Trinity College mandolins

**MandoBaptist** · Aug-10-2009, 8:08pm

Hey there. I'm new to the forum and would love some advice. I am thinking about upgrading from my entry level MidMo to a Trinity College mando. Thoughts? General reflections?

**catmandu2** · Aug-10-2009, 8:12pm

Welcome to the cafe.

The Mid-Mo is better than the TC, my thinking anyway...from owning several of each.

(general reflections below..)

**Steve L** · Aug-10-2009, 9:02pm

You're moving in the wrong direction.

**John Flynn** · Aug-10-2009, 9:41pm

Agree with the above. You would be taking a step down. If you wanted to upgrade on a flat-top, I'd give that Fylde Touchstone in the Classifieds a look. NFI, of course.

**Tim2723** · Aug-10-2009, 9:45pm

Hi and welcome!

I think you'll find that a lot of playrs would consider the Mid-Mo the better instrument, or at least that you'd be making a latteral move of sorts. Both brands are very popular among the Irish/Celtic crowd, especially the TC bouzoukis and octave mandolins.

What is it about your Mid-Mo that you feel needs improvment?

**Jill McAuley** · Aug-11-2009, 12:47am

There was also an Arches flat top in the classifieds recently (like within the past week) - walnut back and sides I think. There's been alot of great feedback on them from folks who've purchased them.

Cheers,
Jill

**John Flynn** · Aug-11-2009, 3:40am

Originally Posted by Jill McAuley

There was also an Arches flat top in the classifieds recently (like within the past week) - walnut back and sides I think. There's been alot of great feedback on them from folks who've purchased them.

Cheers,
Jill

I'll second that. A friend of mine had one of the those and it was easily the loudest flat-top I've ever heard. Good tone, too. Fit and finish were great also. It's a unique flat-top design in that it has a raised fretboard.

**onassis** · Aug-11-2009, 7:04am

You know, I don't think I've ever seen a TC mandolin, only octaves or mandolas. The entry-level CBOM seems to sort of be their niche.

**Steve L** · Aug-11-2009, 7:39am

My experience with the Trinity College stuff is the shorter the scale length, the less impressive they sound. I think the bouzoukis are a really good bargain (I've played one for years) and the octaves are too. The mandolins are okay, but they have a lot of competition that, in my opinion is better. If you want a better flat top than your Mid Mo, I would definitely look at Arches or used (out of production) Flatiron pancakes.

Fylde does make really nice stuff too; a bit less common here in the US. The one John mentioned in the classifieds is in Scotland. There's a Scottish builder named Jimmy Moon who builds good flat tops and his stuff does turn up here from time to time.

You might consider keeping your Mid Mo and look into an inexpensive (relatively) arch top like Eastman, Breedlove or Kentucky.

Also, when asking for this type of advice, it's a good idea to tell us what kind of music you want to play. Some instruments are good at some and less so at others. Even a great flat top will be less than spectacular in bluegrass, while a lot of mandolins work well in Irish music...on and on.

Welcome and good luck. You've got a good mandolin now. I'd take your time and educate yourself here for a while before buying/upgrading just to make sure you make the best choice for yourself.

**Jim MacDaniel** · Aug-11-2009, 10:30am

Originally Posted by Steve L

You're moving in the wrong direction.

Agreed. While the TC is pretty nice for a Asia-Pac factory-made mandolin, with repectable QC and fit & finish; the Mid-Mo is handmade buy a luthier, and is superior in tone, volume, and playability IMO.

A couple of other great options near the Mid-Mo's and TC's pricepoint includes two other luthier-made instruments, The Redline Traveler mandolin from Steve Smith (owner of Cumberland Acoustics), and Gypsy Music Mandolins from board sponsor Walt Kuhlman.

Originally Posted by John Flynn

Originally Posted by Jill McAuley

There was also an Arches flat top in the classifieds recently (like within the past week) - walnut back and sides I think. There's been alot of great feedback on them from folks who've purchased them.

Cheers,
Jill

I'll second that. A friend of mine had one of the those and it was easily the loudest flat-top I've ever heard. Good tone, too. Fit and finish were great also. It's a unique flat-top design in that it has a raised fretboard.

Agreed here as well. I owned Arches Flat-top #13 for a while, spruce over rosewood, and it was one of the nicest flat-tops I've ever played. (Definite case of sellers remorse after getting rid of that one.

)

If the one in the classifieds is no longer available, you might want to take a look at the new Arches FT-Oval, as it is a very nice looking instrument, great performer, and excellent value. (I'm not sure if his $850 introductory special is still running, but it's worth checking out.)

**MandoBaptist** · Aug-11-2009, 11:22pm

Well, that was incredibly helpful. Thanks, everyone.

I play in an Irish band...Chicago pubs etc. I like the MidMo for it's ability to cut through concrete (and bar buzz). But I find for the classic Irish stuff and some crossover into bluegrass, it's too much bang. The tone is so bright that I just cannot manage it. Its action is tight and a bit stiff in the left hand.

I will freely admit that my playing needs work...still.

I played an Eastman F-style that was mellow and sweet. I enjoyed that. I am looking for that great second instrument...that step up. Does this make any sense? I am working very hard when I play this MidMo M-1.

