Mandolin Cafe Message Board - Looking for information about mandolins http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/ Have an old instrument you want to find out about? Want to discuss issues about vintage vs. new and related topics? Post here. en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:27:04 GMT vBulletin 1 http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/images/misc/rss.jpg Mandolin Cafe Message Board - Looking for information about mandolins http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/ Mandolin Banjo Question http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56763&goto=newpost Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:22:23 GMT I've been looking into these and listened to a few on youtube, I'm really liking the sound. Anyone have one? I'm looking to pick one up to mess around with; something playable that wouldn't really require restoration. I looked at a few, two are pretty similar in price, any thoughts on the Gold Tone vs. the Tyler Mountain? Anything I should know? Thanks. ]]> Looking for information about mandolins dickhoff3 http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56763 Aria AM700 http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56730&goto=newpost Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:50:07 GMT Can anyone tell me something about an Aria AM700? I can find nothing online about it, but there is a SWEET one hanging in the local music store. ... Can anyone tell me something about an Aria AM700? I can find nothing online about it, but there is a SWEET one hanging in the local music store. Thanks in advance.:mandosmiley: ]]> Looking for information about mandolins RichardS http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56730 Altman Two Point Mandolin http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56723&goto=newpost Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:08:42 GMT About the only time I post here is to add new information that might help with someone's questions or thoughts about something they might want to know. I use the message board frequently for this - lots of great people and information our there.

For what it's worth, I purchased the Altman Two Point from Fiddler's Green in Austin about a month ago. Love the instrument and I have a long way to go learning it - both in feel and tone.

But I thought I would post a link to the first available recording of it on this site. It's just a meditation in G minor.

The URL is http://chocteemusic.com/instrumentals.cfm . The track is the very last one on the page. It can be streamed or downloaded at no charge to you. If you are interested in Altman Two Point mandolins and wanted to get an idea of the tone, well here it is.

Recorded with a Pocketrack CX and encoded using iTunes. No other reverb or sound alterations used.

Strings are Thomastik Heavies - I just like the feel of them.

Steven ]]> Looking for information about mandolins Steven Clarkson http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56723 What is a 1988 Gibson F5 Fern worth? http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56707&goto=newpost Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:48:03 GMT I have a friend that has a 1988 Gibson F-5 Fern mandolin. I plan to help her sell it. She says its in mint condition. But I need to know it's approximate worth. Any one know and could send a $$ figure my way?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Rhonda ]]> Looking for information about mandolins Rhonda http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56707 Washburn http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56703&goto=newpost Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:07:06 GMT I have an A-style Eastman which I really like, but eventually I'd like to get an F-style as well. I have a Weber Octave which is also great, and unlike the Eastman is made in America. Like as not I'll wait until I can afford a Weber, but I'm keeping an open mind. The Eastman 815 is awful tempting, for example. But a friend of mine suggested the Jethro Burns M6SW Washburn. I don't know anything about Washburn, and am curious if anyone has experience with the make and/or the model. Do they have good reputations, are they made in America?

Thanks -- Robert ]]> Looking for information about mandolins un5trung http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56703 A-Style vs F-Style - Is there a sound difference? http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56698&goto=newpost Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:27:48 GMT Hello All,

I have been playing guitar as a hobby for 20+ years and I have always had an interest in learning to play mandolin & banjo. I grew up seeing the F-style mandolin most of the time but I noticed that most of the lower priced models are the A-style. I was wondering what the differences are between the two. I prefer the look of the F-style, but I would have no problem buying an A-style to start off with if it could save me a little bit of money.

Also, I have noticed that the guitar makers I am familiar with, Gibson, Epiphone, Fender, Washburn, Ibanez & Dean, all make mandolins. Are there any brands out there that strictly make quality mandolins but a newbie such as myself not know about. I've heard good things about Kentucky from various reputable sources, but as with anyone trying to sell a product, if you read it's description they are going to say it is one of the best and so on.

Thanks for any help you may be able to give! :mandosmiley: ]]> Looking for information about mandolins WolfMoon http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56698 <![CDATA["Scot" mandolin? Any opinions?]]> http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56645&goto=newpost Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:27:00 GMT Hi all, I came across this ad for a "Scot" mandolin. It is supposed to be constructed by an ex Gibson employee. I am unfamiliar with the brand. Does anyone have any experience with this make? I am especially interested in comments regarding sound and quality.

thanks and best regards :)

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Scot-F-5-Bluegras...item2303e14132 ]]> Looking for information about mandolins naugler http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56645 Any opinions on Freshwater Octave Mandolins? http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56636&goto=newpost Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:05:58 GMT Hi all, my first post!

I'm thinking of buying a second-hand Freshwater FF107 Octave Mandolin. www.freshwater-instruments.com/product2.htm#3 Has anyone got an opinion on Freshwater mandos in general, or this model in particular?

I'm still a beginner but this one seems nice enough to play. One thing that is surprising is that the action seems very low (and equal on all strings), there's also some fret buzz unless played quietly - does the bridge need shimming and reshaping? The finger board is perfectly straight but there's no obvious way to get to the truss rod to make any adjustments - is this normal?

What other types should I look at in the £300 area?

Dave ]]> Looking for information about mandolins aero_mandolin http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56636 <![CDATA["Montana" mandolin]]> http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56609&goto=newpost Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:24:31 GMT Hello there. Has anyone heard of a Montana brand mandolin? Are they any good as a beginner instrument? What would one be worth? Thanks. Hello there. Has anyone heard of a Montana brand mandolin? Are they any good as a beginner instrument? What would one be worth? Thanks. ]]> Looking for information about mandolins jcouncil http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56609 Looking for thicker neck, any recommendations? http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56598&goto=newpost Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:40:19 GMT I realized my fingers are not liking going from guitar to the tiny neck of a mandolin (mild tendonitis) so wondering if maybe there are bigger necks... I realized my fingers are not liking going from guitar to the tiny neck of a mandolin (mild tendonitis) so wondering if maybe there are bigger necks than my Loar LM-600. I thought I heard the LM-600 had a fairly thick neck compared to others though, so I may be out of luck. It's not so much more width I need, my fingertips are not that thick at all, it's more the actual thickness of the neck that could help me a lot if it was bigger, but both would be great. Looking for A style with F holes, budget around $500. I have no stores with mandos around here to try out various sizes unfortunately so thought I'd ask here. Thanks much for any tips.
Jim ]]> Looking for information about mandolins Jim1954 http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56598 Rigel Dating Question http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56515&goto=newpost Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:41:58 GMT Any one know what year Rigel Mandolins started being made in Cambridge VT versus Hyde Park VT? I have #1883 with a tag that says 'Made in Hyde Park VT' and #2486 that is made in Cambridge.

Thanks. ]]> Looking for information about mandolins the_mahout http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56515 what make is his mandocello? http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56514&goto=newpost Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:03:32 GMT does anyone know who makes these types of mandocellos? Image: http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/98/l_7b975f75689c4fc79a47723288d0e379.jpg does anyone know who makes these types of mandocellos?

]]> Looking for information about mandolins MikeK http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56514 Kentucky KM900 http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56506&goto=newpost Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:17:56 GMT I think I read somewere that Kentucky is making a KM900, does anyone have some info on this? would that be an A style mandolin? Thanks, I think I read somewere that Kentucky is making a KM900, does anyone have some info on this? would that be an A style mandolin?

Thanks, ]]> Looking for information about mandolins MANDOLINMYSTER http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56506 Help identify this mandolin! http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56499&goto=newpost Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:36:16 GMT Hi! I was watching this Youtube cover of the Kook's Tick of Time, and the video has a really neat mandolin, or mandolin related instrument playing in the background- the camera cuts to the mandolin player towards the end of the video. Can anybody identify what the guy is playing in the video? Is it a custom made mandolin? Whatever it is...I want one!!
Thanks!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7BlMWqcK-o ]]> Looking for information about mandolins oklokat http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56499 <![CDATA[Flatiron 2 M & 2MW]]> http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56470&goto=newpost Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:12:17 GMT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE DIFFERENCE IS BETWEEN A FLATIRON 2M AND A FLATIRON 2MW ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED:mandosmiley: I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE DIFFERENCE IS BETWEEN A FLATIRON 2M AND A FLATIRON 2MW ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED:mandosmiley: ]]> Looking for information about mandolins blugrsr http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56470 Another Strad http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56464&goto=newpost Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:44:05 GMT I'm obsessed with finding and buying these things. Don't know why. All because some ornery old guy named Bill said they were not bad for the money. Anyhow...

Just bought this one for about 80 bucks....Any way you guys can tell if it's a solid top from this pic? Does the block letter headstock mean anything? Just basically wondering if you guys can offer any info on account of this pic...

Thanks!
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]]> Looking for information about mandolins bienkow1 http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56464 Scot mandolins http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56462&goto=newpost Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:53:45 GMT Anybody hear of Scot mandolins? Anybody hear of Scot mandolins? ]]> Looking for information about mandolins bluegrassdan http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56462 Upgrade advice but clueless, and will have to buy online I think. http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56445&goto=newpost Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:03:05 GMT Hi all,

Longtime lurker here, but first time poster. I've built up some good information and tips here since I started the mandolin a few years back, about 4 years now.

I am primarily a guitar player, but got a mandolin a few years back to mess around on, and found I picked it up a lot quicker than I thought, so now would be gigging and recording a lot with it, as much as my guitar anyways.

I play in a trad/rock style 5 piece band, which consists of drums, electric bass, semi acoustic guitar, fiddle (he alternates between fiddle and banjo). So, it's pretty loud, and our set list consists of mainly Irish tunes, jigs, reels, old Irish songs.

