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Thread: Mando bass

  1. #26

    Default Re: Mando bass

    WOW! That's really a beauty; most of the pics I've seen the finish hasn't been nearly so pretty. Any details, like year, of your baby? Did you get it in that condition or have to do alot of work on it? As a double bassist, I'd love to have one. My husband and I already own 2 upright basses and a tamburitzan bass between us, so we DON' T need it, but the fact that they are hard to find and often overpriced for their condition is going to keep me from getting one anyway....It would be neat for the DMO to have one, though.
    "There are two refuges from the miseries of life--music and cats" Albert Schweitzer

  2. #27
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mando bass

    Goaty76, I assume your "J" has been refinished? I've only seen them in black, "pumpkin," and a somewhat lighter-than-pumpkin shade...
    Allen Hopkins
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  3. #28
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    Default Re: Mando bass

    Yeah, it's a great piece. It's a 1918. It's in the condition I got it in. It has some body cracks, some worse than others but all together not that bad shape. The finish is original but does look a bit darker in person. I believe the only thing not original on it are the two extending end pieces (one on the bottom for playing upright and one on the side for playing more like a guitar). They are replacements.

    Phil

  4. #29
    Formerly F5JOURNL Darryl Wolfe's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mando bass

    That is Tut Taylors own sign work on that mandobass. I remember seeing it years and years ago at Tuts...probably GTR
    Darryl G. Wolfe, The F5 Journal
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  5. #30

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    I saw a mandobass played in a polka band on Rick Steves Europe. Couldn't hear the thing though, the accordion and the yodeling was too loud.

  6. #31
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    Default Re: Mando bass

    To Goaty 76

    Since both mando basses were in Pickers and you checked them out, how they compare? (Sound? Projection?, etc).

    What was the deciding factor in buying the Gibson? What do you think of the Kalamazoo?

    Truckplayer

  7. #32
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    Truckplayer,

    To tell you truth I didn't check out the Kalamazoo bass that closely. I went with the Gibson because that is what I was in the market for. "The Gibson" name was the selling point on that one. As far as sound, projection, playabilty.......not the best on these models. They are fun in their own way but I don't think I would want to play a concert with one ( I'm not a bass player so I don't think I will ever have to face that problem). I got it to add to a collection of Gibsons and it does look cool in my living room. If money were not an issue I would love have the Kalamazoo mandobass also, but there are many other items I see myself getting first before a second mandobass.

    Phil

  8. #33
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    Default Re: Mando bass

    Phil,

    I thought of getting a mando bass, not for its playability but to have one. I love bass type instruments (I'm an upright bass player). I think it's cool looking and interesting conversation piece. Maybe it would be fun to try playing it.

    Great choice in going with the Gibson!

    Truckplayer (Juan)

  9. #34

    Default Re: Mando bass

    I know I have seen mandobasses made by Gibson, also in the Kalamzoo label, and a few rare ones by Lyon & Healy and Vega, altho' I forget which mando orchs own them. What other companies in the PAST made them? Any pictures of other vintage mandobasses besides Gibsons? I know if I'm lucky enough to get one, it will be a Gibson or Kalamazoo, but I'd like to know what else was out there...
    another upright bassist, Yvonne
    "There are two refuges from the miseries of life--music and cats" Albert Schweitzer

  10. #35
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    Default Re: Mando bass

    I just wanted to add that I think the Kalamazoo is a much rarer instrument than the Gibson Mandobass. It's only the second or third one I have seen. It was probably produced in much lower numbers as it was made well after the mandolin craze of earlier years. However, lower production numbers doesn't always mean greater value. The saying is "It's all about supply and demand". I disagree. I think "It's all about demand....period"

    Phil

  11. #36
    NY Naturalist BradKlein's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mando bass

    Here's a picture of the Kalamazoo that started this thread, from the store's site. I'm sure that they ARE much rarer than the Gibsons.

    It's interesting just for being an f-hole instrument, and I wonder if it's braced like a traditional bass. Does anyone have a photo of the headstock of this, or another Kazoo? I'd like to see the whole instrument, but don't want to put the store to any trouble.
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  12. #37
    Registered User Marc Berman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mando bass

    Quote Originally Posted by BradKlein View Post
    Here's a picture of the Kalamazoo that started this thread, from the store's site. I'm sure that they ARE much rarer than the Gibsons.

    It's interesting just for being an f-hole instrument, and I wonder if it's braced like a traditional bass. Does anyone have a photo of the headstock of this, or another Kazoo? I'd like to see the whole instrument, but don't want to put the store to any trouble.
    Brad check out http://www.pickerssupply.com/BASSES/BASS PAGE.html it has photos of the headstock (front and back). Just move the cursor to the front photo and you'll see the back.
    Marc B.