Peace,

Tripp

**allenhopkins** · Aug-11-2009, 11:33pm

You can reduce the stiffness of the action with a] lighter gauge strings, b] lowered bridge and/or nut, c] possible truss rod adjustment. A good instrument repair shop can inspect it and give you some suggestions. The Mid-Mo neck may be too beefy for you, or perhaps a radiused fingerboard would fit your hand better.

A round-hole mandolin with "too much bang" for bluegrass? Must be a first!

**MandoBaptist** · Aug-11-2009, 11:38pm

Originally Posted by allenhopkins

A round-hole mandolin with "too much bang" for bluegrass? Must be a first!

As I said, it may be "user error." I'll see what I can do to get it reset somehow. I play with light strings...

Thanks, all. Keep on sharing your thoughts. I really appreciate it.

T.

**Tim2723** · Aug-11-2009, 11:52pm

Hi again Tripp,

I have to admit this wasn't the senario I expected either. ITM session guys are almost always looking for something loud and powerful to compete with banjos and free-reeds. Too bright wasn't what I expected to hear you say.

You might want to try a slightly heavier pick as well as the changes that Allen suggested. That may mellow the tone for you, and it's cheap to try.

If you're looking for a second instrument - as opposed to selling your current one - you may have answered your own question. If the Eastman was good for you, that might be your best bet. They are very good mandolins for the money and get top marks for quality.

**MandoBaptist** · Aug-12-2009, 12:07am

Thanks, Tim. I'm also looking at an MK A style with the oval hole. Tobacco finish...very "old time" in its flair. I'll keep poking around and, of course, playing instruments. I'm looking for something in the 500-800 range.

Again, thanks to all.

**Tim2723** · Aug-12-2009, 12:18am

Well, an A style oval-hole would be a good crossover from the Mid-Mo. They have a good Celtic tone, a nice Old Time tone, and even some of the big name BG players have done great stuff with them.

I'm a big fan of the Michael Kellys, but more so for their acoustic-electrics as specialty tools. As much as I like them, I'll say that I hope you can play before you buy, as their 'Bluegrass' tone isn't that much, IMO. But for a lot of other styles they're very good for the money.

**catmandu2** · Aug-12-2009, 12:40am

Originally Posted by MandoBaptist

Its action is tight and a bit stiff in the left hand.

Yeah, I concur that the two I had -- M-0 and M-1 -- were not "fast" necks. They're a little too small for me as well. I'm thinking they don't have adjustable truss rods to fine tweak relief. So as Allen says, work with the bridge and nut to adjust action.

Installing flatwound strings will reduce brightness. Maybe try a set of those before changing instruments altogether.

**acousticphd** · Aug-12-2009, 10:45am

MB,
What about the Howard Morris f-hole A style listed in the classifieds for $650 ? That would be an excellent deal on a handmade A-style. Somewhere recently, he also had a 2-point oval hole mando for sale for ~$850. I think it was here, then he moved it to ebay.

**CES** · Aug-12-2009, 11:07am

One of the nicer F-holed but A-style mandos out there today is the Kentucky 505...consistently good reviews. One player recently stated that it was 75% of his preferred Collings MT tone for 25% of the cost. It may be too focused or bluegrassy for you, though. Breedlove also makes some fine mandos, and you can often find Quartz OO or OF models in the classifieds in your range. Rarely can find a K-0 or K-F in that range, but you've gotta be more patient, and their nuts are a little wider so if possible check one out before you buy...

Agree that TC would be a lateral or downward movement (depending on the individual mandos). Also agree that I'd try to get it set up. Sometimes you just can't get them right without a neck reset, but I doubt that would be the case with your Mid Mo--they're generally very well made...

**Steve L** · Aug-12-2009, 11:29am

I've heard a couple of players turn up at Irish sessions with those Kentucky mandolins and always found them surprisingly good.

**Tim2723** · Aug-12-2009, 11:41am

Agreed. I know a number of sessun players who use the Kentuckys to great advantage, and they also get high marks from the Bluegrass players as good instruments in their price range. Probably a better choice than an MK acoustic, IMO.

**Jim MacDaniel** · Aug-12-2009, 2:08pm

Two frequently recommended Kentucky A-styles here in the forums as of late includes the f-hole KM-505, which is at the bottom end of your price range, and the oval-hole KM-171/172/174 models, which is one of the great values on the market right now for less than $300.

NB, if you end up looking at another flat-top, your price range could include a new Vagabond from Gypsy's Music or a custom-built Redline Traveler, both of which enjoy a nice following here in the MC forums.

**mandroid** · Aug-12-2009, 2:45pm

Any one in your band already holding the Irish tuned Tenor banjo part down?
I like to try doubling my Galwegian friend when he is playing the ITB
with my 4 string mandolin banjo . It's a Cutter...

**MandoBaptist** · Aug-13-2009, 12:13am

Mandroid,

No one doubling yet. I play a tenor banjo...Irish tuned, Orpheum 1. It's a dream to play. I don't know that I'll ever part with it. I have a Stan Pope Road to the Isles bouzouki as well. Great fun. Sometimes I think I about upgrading the bouzouki, but not seriously. I would want to really step it up there. The mando is the next project.