trade and now I regret it. I should have kept the M-2 and just saved a little more and got the Flatiron.

Mid-Mo's are not much to look at, kinda plain looking really but it had a very sweet sound and now I miss it. maybe one day I will get another. But right now I feel the urge to upgrade again! I need scroll! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[reeljigs]

As you can tell by my questions, I do not have much knowledge. But I was told recently that mid-mo's do not have truss rods and so are not worth getting. Is the truss rod thing an important consideration for a beginner?? In fact, he didn't seem to think they were that well made either, and that even a beginner would outgrow a mid-mo in less than a year. Is that so?? I thought they were supposed to be pretty good, and better than the machine made Asian brands. All very confusing...

[8ch(pl)]

Mid Missouri mandolins have a non-adjustable trussrod. Although I don't Know about the Kid-Mo and Mini-Mo models.

I have an M-4 and it is a lovely mandolin. I believe Mid Missouris to be the best value for the money.

[mandocrucian]

I have a left-handed strung M-1. #Nice little mando.

When facing the living room wall which has the TV, the big couch is on the left wall. So the Mid Mo comes in handy when I want to plunk and watch TV at the same time without the neck getting jammed up into the back of the sofa.

On a more serious note..... #If you have a lot of trouble getting doublestops in 3rds cleanly (without muffling the top note), you may probably benefit from getting a slightly wider fretboard than the one you are currently using. (You wouldn't buy size 9 shoes if you had size 11 feet would you?) If you have big thick fingers, the neck should be wider to accomodate that.

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Niles H

[MikeB]

Niles, I have a feeling that every word of your post is the exact truth, serious or not.

We have not even met, but through your posts here, a few emails, from using your published materials, and from some second hand comments, I am of the opinion that you are a genius; a slightly crazy, but generous genius, and I feel lucky that you hang around here. #I am still indebted to you for your help with my shoulder injury right after I bought my new Collings. #Your advice got me all straightened out.

So, off topic, I know, but thank you, Sir Niles, for lending us your genius. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[mandocrucian]

Off topic? #How so?

I actually do have a Mid-Mo which I bought a couple of years ago. And it's not a bad little mandolin. I didn't want to spend a whole lot for a lefty instrument, but I felt I needed one rather than playing(LH) a RH mando upside down. And I am working on playing left-handed. #It's invaluable for giving me a ground-level view of beginner trials and tribulations, which improves my teaching program for that level. (just in case anyone was thinking..."why would this guy be playing one?")

The last four months I've probably spent more time plunking on the Mid Mo than either of (RH) Gibsons. I find it quite relaxing, to tell the truth. Just trying to play tunes (the ear&gt;hand connection is already there - a carryover from the ear&gt;RH wiring), driven mostly by my mental ear, minus muscle memory/habits. #There are cross-training aspects (both mental and physical) which have improved my RH-ed playing, so there are extrta benefits.

I mention neck-width as a consideration when buying a new instrument. My right hand fingers are slighter thicker than that of the left, evidently not uncommon for the dominant hand. #While the Mid-Mo neck width is not an issue in playing certain doublestops (right-handed, fretting with the left), flipped over, I could use that extra 1/4" width do get those doublestops cleanly. The fact that I can make an A/B (or R/L) comparison makes the issue of "neck width/finger thickness" much more evident and in focus. I've come to the conclusion that some players' technical problems are actually a function of not have an ideally sized neck for their hand, and it is really not their fault - they have to do certain things to play around that problem, but those compensatory techniques can impose limitations.

I don't know about "genius", but I appreciate the the plug.

Niles H.

[bmac]

As a beginner I bought a Mid-Mo from a major NYC dealer. I wanted something which had a reputation for quality and sound and something the dealer was willing to stand behind. I was not knowledgable enough to decide for myself about quality in mandolins. Also I didn't want a heavy outlay of cash in case I decided I wasn't committed. I am glad I chose Mid-Mo because it has turned out well and it appears to command a good resale price should I decide to sell it at some point. In my opinion it is an excellent choice for a first mandolin and may be all you need for quite a while.

[Steve L]

I can certainly accept people not liking the Mid Mo for some reason, but I really think that anyone telling you that they are poorly made and a bad value either doesn't know what he's talking about or has an ulterior motive.

And yes, what I use it for is jigs, reels, strathspeys, slip jigs, etc. No New-Age Celtoid sonic goop for me! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[cutbait2]

i had a mid-mo M3 which i sold in the classified because i've made a pact with myself that i won't own more than two mando's and i had another coming. it was (is) a great little mando with a good sound, playability. was passed around at the jam and approved by all.

[bmac]

There is a Mid-Mo in the classified right now at a reasonable price. If as described you can't do any better than that.