A style hybrids

**UnityGain** · May-09-2008, 11:03am

Got some money in my pocket, and am contemplating a new mandolin, wondering what my options for a A style hybrid might be. I've somewhat hesitantly decided that a plain jane A style is my best bet bang for the buck, and I am really perfer 15th fret joints. But I'm tempted by an oval hole, and am wondering whats out there in hybrid A style land. My budget is medium low ~$2K.

**Chip Booth** · May-09-2008, 12:09pm

Breedlove ovals are hybrids.

**Jonathan Peck** · May-09-2008, 12:24pm

One more K will get you one of these

**Lee** · May-09-2008, 12:34pm

Here's an idea: BRW offers a really nice hybrid but it comes with three points and an associated jump in price over his basic $2000 A-style. Ask Ben to build an oval-hole A-style without points and you might get down to your price point. Asking for no fretboard and headstock binding, and very simple inlay might get the price down further.

**otterly2k** · May-09-2008, 12:40pm

If you want something sooner than later (e.g. don't want to wait for a custom build), I'll second the recommendation for Breedlove.

Also, if you can find a used Phoenix in that range, you'll find that the tone is closer to that of an oval despite the f shaped holes.

**Doug Edwards** · May-09-2008, 12:44pm

Jonathan, that's a really nice mandolin. Good thing I'm not allowed to have money or credit cards.

**Jonathan Peck** · May-09-2008, 1:38pm

Thanks Doug, I've been real happy with it. These mandolins have to be the best bang for the buck that I've seen for a custom non-import.

**UnityGain** · May-09-2008, 6:52pm

Originally Posted by (Jonathan Peck @ May 09 2008, 13:24)

One more K will get you one of these

don't toy with me.... Really, its not nice, I JUST convinced myself to go with an A syle. And then you have to go and show me that...

That Idea about the BRW sounds good too.

I still havent decided on f hole or oval, I need to play some first, but my MAS has reached a new level and I want to know whats out there, so I can have an even harded decision to make.

**JEStanek** · May-09-2008, 8:57pm

I believe Weber will make a long necked oval in various levels for you too.

Jamie

**man dough nollij** · May-09-2008, 9:25pm

I would look at one of these or if I could smash my piggy bank, one of these. Personally, I love the pumpkin top and red back. If I hit the lottery, I'd order one of these. . Weber is making me a custom Bridger OM now. If I let MAS get the better of me when I get back from the ice, I think I would order a Gallatin with an oval hole, pumpkin top, red back, binding top and back, and a rosette around the soundhole. Gallatins have a minimalist pointy scroll, and Weber paddlehead, which appeal to me. It would be very different, and probably sound incredible. Happy shopping!

**pjlama** · May-10-2008, 9:56am

Dennis at the Mandolin Store has a long necked oval Weber in stock around 2k. Ilike the BRW idea to, Ben sent me his hybrid to try and it was off the charts.

**man dough nollij** · May-11-2008, 9:31pm

This is <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Weber-mandolin-w-original-case-hanging-tags-USA-1-NR_W0QQitemZ180240680510QQihZ008QQcatego
ryZ10179QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">nice</a>.

**CelticDude** · May-13-2008, 6:02pm

Given your budget, I suggest you look at EBay. At the moment there are 2 (count them - 2) Rigel Q95 mandolins. They are beautiful. If I had the money, I would grab one. Note: I have no connection to the sellers of these mandos; I've just been sort of jonesing for a Q95. IMHO whoever gets one of these is a lucky dude.

DWP

**jefflester** · May-13-2008, 6:24pm

Originally Posted by (CelticDude @ May 13 2008, 16:02)

Given your budget, I suggest you look at EBay. #At the moment there are 2 (count them - 2) Rigel Q95 mandolins. #They are beautiful. #If I had the money, I would grab one. #Note: I have no connection to the sellers of these mandos; I've just been sort of jonesing for a Q95.

Don't recall seeing that "butterscotch" color before, different, and I like it!

**CelticDude** · May-13-2008, 9:29pm

Originally Posted by

Don't recall seeing that "butterscotch" color before, different, and I like it!

Yes the butterscotch is different, and nice. OTOH, I think of the "Amana" white, with the dark sides & back, as the classic Q95. Probably because that's the one I saw first (on JazzMando, I think? Which also had a couple of soundclips.)

**peter.coombe** · May-13-2008, 9:49pm

This is something I have been thinking about doing for a long time, but never got around to it. Moving the neck foreward so the cross piece is at the 15th fret involves some significant structural changes that changes the sound of an oval hole. The ones I have played definately sounded different and I did not like them much at all. Added to this is that some look a bit like a frying pan with a handle. Look at the picture above and you will notice the bridge has been moved foreward 3 frets so the bridge is no longer in the centre of the instrument. This I would humbly suggest must change the sound. Anyway, I have some new ideas I would like to try out that will give a longer necked oval hole mandolin with little or no changes in sound (I hope!). The crosspiece will be at the 14th fret not the 15th, because I think that stretching it to the 15th is going just a bit too far and involves too many compromises. Anyway, the top and back have been cut out (not yet carved) and all I need now is sufficient incentive to go ahead. More hours to the day and less sleep would also help

, although an order for one would be a really strong incentive, but I'm not holding my breath, so this is likely to take a while. Will be very interesting, since I am in the position of being able to do some meaningful comparisons.