Cylinderback MAS

[Dave Caulkins]

Hello all,

Once again, I have given into MAS... This time for an old model 302 Vega Mandola. It can still be seen at Eldery where I purchased it from (the price was initially $850.00 but was reduced to $550.00). It's in need of TLC and a wee bit of work (I've already talked to Peter Mix of Rigel about the necessary repairs, and possibly making this a very modern cylinderback with a radiused fingerboard and a new top).

The link:Vega Cylinderback Mandola (http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/90U-3719.htm)

Am I mad? I don't usually buy instruments in less than excellent condition, and I sincerely hope I'm not in over my head. I talked one of the repair guys there and he thought it was pretty solid and just in need of a setup.

Make me feel better (or be honest and scare me). I'm looking forward to this instrument - I just hope its what I was really after!

Too Addicted to 8-Strings,

Dave

[MANDOLINMYSTER]

Hi Dave,

I have been looking at that one for a while as well. It does say the top is distorted, (usually sunken) but the price seemed fair. I have a wonderful c-back model 205 mandolin that sounds soo sweet. One of my picken buddies daughter thought someone was playing a piano when she heard it from the other room. Good luck with it http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[Eugene]

Yes, you are crazy...Oh, and I think you got a fair deal too.

PS: Check out Bob Devellis's site (http://bellsouthpwp.net/r/d/rdevelli/Vega%20307%20Mandola.htm) for a fine history lesson.

[Bob DeVellis]

Rationality has little to do with mandolin purchases. I personally really like the cylinder-backs and the mandolas can be really, really nice. Add to that the fct that Peter Mix and the guys at Rigel really know their way around those instruments (they did superb repair work on a cylinder-back mandola I have, before I got it), and I'm confident you'll end up with a really terrific instrument. The "is it worth it?" question is just too hard to define for these older, less common instruments to even be worth asking. If it's worth it to you, and you can swing it, that's all that matters.

[Dave Caulkins]

If figured a couple of y'all might chime in (thanks for the input and relieving some of my 'post-purchase anxiety').

My next question is what do I string this with?

I considered TIs, but they are, ahem, expensive to say the least (the mandolin strings look like a bargain after seeing a $38.00 price tag).

I consider D'Addario flat-tops and light gauge 'regulars' but I'm worried about the tension on what is potentially a delicate instrument.

I was hoping that GHS made silk-and-steel mandola strings but I can't find a trace of them...

Any thoughts?

Dave

[twaaang]

Dave, not too long ago you were claiming your MAS had you leaning toward a Jethro. If you are personally dropping off your cylinderback, be warned . . . there's a back room at the Rigel shop which exerts its very own MAS pull. Hope you enjoy. And congratulations on your "new" one, I'll bet it sounds great. -- PDW

[Bob DeVellis]

I use John Pearse light mandola strings on my cylinder-back. They're lighter than most other makers' sets for mandola. Also, the scale on the Vega is only about 15", so it takes less tnesion to get the shorter strings to pitch than it would on a longer-scale mandola. One good way to judge if the strings are right is to check intonation. If it's darn near impossible to get intonation right both down the neck and up, the gauge is probably off (assuming everthing else is in order).

[Bob A]

I've used classical lightweight strings on cylbacks - Dogal Calace RW92b, the lightest they make. I don't think you need anything heavier; after all, the thing is made and braced as light as a bowlback, and has no trussrod support.

[ira]

not mad at all. though i'd love a mando, not mandola, i just love those vegas.they are by far my fav sounding mandos congrats you lucky devil! (drooooooooool!)

[Dave Caulkins]

Howdy,

Yeah, I have to keep my lust for a Jethro Rigel on the back burner because I really don't want to end up in divorce court (she already thinks I'm crazy for even considering a Mandola that will need work eventually). I've owned far too many instruments in my life, most 6 strings (which I'm officially done with... for now), but I don't like parting with mandolins. Eventually, if I am to ever get that Jethro, I will have to part with one or two (the Flatiron goes nowhere, darn it!).

I'm psyched, my band is psyched, and my wife thinks I'm absolutely mad (though she did seem relieved to hear you guys think I'm ok... even the wifey likes this site! Doesn't hurt that she used to play mando - she plays only fiddle a bit now)

Ok, enough "("s...

Dave

[Dave Caulkins]

It's here!

Wow, it was worth it! I had never played a Vega before, they are stunning instruments (even when slightly run down). The plainest cylinderback that Vega made is still beautiful to me. I think I'm hooked, this bloody thing sounds like a lute (or maybe a harpsicord)! Rich & loud tone, virtually no weight (7 lbs with case, styrofoam, and box in shipping). She needs some TLC (note the wear on top... some distortion, not as bad as Elderly made me think. Kudos to them for undergrading). The back and sides are virtually perfect, well save the two repaired back cracks (very well sealed). This instrument will hopefully make it Rigel in the next year for a rebuild (I'm a player first, collector second). Check it out: Vega Mandola (http://www.acidpit.org/gallery/uploads/Untitled_1_copy)

[FrankenMouse]

Good score. I was searching for a nice mandola, and thought about pulling the trigger on that same Vega. But I hesitated, and I'm still mandolaless.

Congratulations, you won! I'm greeeen with envy.

[mandolooter]

Congrats on the 'dola and Im glad to hear your happy with it! #I too, own a few mandolin oddities with my multiple mandolutes and my cylinder-topped Howe Orme and they are wonderful examples of craftmanship and "history". #Altho I spend 99.5% of my time playing my Givens A, the others have a very nice tone that is quite different from the traditional carved-topped sound most are used to hearing unless ya listen to a lot of classical I guess. (I don't so Im not really sure) I've always been partial to "old" stuff and the level of craftmanship exibited even on the plain jane instruments. #Some day I'll own a Vega C.B. myself hopefully and a nice bowlback too, even if I do spend my pickin time on the Givens. #I wanna be the caretaker of a few pieces of history before I leave here for mando-picker heaven where all the dream mandos are hangin on my wall! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif