Good Mandolin for studio work?

[woods]

Hello everyone,

Hope this is the best forum to post this inquiry.

I am looking for a half decent mandolin used or new. It is for my studio. Doing projects that range from Maritime Folk to alt country, roots, to mild bluegrass. Also productions like Bob Dylan's Love and Theft and Mark Knopfler's Sailing to Philadelphia and Ragpicker's Dream.

What would be a good Mandolin to get that is a good all-around instrument and good tone and playability etc.? May be in the $400 new range. (If that's possible)

Thanks,

Woods

[phynie]

a mid mo should fit that price range.

[Spruce]

I'd get a Gibson A model that is a good player but is non-collectable...

Something that sounds good on tape, but has had some repaired structural or refinishing problems that would drop the price to your price-point.

[davestem]

As Bruce says, a Gibson with a history of neglect may be viable, but they seem hard to find. The Mid-Missouri is a nice option if you're buying new, and has generally positive comments about its tone and playability. You also might look around for a Martin A-style with some repairs on it. They have a sweet tone for most applications (though not traditional bluegrass).

[woods]

Thanks for your feedback.

Are there a few particular places that these neglected gibsons can be found - or do we just assume the usual suspects, ie. ebay, online classifieds, and google for used guitar shops across the country?

Also, what is a fair price range for these second hand gibsons?

Is there any such thing as Gibson "B" Stock or refurbs straight from the factory or retail?

Thanks,

Woods

[mikeyes]

There are very few Gibsons in the $400 range (maybe none) and few Martins for that matter. The Mid-Mo is a very nice mandolin for what you want and you can get it in that range used, especially. I would avoid a new instrument as you will not get the quality you want.

[Spruce]

"Are there a few particular places that these neglected gibsons can be found - or do we just assume the usual suspects, ie. ebay, online classifieds, and google for used guitar shops across the country?"

Why not stick a "wanted" on the Cafe classifieds?

"Also, what is a fair price range for these second hand gibsons? "

I've seen perfectly playable and good sounding As that have had a peghead snap and repaired, or refinished examples with repaired cracks go for 4-500 bucks quite often...

Keep in mind that when you're looking for a good recording mando, the tone and playablily are the only things that count. Volume ain't an issue, which if far from the truth when valueing mandolins in general...

That is, a mandolin that will cut it in a jam circle with b&%jos is what everyone is after, but a nice sounding mando that maybe might not cut it in a jam situation can be a great recording mandolin...
Gibson As come to mind, but a nice old Martin benttop or even something like a Djangolin can sound like a million bucks on tape...

[Dan Adams]

The Flatiron series of 1N, 2M, 2MC, etc... seem to fit the request. There have been a few on the market lately in that price range. The kind of music you describe fits the versitility of these mandolins.

good Luck, Dan

[8ch(pl)]

Dale has a Mid Missouri, maple body, wide fretboard for sale with hardshell case for $400 in classifieds. You won't do better than that.

[Spruce]

I'd get an oval-hole as opposed to an F-hole mando for recording music that "ranges from Maritime Folk to alt country, roots, to mild bluegrass. #Also productions like Bob Dylan's Love and Theft and Mark Knopfler's Sailing to Philadelphia and Ragpicker's Dream."

They are just a more versitile recording machine...