Are there any other Tacoma owners?

**Scott Cressey** · Feb-01-2005, 3:57am

I was wondering if anyone else here owns a Tacoma Mandolin. I have had my Tacoma M3 for about a month. I upgraded from a Rogue.

Regards, Scotty

**Rroyd** · Feb-01-2005, 8:48am

Well, there was one, but I see in the Wintergrass #thread in general discussions that he has permanently signed off. #(I'm sure there are others, however.) #

**Lee** · Feb-01-2005, 11:37am

Yes, there are other people who own or have owned Tacomas. #
Are you fishing for opinions? #If so, post yours first. We just love to comment on other people's opinions around here. #

**Scott Cressey** · Feb-01-2005, 12:00pm

Lee, I am just looking for input from other owners regarding what type of strings they prefer, setup tips, etc.

Regards,Scotty

**b.pat** · Feb-01-2005, 12:24pm

Scott,
#I owned a M3 for a while. Set up with TI Starks, it played like a dream. #Not a lot of volume, but a nice earthy tone. But alast, you can't keep them all. #
# # # # # # # B.Pat

**cutbait2** · Feb-02-2005, 9:22am

i had one also, played great, stayed in tune, excellent construction, materials, i used J74's, i bought it from a jazz musician. no complaints.

**Tim Saxton** · Feb-02-2005, 10:08am

I had one also. The factory set up was fine. Used Elixers and it had a real nice tone. They really did make a nice flat top. It was a ton of value for the money. I thought the frets were a little too oversized however. It's just a shame they never brought out that carved top mando.

Tim

**Lee** · Feb-02-2005, 10:23am

I liked the brightness of the J74's on the one I had.

**Undercover Brother** · Feb-02-2005, 10:38am

I bought an M-1 back in 2002 in order to see if my hunch that I'd like the mandolin was correct. The price was right, and I really liked the sound when compared to the other mandolins on hand at the 2 stores I checked in Atlanta. I don't play it as much now because I wound up getting a custom built BRW this summer, but I will definately keep it for camp-outs and roadtrips. The Elixer strings were fine, but wound up putting J74's on and have stuck with those. The set-up was whatever "Maple Street Guitars" did to it.

**Scott Cressey** · Feb-02-2005, 11:51am

I'm not sure what the strings are on mine now. They came on it when I bought it used. I have a brand new set of J-74's to put on it, they should brighten it up. Compared to my Rogue it stays in tune like a dream, I never have to touch it. The action is also very nice. The only other Mando I've ever had is the Rogue, so I dont have much to compare it to, but when I was comparing bang for the buck, it was hard to pass up. Thanks for the string suggestions.

Regards, Scotty

**Tim Saxton** · Feb-02-2005, 12:30pm

Scott,

play it and enjoy it. Don't let the brand snobs put you off. If it feels good and plays well great. Also if you like it thats even better.

Enjoy it!

Tim Saxton

**Scott Cressey** · Feb-02-2005, 4:10pm

Tim, I wish they would have gone ahead with the plans of the carved top mando also, but I guess since Fender has acquired them that plan is probaly gone.

Scotty

**ahollan** · Feb-02-2005, 4:47pm

M-1 owner. I have experimented with various strings and now keep light ones on it, like the Martin 80/20s, but play it with a 2mm pick.

I have played mine to the point that the black lacquer finish on the tailpiece is starting to wear through where the button on my cuff contacts the tailpiece. Can anyone recommend a replacement tailpiece with a hole pattern that is identical?

Albert

**Richard Polf** · Feb-03-2005, 12:37am

Scotty,

Ditto everthing Tim Saxton said. You've got a fine instrument there --- just play the heck out of it and enjoy yourself!

All the best, Richard

**Spruce** · Feb-03-2005, 12:15pm

Hello Mr. Polf....
I thought you were gone....
At least that's what you said...

So, after this thoughtful discussion on Tacoma mandolins, one complely devoid of the attitude that you stated is rampant here, namely "that if you don't have a Loar, Gilchrist, Nugget, etc. as the price of admission you're not welcome here", do you still think you can stand behind your previous statement about this message board???

Here tis, in all it's glory:

"I can honestly say that I've never met a more mean-spirited, arrogant and narrow-minded bunch of musicians. " #Richard Polf

Personally, I think you owe us all an apology...
Because I have never met a more kind, supportive, and open-minded bunch of musicians...

Sorry to hijack this thread, but I just had to get that off my chest...

**Billiam** · Feb-03-2005, 1:51pm

Originally Posted by (ahollan @ Feb. 02 2005, 17:47)

M-1 owner. #I have experimented with various strings and now keep light ones on it, like the Martin 80/20s, but play it with a 2mm pick.

I have played mine to the point that the black lacquer finish on the tailpiece is starting to wear through where the button on my cuff contacts the tailpiece. #Can anyone recommend a replacement tailpiece with a hole pattern that is identical?

Albert

Were it mine, I'd think about having the original tailpiece powder coated black. That should hold up.

**Tim Saxton** · Feb-03-2005, 6:09pm

I'm glad Richard is still around. Pick that Tacoma like there is no tommorow buddy.

Tim

**tiltman** · Feb-03-2005, 7:26pm

I too was surprised to see Mr. Polf weigh in here...
Takes some big cajones to come back after such a dramatic exit...
Welcome back.

Kirk
Player of non-elite mandos
Not mean-spirited or arrogant

**mad dawg** · Feb-03-2005, 7:48pm

Yow -- I'm adding this thread to my watch list for a few days.

**Richard Polf** · Feb-04-2005, 5:43am

Spruce is right, I do owe an apology to the community. Here it is: I over-reacted and I'm sorry. I should not have generalized about the members of this community. No excuses, just bad judgement on my part, and a bad temper. Like a lot of artistic people I wear my emotions a little too close to the surface (thin-skinned and all that). And, yes, I can eat crow if I have to, it's not the first time

#

Despite my dramatic, and short-lived, exit, I responded to this thread because I simply wanted to encourage Mr. Cressey to feel good about his new instrument. I just wish that folks could be a little kinder when talking about others instruments. Music is hard enough as it is. Anyway, Tacoma mandolins are no more, except for the M1, so it's all a moot point.

Best to all, Richard

**Flowerpot** · Feb-04-2005, 11:59am

Welcome back to the board, Richard. I hope you stay and enjoy the company.

**tiltman** · Feb-04-2005, 12:51pm

Mr. Polf,
Well said.
Again, welcome back.
I won't say anything about your mandolin if you don't say anything about my playing!

Kirk

**Spruce** · Feb-04-2005, 1:02pm

Hey, thanks for that Richard....

"I just wish that folks could be a little kinder when talking about others instruments."

That's good advice...
Mando folks, for some reason, really defend their turf.
It's a weird instrument in that regard...

"Anyway, Tacoma mandolins are no more, except for the M1, so it's all a moot point."

Really?
I didn't know that.

**Scott Cressey** · Feb-04-2005, 1:43pm

From a fellow Tacoma M3 owner, welcome back Richard. Spruce, since Fender acquired Tacoma they only have the M1E listed on their website. Same design, but mahogany back instead of maple, different tuners, and electric.

Regards, Scotty

**slewis** · Mar-09-2005, 9:23am

I bought a Tacoma M1E two years ago (my first mando after playing guitar forever) and have really enjoyed it. I just joined this forum too as I was looking for info from other Tacoma owners. I know mine's the lower end of their line but it's been great and I haven't had a single problem with it. Is it a reasonably repected brand? Any consistent gripes or praises about their product?

Thanks!