Looking for a Celtic/Gaelic mandolin

[highway1]

Hey, I'm looking for a mandolin. I play mostly Celtic, gealic and Scottish music, also I like the oval sound hole look but don't know if it's the right sound. I want to keep it under $400. I would be greatful for any info or tips, thanks.

[NAS]

There is no "right" mandolin for ITM /Scottish / etc (sorry just cant bring myself to type "C**tic Music"!) its down to having the sound you want. It's not like Bluegrass where there is an accepted "sound". Generally onion shaped flat back / front mandos with oval holes ae the norm (at least in Ireland and the UK) but I have seen allsorts including 'F' styles being used. My present favorite session mando is my Redline Traveler AN style but hese are a bit over you budget, my fall back is an F hole, A style Saga Kit I put together.

So just find something you like and can afford (and is properly set up by someone who knows how to do it correctly) and go for it.

[Dave Hanson]

You can play any kind of music on any kind of mandolin, I suspect you want something like a Fylde, flat top and round sound hole.

Dave H

[Steve L]

Where do you live? If you're in the US I'd recommend a used Mid Missouri/Big Muddy flat top or a Kentucky 170 series oval hole arched top. You can in fact play that music on anything but I prefer oval hole flat tops myself.

[Jimdalf]

I like the oval sound hole look but don't know if it's the right sound.

The sound you enjoy is always the right sound!

[JEStanek]

I agree with what the others have said. You could look for a used Big Muddy or Mid Missouri mandolin in differing woods. They really are stellar instruments and will fit the bill nicely. You could also look at old Martin mandolins that sometimes come in that price range. I love my cant topped flat backed mandolin.

Jamie

[Tim2723]

Hello and welcome!

As the others have said, you can play any music on any mandolin and today you'll find all manner of instruments in Scottish and Irish sessions. That said, there is somewhat of a 'tradition' to use flat-top, round-hole mandolins. Not so much because players specifically wanted that tone, but because those mandolins were more available to them when the mandolin first came to popularity in that genre about 40 or so years ago. The pioneering mandolinists of that time often used classical bowl-back mandolins as well for the same reasons. As modern sessions become louder and pubs more crowded, many have opted for arch-top instruments to get more competitive volume.

In addition to the suggestions so far, I'll add the Trinity College and Celtic Star instruments to the list. Both are very popular and can be good values.

[John Flynn]

I have SEEN many mandolins played in sessions, but rarely HEARD one. Mandolins get drowned out in most sessions I've been to. If I were still playing big sessions I'd go for the loudest instrument I could get my hands on. The best sounding mandolin I ever heard in a big session was a National Model 1 resonator mandolin with TI strings on it. On paper, it might seem like a bad choice, but in practice, it blended perfectly into the overall sound. That is out of the OP's price range, but Recording King makes a resonator that I see online for $345.

If you're playing with small groups or just solo, I will +1 on the flat-top ovals, a Trinity or Mid-mo. That is a great sound for Celtic music.

[Tim2723]

I have SEEN many mandolins played in sessions, but rarely HEARD one.

That's the truth John. Getting loud is harder and harder. Eventually session players may allow a small amp for the mandolin, but not today.

[highway1]

Thank you all for your input, you've put me the right direction for sure!

[highway1]

I do have a huge problem, no store around me has more than one mandolin in it. How do I know if I want to buy it if I can't play it?

[JEStanek]

Sadly, all you have is a leap of faith and to be able to buy and return and olny be out shipping costs both ways.

Jamie

[mandroid]

I have SEEN many mandolins played in sessions, but rarely HEARD one.

I bring my melody banjo.. a 4 string mandolin scale instrument .. significantly louder..
I get to double with the ITB, similar technique, but an octave Up.

though the Vega .. mandolin-banjo is nice too.. 8 strings

perhaps if there is no tenor banjo in the session that can be your contribution..
octave down, a different voice than the fiddlers and pipers, all in the treble ..

[highway1]

Does anyone know a good place to buy a used mandolin

[houseworker]

Does anyone know a good place to buy a used mandolin

Where are you?

[Tim2723]

Yes, your basic location is key, but many a fine bargain can be had right here in the Cafe Classified section. Often shipping and related costs can be a trouble.

[Avi Ziv]

I've played mandolin in Irish traditional sessions for years. I play an f-hole Flatiron carved mandolin and no one has ever complained that my sound is not "right". How you play the instrument is more important, in my opinion, than the shape of the sound holes. They all have different characteristics and are all good for different types of tunes, if you want to get creative, given that anyone can hear you or that you can hear yourself...The volume issue is real but I've learned to deal with it over the years as well. People with whom I've played for a long time, eventually learned to give me some "space" in the sense that they might quiet down some, or let me play once through a tune that I start before jumping in. Sometimes I choose to start a set with a tune that is not overly familiar - this way I get to claim some space and then move into a common tune where others can join in. Yet, in another session the leader practically demanded that I get amplified even though I objected. I know - rather unusual. Sometimes it's nice to blend in to the overall sound. But other times I can feel that I'm pushing my volume to the point of damaging my sound or technique. But I always have my tenor banjo with me for those special sessions with 4 boxes

Having said all of that - I just looked back and the OP did not specifically mention sessions. Maybe it's for recording or playing alone or performing. But I agree with the above comments for the most part.

[highway1]

I'm in south eastern pa.

[Avi Ziv]

I'm in south eastern pa.

You may want to check out Bucks County Folk Music shop in New Britain. They have a reasonable selection of mandolins to try out in the store. Some new and sometimes used ones as well.

[JEStanek]

They (Bucks County Folk Music) have Big Muddy / Mid Missouri mandolins there. There are also some imports and a few small builder ones. They cover a wide range. If it were me, I would go to try the Big Muddy mandolins mainly. The different woods really do change the sound.

Jamie

[JeffD]

Does anyone know a good place to buy a used mandolin

Check out the classifieds here at the cafe. You can in most cases call up the seller and get alots of info. Its not as good as trying it out, but its real good.

[steve V. johnson]

This reminds me of a story about an old Irish fiddler visiting New York City. After a bit of a tour about town and a few pints along the way the fiddler asked where they might find some fiddles to play, so his friend took him to the the music shops on 48th St. They went in and found a good number of fiddles on the wall behind the counter. A fellow came to help them and the Irishman, pointing, asked, 'Might I play that fiddle, right there?' 'Yes, you may, sir, but you should know that that's a fine violin.' 'Ahh, I'm sure it is,' said the fiddler, 'Just give me five minutes with it and I'll make a proper fiddle of it.'

[Avi Ziv]

Steve - "it's a fiddle when you buy it but a violin when you sell it"