Tacoma m1 vs. m2

[Jim MacDaniel]

There have been a rash of Tacoma M1's and M2's for sale at the auction site recently. I've played an M1 in the distant past, and while I don't recall having been blown away by the sound, I remember that it was very well setup, and was easy and fun to play. #As a result, and in conjunction with my case of low-budget MAS, I've been thinking about bidding on one of these.

Has anyone out there compared these two models side by side (maple vs. rosewood), and if so, what were your impressions of how their tone and volume compared?

[mandroid]

Tacoma is another Fender corp conglomerated brand, so the question is Washington USA or China, I think like Guild its a buy the brand name and go for lowest cost labor to make the product.

[Jim MacDaniel]

Yep -- we are talking about the same brand, as Tacoma was indeed purchased by Fender. The models I am interested in hearing feedback regarding (the M1 and M2), are two of the three flat-top models made in Washington. I don't think the rosewood M2 is made anymore, but as there have been a couple listed at eBay as of late, I was hoping to get any cafe members' feedback on them, especially if they have ever played the M2 (rosewood), or compared the M1 (or M3, both maple) with the M2.

[mandroid]

Well anyhow, played one on the wall at the local music store.
maple, white binding
[rare that there was any mandolins at all ]
#wasn't memorable , but it was functional.

[ I have a '21 A gibby for compare/contrast, though. ]

[Feanor]

Hard to get any volume out of those Tacomas....

[pickinNgrinnin]

Some years ago, I had a M3. To my ears, I did not notice a great difference in tone/volume between the Rosewood M2 and Maple M3. Easy to play. Excellent fit and finish. Not as loud as a carved top Mandolin. Great smell from the soundhole

[Jim MacDaniel]

I just sniped an M2 (rosewood back and sides, spruce top, with a shiny finish and body binding) on eBay, and got it for the sellers opening bid (I've seen them sell for more there, so I figured if I didn't like it, the worst I could do is break even). Anyway, my first impressions include:
- excellent fit and finish
- good intonation
- hate the tailpiece (as observed here before, it only has 4 tabs for all eight strings' ends)
- it's really fun and easy to play, with its radiused neck, fat frets, and low action
- the tone was a bit thin*
- nice smell from the soundhole (must be the spruce?

* It's not the most complex sounding instrument I've ever played, but I am going to put a spare set of Ted's Jazzmando strings on it to see if that helps. It will also be interesting to see if lighter gauge strings behave differently on the fat frets than the heavier gauge strings on it now (with the heavier gauge strings, it takes only a little pressure to fret, but I am wondering if the strings will tend to go a bit sharp if I idavertently press too hard on the lighter gauge strings). I am also concerned a little about its volume, so I am looking forward to seeing if it is loud enough in a session setting -- although with my playing skills, it might be an advantage to not be as easily heard by others

All in all, I think this will be a fun backup/traveller/camper mandolin.

(BTW, I just realized that the M1 is mahogany, not maple as noted in my header and initial post.)

[Steven Stone]

[I think like Guild its a buy the brand name and go for lowest cost labor to make the product. ]

Actually Fender bought Tacoma so they could build Guilds in a factory that knew how to make acoustic instruments.

All Guilds are now being made in the Tacoma factory, and the latest samples I played were very good guitars. They have gone back to late '50's specs and red spruce tops and braces on all Guilds.

Perhaps you want to check your facts before making casting aspersions on an entire line of products?

[mandroid]

The crew in Hoboken NJ did well, then the plant shifted to Westerly RI, which seem to also be skilled,
[maybe RI real estate taxes caused excessive value re assessment] so Fender Corp, take over of brand.
I've owned 2 of the NJ made ones , now a westerly RI (000like) F30,
now theres a GAD 'Guild acoustic design' series,
made in China [ new catalog text confirmation]
and a real domestic at $2K+. [ not to mention the carved many kilo $ jazz archtops.]

NB; Tacoma is a major container handling port of entry also.