Petersen, Freshwater, Weber Sage, Kennaquhair, Gypsy, or TC Pro?

[timacn]

Hello. I'm considering getting an OM. I'm a banjo/guitar player who has been bitten hard by the mando bug. The OMs listed in the title are ones that seem to be well regarded, but I have never played any in person and have only heard them online, which can sometimes be misleading.

I was wondering if I could call on the collective wisdom, experience, and ears of the CBOM group to give me some advice.

(I realize that beauty is in the ears of the listener.)

As always, thanks for your help.

[otterly2k]

short answer-- YES! ;)

All of these are decent instruments, well-reputed around here. And the best advice would be to try ANY OM's you can get your hands on so that you can get some first-hand sense of the variables. But I know it's really hard in some areas to find even one to try. If you can't find any in stores, you might consider posting here to see if any CBOMers live in your area and would be willing to let you come try theirs. I'm in Philly and hosted a CBOM gathering a few years back, and Avi in NJ hosted one last fall. Eventually, I"m sure, there will be another gathering, and you won't find another way (short of going to zookfest) to try more OM's in one place.

Of the OM's you listed, I have played TC (not pro, but have played several), Weber (several) and Freshwater (zook). All are decent. TC's are a great value, being very solid decent instruments that sound pretty darn good and are easy to come by. I'm not a fan of Weber Sage, finding the neck too clubby and I don't love the tone or the look. I'm not sure if David Freshwater is still building. A used one in good condition could be a very nice find. The others you mention are well-reputed... particularly Petersen and Gypsy. Kennequhair instruments are not so common, so there's not been a lot of conversation about them, but what there is (as I recall) has been good.

So- perhaps this is not so helpful in choosing among the instruments listed. But I'll also put this forward-- because these instruments are hard to come by in person to compare, a lot of us end up buying something, playing it a while, learning from it what we do/don't like, and then trying something else... in a catch-and-release series of instrument purchases... until we find the one that is a good match for us. Learning from experience what scale length, neck profile, body configuration, flat v. induced arch v. carved top, etc. suits you is worth doing, especially if you're a person likely to settle into OM playing in a way that is more than dabbling.

I'd say that any of the instruments you mention would be a fine place to start, and most of them also a fine place to stay if it suits you. Used instruments are a good value as long as they are in good condition, and especially if you have someone who can make sure the instrument is well set-up. (I know someone in philly... ;) )

Best of luck, and be sure to keep us posted!
KE

[Johnozouk]

How much do you want to spend?

I would recommend that if you can afford it, go for a luthier built instrument versus a factory built instrument like the Trinity College. You can support the "little guy" versus the corporation, and you will probably get an instrument that will hold its value better and that you will like better. My first bouzouki was a Petersen and I liked it a lot. I have seen a few instruments that Bill made that were not as good, but if you buy direct from him, or many other luthiers, they will stand behind their work and replace it if you don't like it. We have some great luthiers on this forum including Graham MacDonald in Australia and Bill Bussman in New Mexico. Personally, I don't care for Weber instruments. I find them a bit thin in sound and high in price compared to many other instruments I have seen. Depending on how long you want to wait, an instrument from Davy Stuart in New Zealand is still a pretty good buy. Also consider Herb Taylor in Colorado. A lot of the folks who have been coming to ZoukFest, including ZF founder Roger Landes, have bought instruments from Herb.

My personal philosophy, not necessarily shared by others, is to buy the best instrument you can afford. You will enjoy it more, it will be easier to play, will sound better, and will hold more value when you go to sell it.

John

[sgarrity]

Petersen........great value for the money. Another to look for is a Flatiron Octave Mandolin/Bouzouki. They have a 23.5" scale and a 1 7/16" nut width and are usually around the $1k mark. Darn fine instruments.

[Marcus CA]

With Petersen's OM's, I think that there is a huge difference in his levels. I got to play a Level 1 and Level 3 OM side by side, and the Level 3 had a far richer tone. (Guess which one I bought! That's it for me. No OMAS with that one.)

[citeog]

If you're ever in lower Bucks County I have a Goldtone and a Freshwater OM that you can try. I'm a lefty player (as some folks already know) but these instruments are strung right-handed for the benefit of a couple of fellow musos who stop in. Give me a shout at <fearceol@gmail.com> if you're in the neighbourhood.

Paul

[otterly2k]

oh - and sorry, I forgot to say that if you visit Philadelphia, I'd be happy to let you play mine (Kawalek kit OM and Brian Dean 2 point) and most likely my friend Judith's Arches OM. Might even be able to corral a few others...

[steve V. johnson]

Petersen or Gypsy's.

[Padre]

all the freshwaters instruments that I've seen have very unconfortable neck
they are just too big and bulky, as far as I remember they don't have the trust rod in the neck
I presume that this is why they're trying to make a neck that will be able to take the presure of the strings
but as far as I know there are other ways to do that.

[Chuck Ficca]

I have a Freshwater cittern w, 10 strings and I don't find the neck uncomfortable at all, but I come from a 12 string guitar background. They are certainly thinner than the old Gibson pre truss rod mandocello necks. I believe that all the later
Freshwaters have a nonadjustable truss rod. My Weber 'cello beats either one for comfort or sound.

[Tavy]

I can't comment on their feel as I haven't tried one, but I do know that David Freshwater puts (non-adjustable-) truss rods in his necks.

[Padre]

still IHMO I've used more confortable shovel handles than those necks

[Eddie Jones]

I have a Petersen that I've been playing for about three years now. It is a good sounding instrument for the price, and I have really enjoyed it. At this point, I am going to upgrade to one of Herb Taylor's zouks. I don't know the others very well, though I have played a Flatiron, a Weber Sage, and a TC. I find the Petersen comparable in quality, though my experience is not extensive.

[Scanbran]

I'm also a banjo/guitar player, and I recently got a Moon OM, which is a beautiful instrument, and I'm very pleased with it.