PDA

View Full Version : Any experience with rover mandolins?



celtic_knut
Oct-10-2004, 8:55am
Here (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=3752761535&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT) is a link to an eBay Dutch Auction for the Rover RM-75 all-solid spruce/maple F-style. Its buy it now price of $299 is tempting, but I can't help but think of the old adage "you get what you pay for". #(It also has this interesting feature: a pre-scooped fretboard extension.)

Thin Man String Company (http://www.thinmanmusic.com/mandolins,Mandolas,octave%20mandolins,%20bouzouki. htm) is selling this for $425, and has a the following to say about this model (note: he SHOUTS in all of his product descriptions):

THIS HAS GOT TO BE THE BUY OF THE DECADE FOR AN F5!! THIS LIMITED RUN WAS MADE FROM MICHIGAN MAPLE FOR THE B&S, THAT'S A NORTHEASTERN MAPLE, AND THAT'S WHY THEY SOUND SO WARM!
# THE WOOD WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FLAME MAPLE AND WAS TO GO ON THE MORE EXPENSIVE ARTIST SERIES F5 MODELS*, BUT IT DIDN'T HAVE THE FLAME THEY WANTED. SO, THEY DECIDED TO USE IT ON A LIMITED RUN NEW MODEL, AND CALL IT THE ROVER RM75. #I WAS BLOWN AWAY BY THE TONE OF THE FIRST ONE I HEARD. THIS MODEL WAS BASED ON THE 1923 LLOYD LOAR, WHICH MEANS IT'S NOT YOUR TYPICAL MANDOLIN, THE WOODS ARE FINELY GRADUATED (YOU CAN EASILY SEE IT IN THE SCROLL WORK). YOU WON'T FIND THIS QUALITY IN ANY OTHER F5 UNDER $1000
(*Refers to Kentucky Artist Series F model)


Any experience or comments on Rover in general out there, or specifically about this model?

celtic_knut
Oct-10-2004, 9:03am
Link to pic from Thim Man's site:

http://www.thinmanmusic.com/R75.JPG

mad dawg
Oct-10-2004, 6:57pm
Related discussion here. (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=13;t=18255;)

AC4RD
Oct-14-2004, 4:39am
The fellow I ordered the RM75 from on Sunday has put another "Buy it now" listing on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws....65&rd=1 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10179&item=3754278465&rd=1)

I should add that mine hasn't arrived yet--paypal was down for a couple of days, which slowed things down. I'll post a report on it when it arrives, though being a total newbie at the mandolin, it will necessarily be limited.
--Ken