How Many Would Like to Have a Weber SWEET PEA??

[allenhopkins]

One on eBay now.

[bart mcneil]

At some point in my early interest in mandos I tried a Martin (backpacker) small one and was so taken back by its lack of tone that I would be turned off on any small mando. I think there is an acoustic reason why very small mandos are not being made anymore. People may want better tone than these offer. And of course they cost about as much as a decent full size mando.

[mandroid]

I had a Martin BP , thing i was impressed with was its playable feel and its ruggedness ..

One trip to Seattle With friends It was left sticking out of my backpack on top of the car and drove out from under it
it was in it's gig bag ,, went back picked it up off the street and after that bounce it wasn't even out of Tune

by having the neck and sides all out of the same piece it was quite strong .

Resold it to someone taking a trip to South America. Actually Backpacking ..

But yea a regular Mandolin, for most people, is small enough as they are ..

[Mando Muffin]

Love 'em. Sturdy, compact, decent tone, and fun. Wish Weber would bring them back. I'd buy a couple.

A fella I pick with would pay $400 for one on the spot if he could find one.

MM

[VernBrekke]

I just saw this weekend that Music Villa in Bozeman, Montana has a Sweet Pea in stock.

Vern Brekke

[pheffernan]

I just saw this weekend that Music Villa in Bozeman, Montana has a Sweet Pea in stock.

For half of a fella's $400 budget: http://www.musicvilla.com/mv-used-gear/

[mandroid]

There was someone who Wintered over in the Incredibly Dry Antarctic South Pole Station
(any moisture is locked up as Ice, then)
they posted a few years ago
about how, there, they had top collapse Problems.

But that is the definition of an extraordinary circumstance..



Now a Carbon Fiber, Pocket Mandolin, would Be the thing ..
I hauled my Mahogany Leo Pocket Mandolin on a few quite long Bicycle Tours
it packed well (just 20"overall) amongst my top of the rear rack load..

[ I had people wanting to buy it from me, before I even started my Trip. ]
Saw an advertisement for them in the old Mandolin World News , reprints,
but mine is the only one I've seen or held in my hands


CF , well done, is very resonant .. The Quality Of my Mix A5
is even better after it's (Evo) re fret..

[Petrus]

For half of a fella's $400 budget: http://www.musicvilla.com/mv-used-gear/

That's a cool site! They've got some interesting items. A Sheehy F-style; Bayard mandola; a resonator cello (!) etc.

[Petrus]

There was someone who Wintered over in the Incredibly Dry Antarctic South Pole Station (any moisture is locked up as Ice, then) they posted a few years ago about how, there, they had top collapse Problems. But that is the definition of an extraordinary circumstance..

Now that would've been the perfect place for my ice mandolin concept.

[bart mcneil]

If price is a major object, as it is with many of us, consider a used mando of those brands which Allen Hopkins mentioned above.
They do show up now and then on this site. and eBay, or Craigs List.


"...Which mandos would you all suggest at $300?
Loar LM-170; solid hand-carved top, laminated back and sides.

Kentucky KM-160; all solid woods, hand-carved top.

Even cheaper is the Rover RM-50, which is all solid woods but with a heat-pressed top."

[Dale Pauline]

Hi Nalajr,

When I first began playing a few years ago I was looking for some type of fretboard without a mando...if that makes sense. I wanted to practice my chording and finger landing, but didn't want to carry a mando around all the time.

I found my Sweet Pea and bought it used from Elderly in Michigan. I've had it a few years and love it. It does exactly what I want and that's to give me a tool to practice on without any bulk.

No, it doesn't have the sound that my F-5 or Pava have, but I still pull it out often and kick back in my recliner and pluck away. I wouldn't pay $400 or whatever they get for them now, but it may be worth that price to you depending on what you want it for. I think it's a great learning tool. JMHO.

[Doug Ezell]

I have a Sweet Pea mandolin and I'll tell you why I like it. It's great for airline travel. I can fit it in my backpack and then put my rolling suitcase in the overhead bin. If I was carrying a regular sized mandolin I'd have to give up one of those bags or check one, which I don't like to do.

And yes, the sound is a little thin. But it's easy to play and keep in practice while I'm traveling. And it's unobtrusive and doesn't overwhelm traveling partners or neighbors.

Just one guy's opinion on what works for me. Not interested in selling it, thanks.

Doug in Montana

[JeffD]

Of course, there's also the soprano mando option, but those are hard to find and expensive.

I was thinking to suggest this. They are not inexpensive, as they are a full fledged uncompromised instrument on their own, pitched a fourth higher than the mandolin. I would never take one hiking, but I take one to jams and festivals and anywhere I would take a nice mandolin. Small, compact, loud enough, and with its own beautiful voice.

And the case mine came in looks to be about the size of a fancy dueling case for two pistols. So cool.