Composite Acoustics Survey

[Chunky But Funky]

Hey All,
Composite Acoustics has a market research survey on their website for what instrument to develop next. Mandolin is behind Nylon String and Acoustic Bass currently...let's try to change that! Get out and vote! (No disrespect to NewMad intended - options are good!)

CA Survey (http://www.caguitars.com/Surveys/Surveys.asp?p1=2)

Doug

[John Flynn]

I just voted. There aren't that many votes total at this point. It would not take much to put mandolins out ahead. Just a fraction of the people on this site could easily keep mandolins ahead.

A CA mandolin would be a nice addition to the market.

[Dave Greenspoon]

I am thrilled to see this. I e-mailed CA a few months ago and suggested that a value-priced mando would sell. With all due respect to Peter Mix and New Mad, even a used Mix A is way beyond the current upper limit of what I could spend. But give me a decent CA sounding for around the price of an Eastman or KM-1000, and I'd be a happy camper.

[GRW3]

I quite admire the CA Cargo travel guitar. With a 22" (I think, it might be 23") scale and two more strings it could make an octave mando worth playing. They could do that right now but yes a CA mando would be a good thing.

[Steve L]

I wonder what a carbon fiber flat top would be like both in terms of sound and marketability?

[desaljs]

I just placed my mado vote! Thanks for posting this.

[Nate]

I did my part, with three different email addresses I use. :)

[Douglas McMullin]

Just added my vote. I would love to see a CA mandolin.

[Chunky But Funky]

I don't think we need to resort to stuffing the ballot box quite yet! I just checked back and we're only behind nylon string guitar by 6 votes...c'mon ladies and gentlemen.

Doug

[mandroid]

Added an Email , further suggested a Carbon Fiber Weber Sweet Pea Variant, something a bit smaller, that you could take anywhere in any weather , was My suggestion .
Given Peter Mix Has nailed the F5 thing , pursue another market Niche rather than wrestle away a slice of an already small segment.

Shallow bowl back would release from the Mold better than sharp corners.

[foldedpath]

I guess it's a good thing to get feedback from potential customers, but sheesh... from a standpoint of "what works" in a composite instrument, I would think mandolin would be way ahead of nylon string guitar. The target for decent tone seems more achievable, since many people don't mind bright-sounding mandolins. It sort of comes with the territory. Classical players usually want plenty of warmth and sweetness in the tone, and that might be a tough nut to crack with CF. Nobody likes a thin-sounding nylon string guitar. Well, John Williams did, back in the quacky piezo pickup days of the "Sky" band, but hopefully we're beyond that now.

Acoustic bass guitar might have more potential. There aren't many designs out there that sound good. But I still hope they go for mandolin first.

[delsbrother]

Snakeskin Snakehead, anybody?

[mandroid]

A CF mando Bass ? once it gets big enough, that support dowel is a real Benefit.

I noted Luis and Clark has added CF Bass Viols to the Violin, Viola and Cellos offerings.

[Bob Aliano]

Just voted, mandos are ahead of nylon string guits by 7.

[mandozilla]

I just cast my vote for mandolin. :grin:

Competition is healthy...and the American Way! :))

:mandosmiley:

[Mike Snyder]

I'm in. Make mine an A oval.

[desaljs]

For what it is worth, I spoke to one of the CA dealers this weekend, and asked him to put in a vote for the mandolin. He deals with them on a regular basis, so hopefully our word with get out! I asked to an F style, priced right.

If this comes through some day, you folks owe me :))

[Ken Olmstead]

Mandos are out front at this point! Keep voting!

[GRW3]

The Ukulele guys beat the snot out of us 270+ to 90.

I did just trade for a CA Cargo (a guitar). I would much prefer them to stick with their technology in building a mandolin that trying to robot Gibson. If a CA mando had the kind of bass (relative) that the CA Cargo has people would be astonished.

[Ken Olmstead]

Funny how times change. 10 years ago, you could not hardly give a ukulele away.

[Eddie Sheehy]

My family and I just voted. 200 more votes and we outstrip the UKELELE. At least there's no Banjo in the survey... though you have to admire people that can turn a natural affliction into a musical career... j/k I play the banjo too....

[GRW3]

In correspondence with CA about my Cargo I acknowledged that the Ukeies had beat us. I also pointed out that, from observation at the local Uke shop, that uke players start getting nosebleed when the prices go past $100. Mando players, on the other hand, would thank a quality mando at a guitar price would be quite the deal. They agreed with the observation so there's hope yet. I also suggested that they stick to CA design ideas and not just copy Gibson in carbon fiber.

[Kevin K]

I voted, we're falling behind the ukes, c'mon guys and gals, go vote.

[Denalijoe]

Just cast my vote. I'd love to get my hands on a Cargo guitar to see what all the buzz is about. If CA could produce a good sounding mando at or under the Cargo guitar price point I'd be very interested! While I'm wishing I think I'll wish for a wide nut version too. :mandosmiley:

[Dr. Jazz]

I just cast my vote for the Mandolin. I've been nagging them for 5 years to build a mandolin and/or an upright bass.
I am the oldest CA dealer in Canada.
I also have the best selection of ukes in Canada.
I don't think a uke is a practical application of the technology.

[pickinpete]

Ok now.....of those voting.....how many will actually buy one should they build them?

[man dough nollij]

Ok now.....of those voting.....how many will actually buy one should they build them?

If I could get one for under $2k, I would jump on it. I'm so paranoid about a nice wooden instrument down here...:disbelief:

[Dr. Jazz]

I would certainly entertain the idea of selling them. I already do good business with their guitars.