Oscar Schmidt Mandos

[olddognewtricks]

Does anyone have an opinion on the Oscar Schmidt brand of mandolins? I've begun playing with one and am enjoying it but would love feedback incase there are problems associated with the brand.

[ChrisWallace]

Hello,
I have one. It's an A style w/ a pickup. Personally, I don't like it very much. I'm not sure which model you have but mine was a cheap "plywood special" and the spacing between the strings is too narrow so I was constantly muting strings that were supposed to ring out. It drove me crazy so, eventually, I upgraded to a much nicer mando w/ a radiused fingerboard (it was the best $$$ I've ever spent!!). I still use it as my beater though and if I ever feel the need to play in a driving rainstorm, that'll be the mando I reach for!! ;) However, in all fairness, it does stay in tune fairly well and it definitely served it's purpose as my starter mando.

Which model do you have?

[duuuude]

I have an oval-hole Oscar & love it for what it is. Not bad workmanship & easy to play, the only complaint I have is it gets lost in a bigger jam, could use more volume, but great fun with 2 or 3 folks.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[Jasper]

Hi,

Haven't read many postings in a couple of weeks, but yours on Oscar Schmidt mandos caught my eye. I have picked up a few and piddled in stores and found them to be average.

Concerning the fade your mando has in a group...it is most likely caused by the oval hole. While oval hole mandos posssess nice tone and warmth, they lack the punch of an f-hole version. Banging on the strings harder might increase your volume, but will likely cause you invest in new strings more often. If you keep it, maybe a thicker pick, around .9 to 1.0 millimeter.

Jasper