I bought a cheap Crafter electric mandolin when I was starting, and it has served me well, as I gig it every week with this band. It's the Crafter M80E or it could now be the M85E/N

http://www.crafterusa.com/gallery/m7...ries_main.php#

Mine is the natural colour one. Mine doesn't have the round soundhole.

For a cheap mandolin, it has served me well. I hook it up through a DI box, a Boss EQ pedal and put it through the PA, and it seems to pack a punch, and a few people have complimented it cutting through.

I would like to upgrade, but am not sure what road to take.

I suppose, seeing as I play in a full band, an electric solid body mandolin might be the way to go, or something like the Fender FM 62 SE (discontinued I believe, but there is one in a shop near me for sale) and they look pretty cool!

However, I can't play the solid body acoustically and I have read mixed reports on the Fender, even though I tried it out and it seemed ok, I would like to try some more.

My problem with the Crafter is I feel the neck is too thin for my fingers, especially around the first 3 or 4 frets, so it can be a tad uncomfortable at times.

Next problem is where I live: Ireland. It seems lots of shops seem to stock mandolins as an afterthought, so you don't get much of a choice. You seem to get lots of entry level mandos, and not many intermediate to advanced ones. You get a few tanglewood F styles, and the odd fender, but that's about it. I only came across a store in Manchester, England, that had a good stock of Mandos, but I wasn't looking to buy at the time, so didn't try any.

I would like to get an acoustic Mando for the simple reason that it would be nice to be able to play acoustically, and an all wood body would appeal to me, as opposed to the Crafter which doesn't offer this. I have recorded unplugged with the Crafter and it seems ok, but again, I like the idea of an all wood body.

If I bought an acoustic Mando, I would then maybe install a Fishman or something similar, so I could play it with the band as well..

I have read the F holes on an A shaped Mando are better for projection over oval soundholes on A shaped Mandos. Most of our tunes and songs are Celtic, and I have read that an oval shaped soundhole is good for Celtic styles. But the projection isn't great? Being in a 5 piece band, this may not be good...? Though if I'm going through the PA, what does it matter......?
I do like Bluegrass as well, and would play some, as well as some rock songs as well. I play in an indie/folk type band and would use the Mando on quite a few songs, along with a bass player, drummer, and electric guitar....

I love the look of the Bluegrass, F shaped Mandos, but I have read that for around the 4 to 500 dollar mark, an A shaped Mando would be better bang for the buck.

My problem is bar getting on a plane to the USA and going to shops playing as many Mandos as possible is not an option right now. I could do it, but what I would spend on a flight could buy me a Mando!!

So my budget being around $400 dollars, or a bit more if I had to, should I go for an Eastman or a Kentucky, and buy it online? My main concern being neck width, my gut tells me it would be better to play one to see...

I could go and get a Mando made for me, but that would be serious money, around $1000 dollars or more, and I don't know if I can afford that or would be prepared to spend that much...

I did play some "McBride" mandos in Dublin, a Fender electric copy and a Bluegrass style, and while they felt ok, I have nothing to compare them to.

Maybe a flight to the UK might be a good option too if someone on this side of the Atlantic could point me in the right direction...

So basically I'm clueless as where to start. A style, F style, is there one manufacturer whose necks may be slightly wider than others...Solid body electric? acoustic with an round soundhole, or f shaped soundholes....????

It's also hard to come across good used Mandos in Ireland as well, though I hear Clareen Banjos in Galway has some used higher end Mandos..... ]]> Looking for information about mandolins bazza http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56445 Buddy Davis #49 http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56441&goto=newpost Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:43:13 GMT I have just bought, but not received, a Buddy Davis Mandolin, #49. Could any of you Buddy Davis owners advise me on the approximate age of #49? Any... I have just bought, but not received, a Buddy Davis Mandolin, #49. Could any of you Buddy Davis owners advise me on the approximate age of #49? Any other information (materials used, etc.) on these mandolins would be appreciated.

Thanks,
J.C. ]]> Looking for information about mandolins J.C. Bryant http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56441 Need help for buying my first mandolin http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56423&goto=newpost Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:09:53 GMT Hi, I am from Mexico (no idea about mandolins whatsoever). I would to start saying how impressed I am to see all this knowledge passing from experts... Hi, I am from Mexico (no idea about mandolins whatsoever). I would to start saying how impressed I am to see all this knowledge passing from experts on such a kind way. You dont see this often in other sites...
I have been playing guitar for 20 years and would like to switch to the mandolin world. My intention is to start learning some Irish songs a swell as some bluegrass as well. I am sure you have heard this one MANY times..... Should I buy an f or an A??? I have heared that Eastman are good for beginners... I have around $650 to $700 to spend and would not mind buying an old mandolin at all.
Also, any advice on starting lessons? (dvds, books, etc)
Thank you and God Bless!

Rodrigo ]]> Looking for information about mandolins rodrigoz http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56423