Help me choose my next instrument! (mando or not?)

**Asha** · Apr-18-2008, 11:04pm

Fate has smiled on me and I am in the infrequent situation again of having some funds for a new instrument. Bonus, tax refund, savings, etc.. Yes, Multi-instrument acquisition syndrome keeps me awake at night once more!

So here's the deal. I have some ideas of what I think my next instrument should be, but I don't want to say...just yet anyway. I'd rather get all your opinions first, and see how it stacks up with what I was thinking.

Here's my current instruments collection:
============================================
Breedlove Oregon mandolin (pride and joy)
Flatiron (original) octave mandolin MB3
National Model One Brass Reso-phonic mandolin
Bart Reiter Whyte Lady deluxe clawhammer banjo
Mike Ramsey custom Vega Little Wonder fretless banjo
Turkish Saz, short necked baglama from Istanbul

Musically I am mostly into playing klezmer and eastern (arabic/turkish) music these days, but my background has also been in old-time (first love) and Irish/Celtic to some degree as well.

OK, if it were you, what your next instrument acquisition be?

Thanks for the help! (Don't you love helping to spend other people's money?)

**mandroid** · Apr-18-2008, 11:34pm

Tenor banjo in Irish Tuning? since you mentioned Celtic music.

It's cousin the Melody Banjo which is a 4 string Mandolin banjo is one I like [geared tuners like 16:1, are a must with short steel strings]

[4:1 planetary OK with longer strings]

**Michael Wolf** · Apr-19-2008, 12:45am

You play klezmer and arabic/turkish? As I can see from your list you don´t have a Bouzouki yet and no Oud. Lauto or Mandole would be a option.
I find that my Resophonic Tenor can sound quite turkish/balkanish if played that way.
The Tenor also has the advantage that your can play fiddle and irish tunes on it. This is very nice when you want to play Irish and Balkan Tunes in the same programm.

**man dough nollij** · Apr-19-2008, 1:14am

23" scale (ten string) Cittern. Yep.

**JEStanek** · Apr-19-2008, 10:26am

Duduk. More Armenian but, still used in middle eastern music (e.g., Peter Gabriel's Passion CD). I think it has a tremendous tonal quality. If I could play a woodwind instrument, the Duduk would be it!

Or if you can't decide, buy a starter mando (like a Kentucky KM140S and donate it to the Cool Mandolin Company's Mandos for Kids program.

Jamie

**Tim2723** · Apr-19-2008, 10:56am

I'm surprised given your interests that you don't have an oud. As Micheal said, a tenor banjo is great too and would be very versatile in your personal arsenal.

**Bob A** · Apr-19-2008, 11:17am

If you're into Arabic/Turkish/Klezmer, an oud (because it's fretless) or a violin (ditto) would seem of interest.

**allenhopkins** · Apr-19-2008, 1:56pm

Perhaps a mandola...?

**RobinG** · Apr-19-2008, 4:41pm

Lowden guitar for playing DADGAD - he is back in action and making superb instruments under his own control again: there will never be a better chance!
Robin

**Asha** · Apr-20-2008, 5:38pm

Whew...there's an amazing array of ideas there!

Tenor banjo (2)
4 string mando-banjo
Oud (3)
Bouzouki
Tenor Guitar
10 string Cittern
Duduk (Love that one! I do have some Djivan Gasparyan)
Violin
Mandola (2)
Guitar

About the oud: I have tried many an oud (and even some Turkish lavta) but find them difficult to hold physically. They keep wanting to roll up on me. I'm not sure about the difficulty of them being fretless either.

OK, so here are my own thoughts...I'm honestly between a mandola, tenor guitar or 6 string parlor size guitar.

What would you vote for? (I of course reserve the right to follow my whims! But all your feedback is gratefully accepted.)

**MandoBen** · Apr-20-2008, 5:51pm

I am loving my new mandola, sitting around playing it by myself it just sounds so warm and resonant compared to a mandolin.

**Jim MacDaniel** · Apr-20-2008, 6:06pm

I say get the Saz, or perhaps an Oud, since either would be an awesome addition to any collection -- and especially since it sounds like you would actually play them, given your musical interests.

**northfolk** · Apr-20-2008, 6:22pm

I vote for the Irish Tenor Banjo?

**Denny Gies** · Apr-20-2008, 6:29pm

Round out your collection and get a guitar, it will give you a lot of options.

**JEStanek** · Apr-20-2008, 7:06pm

Have you tried using a chamois cloth to help hold the oud (or bowl back mando) in your lap? I've seen bowl players (and oudists) use those to keep those odd shaped instruments in their place.

Jamie

PS. I saw the Shoghaken Ensemble this winter and loved every bit.

**otterly2k** · Apr-20-2008, 7:32pm

I happened to see/hear an oud player in a restaurant in Philadelphia who was playing an electric oud. It sounded awesome and was an elegant instrument and b/c it's not a bowl, it would save you the rolling problem. Here's a link: electric oud

**delsbrother** · Apr-21-2008, 2:43am

How about a Godin Glissentar, or, as previously mentioned, mandole (not mandola). Or an emando!

**Martin Jonas** · Apr-21-2008, 4:00am

If you're primarily a mandolin player -- as you would seem to be if the Breedlove is your pride and joy -- I would think you need a round-hole mando or two. #I believe the Oregon has f-holes, so an old Gibson A (or an Old Wave A if you don't want to go vintage) would be wonderful for Irish and Old Time. #For an even greater tonal variety, why not try your hand at a good vintage bowlback. #Great value for money (if you buy right) and arguably a more sympathetic tone quality for the Eastern and klezmer styles you're playing compared to either the Oregon or the National Reso.

Martin

**Tim Bowen** · Apr-22-2008, 12:08am

Man, there's nothing more sexy than an unfamiliar instrument. Musical style doesn't seem to matter, I'm always finding a place to put something.

Here's what I have:

electric and acoustic guitars
electric and acoustic high-strung guitars
electric and acoustic mandolins
electric basses
electric baritone guitar
electric and acoustic banjos
electric six string lap steel
harmonicas in several keys
jaw harps, tambourines, shakers, kazoos
acoustic piano
ancient analog synth

Here's what I want:

dobro
electric eight string lap steel
resophonic guitar
pedal steel
ukelele
dulcimer
zither
sitar
upright bass
glockenspiel and/or marimba
accordion
autoharp
Hammond B3, Vox Continental, Farfisa organs
Wurlitzer electric piano
Hohner clavinet

It never ends.

**Asha** · Apr-22-2008, 6:50pm

Right! It never ends... I'm really intrigued most by the Mandole (spelled correctly) and the interesting tuning if has. But locating a good quality one could be tough. That said, I sense a mandola in my more immediate future...and then a tenor guitar...and a 6 string guitar...and an oud...and...agghhh! Life is too short...

**UnityGain** · Apr-23-2008, 12:50pm

Tenor Banjo, Standard CGDA tuning

Its a bit more "in your face" and you can beat that funky dixeyland chop. I'd get one if I could.

or, mandocello?

**Asha** · Apr-26-2008, 2:24pm

Well...for those interested, here's where it went. I just won an eBay bid on a Pomeroy black face oval hole mandola! Whoo-hoo! That should do me (and pocketbook) for a while.