Epiphone

**Pipeous** · Nov-19-2011, 7:21am

Hey guys
I went to my local music store and bought a cheap mando to start out. It plays ok but leaves me wanting something better. I have done some tinkering to the bridge and it plays better than when I got it but could really use a pro setup. I contacted a few local luthiers but the soonest anyone can do anything is next month.
http://www.long-mcquade.com/products...e_Sunburst.htm

Now before anyone says just buy a Kentucky, Loar, Eastmen... I am buying a Loar 600 from folk musician. (I'll ask more on that in a moment)

I saw this mandolin at the store and played it for a couple seconds and it felt really good in the hands. It was a store model and had been played a bit, strings were used and the tech was going to see why the pickup wasn't giving sound... still I could trade my crap one in, I have a charge account with these guys and I'd get a deal of some sort. so what are the opininions on this one. might be good for jamming and gigging. I might even just ship it off to folk musician to get setup.
http://www.long-mcquade.com/products...c_Mandolin.htm

The Loar I am ordering is this black one. my acoustic, electric and bass are all black fenders. I like black (so is my motorcycle hehe). anyway, I was wondering also before I ordered the benefit of changing the tail piece would be before I get it shipped up.
http://www.folkmusician.com/The-Loar...fo/LM-600-BCA/

**Malcolm G.** · Nov-19-2011, 7:55am

Pipeous,

I'm not qualified to comment on the first two, but the comments I've seen on the 600 have to do with a CA bridge upgrade. Haven't seen anything about tailpiece issues.

**EdHanrahan** · Nov-19-2011, 9:04am

Originally Posted by Pipeous

... I could trade my crap one in ...

We all need a crap one around, just for those crap conditions where a mandolin is still needed. Think rain, heat, snow, camping, kids' birthday cake, etc. Trading for an Epiphone, not so much.

Changing the tailpiece might have some effect on sound or might not, regardless of how sexy it looks. Oh, I have been tempted!

"CA" = Cumberland Acoustics. Most agree that the CA bridge upgrade is a definite plus. And hey, ebony is black!

**Tim2723** · Nov-19-2011, 11:44am

Not to sound pretentious, but my experience with contemporary Epiphones is that they are something we trade up from.

**mandobassman** · Nov-19-2011, 9:13pm

I think the upgrade to the CA bridge is a sound one (no pun intended). I wouldn't be so concerned about the tailpiece. I, personally, don't like Gibson-style 2-piece designs, but I wouldn't change it unless you have a problem with it. There are lots of opinions on this, but I have changed the tailpiece on 2 different mandolins with no benefit in tone. I changed them only because I had problems with the old ones.

As far as the Epiphone is concerned, are you planning to get both the Epiphone and The Loar? I'm thinking once you get the Loar, you may not want to play the Epi. The Loar will probably be that much better.

**Pipeous** · Nov-19-2011, 9:23pm

well at my local shop, that epi was the best mando they had (and the same model without electronics). so it's all I had to go on for playability. it plays and sounds better than my epi. I was thinking both... but if it's going to be that big of a difference I'll just wait.

I smacked up my car and have to pay my own repairs but I think they can wait a month. no sense fixing my bumper going tinot winter anyway... (I am ordering a custom bumper and grill so it'll need paint too, have to save up a bit hehe). ya great reasoning I'll buy a mandolin because I can't afford the bumper and need to save up... works for me

Thanks for the replies gang. I'll just wait. 2 more days and the credit card is paid off so I can order the Loar. I was recording an original piece today. it's a finger picked drop d tuning and I decided to see what mando sounds like. dam I love mandolin now. I love acoustic guitar and the mando just goes so well with it. mine plays decent now but still sounds like a tin can

**Tim2723** · Nov-20-2011, 10:51am

I think you're making the right choices for the right reasons. Best of luck with all of it!

Oh, and being a NJ driver, any dent that happens in the Fall waits until Spring. That way I can fix them all at once! LOL.

**Pipeous** · Nov-20-2011, 1:30pm

We almost never get snow but the last few years has been crazy here. it's allready snowed once this year so I expect a lot of snow. I left the mountains to get away from that crap. I can't imagine living in New Jersey tbh. At least the drivers there know how to drive in snow. When it snows here people are asking what this white stuff is.

**EdHanrahan** · Nov-20-2011, 6:19pm

Originally Posted by Pipeous

... great reasoning I'll buy a mandolin because I can't afford the bumper ...

Great to see that the MAS virus is in little danger of extinction!

**Pipeous** · Nov-20-2011, 6:26pm

hey you know you are an addict when they do a credit search and your music store is the largest part of your credit history lol

sorry though I don't understand all this forum's acronyms yet... what's MAS? (I worked on MAS software in an alarm monitoring place hehe)

you guys need a newbie sticky with all the acronyms and nick names. I read some posts and might as well be arabic

**mandobassman** · Nov-20-2011, 7:44pm

MAS — Mandolin Acquisition Syndrome!

**Pipeous** · Nov-20-2011, 7:48pm

lmao, now that's some funny sh*t.

**Pipeous** · Nov-24-2011, 3:04pm

OK, MAS got me. I followed an ebay link from here yesterday and got to looking around and found these Maestro Mandolins. F style, spruce and maple etc. I wrote the seller, a music store, and the setup is complete, nut, bridge etc... I decided to toss a bid down and went to work. well hell my bid won.

for $230 US shipped with case I had to gamble. at worst I have something to tinker with

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/180760434298?...84.m1423.l2649