  13. #38

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    If I had the money, I might go for it, pretty cool looking, even if it isn't as old as the Gibsons....Yvonne
    "There are two refuges from the miseries of life--music and cats" Albert Schweitzer

  14. #39
    NY Naturalist BradKlein's Avatar
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    Thanks Marc.

    'Elegant' is not the word that comes to mind when looking at those f-holes. But, it's kind of cute in a homely sort of Kalamazoo way. And it's reminder of the thousands of early 20th c. orchestras and ensembles that are responsible for most of the vintage mandolins that we get to play with today.
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  15. #40
    Registered User Martin Jonas's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mando bass

    As far as soundclips/videos of a mandobass are concerned, check out Hillary James (Simon Mayor's wife). She plays mandobass in a duo with Simon and in their small mando ensemble, the Mandolinquets.

    Here is a Youtube clip, complete with mandobass.

    Martin

  16. #41

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    That mandobass is a modern one that sounds MUCH better than the old ones--NO COMPARISON, folks! And actually, for the money, it would be a better buy, but I believe the maker is in the UK--anyone remember? I had a link on my old pc.....Yvonne
    "There are two refuges from the miseries of life--music and cats" Albert Schweitzer

  17. #42
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    Default Re: Mando bass

    Hillary James' mandobass was made by Robin Greenwood. There's a photo on Simon Mayor's website and a couple more on the builder's website

    Patrick

  18. #43

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    Freedom Guitar in San Diego have/ had a Gibson Mandobass listed in the latest Vintage Guitar Magazine..for $9950 !!! Looked up their site ( FREEDOMGUITAR.COM ) but couldn't find a photo, nor a listing or description
    ...God forbid it actually SOLD for that price ?

  19. #44
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    Default Re: Mando bass

    Close to $10,000 for a mando bass? That would be crazy!

    truckplayer

  20. #45
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mando bass

    Someone just dug a 1913 mandobass out of an attic and sold it for $6.5K on eBay in less than 24 hrs, so hey.
    Emando.com: More than you wanted to know about electric mandolins.

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  21. #46
    NY Naturalist BradKlein's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mando bass

    What's with this after-market addition to that mandobass? Is this something that is done to bass fiddles? To protect the bridge? or to rest the player's hand?

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  22. #47
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mando bass

    Quote Originally Posted by mrmando View Post
    Someone just dug a 1913 mandobass out of an attic and sold it for $6.5K on eBay in less than 24 hrs, so hey.
    From what I've read and heard, these (relatively) high prices are more attributable to the rarity and the "curb appeal" of these giant mandos, than to their musical or acoustical qualities.

    I'd love to have one, but I'd probably play it infrequently.
    Allen Hopkins
    Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
    Natl Triolian Dobro mando
    Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
    H-O mandolinetto
    Stradolin Vega banjolin
    Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
    Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
    Flatiron 3K OM

  23. #48
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mando bass

    Quote Originally Posted by BradKlein View Post
    What's with this after-market addition to that mandobass? Is this something that is done to bass fiddles? To protect the bridge? or to rest the player's hand?
    Not after-market. That is indeed an arm rest. It's original to the instrument, but you hardly ever see a Gibson mandobass that still has one.
    Emando.com: More than you wanted to know about electric mandolins.

    Notorious: My Celtic CD--listen & buy!

    Lyon & Healy • Wood • Thormahlen • Andersen • Bacorn • Yanuziello • Fender • National • Gibson • Franke • Fuchs • Aceto • Three Hungry Pit Bulls

  24. #49

    Default Re: Mando bass

    Sound wise, most double basses beat out most mandobasses ANY day; it is the rarity, collectability and that unique look that makes the price of Gibson and other VINTAGE mandobasses so high. It would be neat to have one, but in these tough times, I can't see paying that much for one. I wonder if the eBay one was the one that was offered to me for $6K? I just don't have that much money for something that I can't eat or live on right now. Too bad, but that's how it is. Sad, huh?
    I do have a contrabass domra coming, but it was under $1K and it's coming with a bass domra as well. Priorities! Yvonne
    "There are two refuges from the miseries of life--music and cats" Albert Schweitzer

  25. #50
    Luthierus Amateurius crazymandolinist's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mando bass

    I want to see someone figure out how to tune one in fifths, then get D'Adario or Martin to make strings for it.
    "The Beauty of Grace is that it makes life Unfair" - Relient K

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