Hutchins, etc

Cliff D · 11-01-2009, 05:32 PM

Hi

Well I have been away for a while, but thought I would share a few things that may be of interest.

Macari's of London have what appears to be an electric 8 mandola (see last pic) it has the Hutchins name on it, which I have seen on Aldens, grossly impractical multi necks (2nd pic), & fret-less teles (pic 3). I have to put my hand up to buying the fretless tele, partly out of curiosity, & because as I ever, I live for challenges.

Please also note first photo, one of the two "maestro Alex" e mandos which I commented on over a year ago & which Martin Stillion identified - taken through glass, so not as much detail or clarity as I would like.

Daniel Nestlerode · 11-03-2009, 11:27 PM

That Hutchins 6 neck is worthy of Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick

Daniel

Vanner098 · 11-04-2009, 01:07 AM

that is one truly epic axe...

Daniel Nestlerode · 11-04-2009, 02:55 PM

I wonder if it comes with a case... and a forklift.

Daniel

taboot · 11-04-2009, 03:10 PM

Cliff, I don't suppose you played that mandola? I'm curious how it sounds, seems like it might be good for the Byrds-y jangle sound.

Christian

Cliff D · 11-07-2009, 07:12 AM

I had a quick look at it, but did not play it. The asking price seemed a little high for what it was, & I already have my Alden (ok - I know it is not classiest e mando on the block). Macari's now have two shops & I was initially quoted £299 for the fret-less tele in the Denmark St shop. I was given this "tale" about how the owner of Macari's ran into Mr Hutchins at a gig in Brighton, & Mr Hutchins happened to have all these slightly (how may I put it?) uncommon instruments that he was handcrafting, but no way of selling them. "What good fortune" cried the owner of Macari's "It just so happens I have a couple of little music shops in London".

Anyways, I was somewhat wary of purchasing a "Hutchins" but after beating them down to £199, finding the least shop soiled of the three they had in stock (I don't know music shops allow punters to knock chunks out of instruments!) I took the plunge. I have had to do some minor work to it, but it does seem reasonably well made & it is causing something of a storm amongst my musician friends.

Sorry, I know this does not particularly help with the mandola: go see it & let me have your thoughts on it!

Daniel Nestlerode · 11-07-2009, 12:00 PM

What's the tone like?
What are you using for strings? I'm thinking flatwounds. You probably don't want regular guitar strings to dig into the fingerboard. They'll cause damage over time and won't make smooth contact with the fingerboard.

Daniel

Cliff D · 11-07-2009, 01:15 PM

Tone is rather bright, as one would expect. It is strung as sold with slinkys: I will put some heavier strings on in due course. I have had a Yamaha fret-less bass for some years that I put round wounds on out of choice for the brighter tone: I play flat wounds on my upright bass & my Epihone Sheraton. Whilst round wounds do cause a little marking to the neck it is no big deal, & fret-less kits needs to be played in a lot more to give the finger board a polished & smooth feel. Only fingers & strings pressing against the board over time seem to do the job, & I am in no great hurry to try some flat wounds on it, but I may at some point.

11-01-2009, 05:32 PM	#1
Cliff D Recipient of medication Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: London, UK Posts: 132	Hutchins, etc Hi Well I have been away for a while, but thought I would share a few things that may be of interest. Macari's of London have what appears to be an electric 8 mandola (see last pic) it has the Hutchins name on it, which I have seen on Aldens, grossly impractical multi necks (2nd pic), & fret-less teles (pic 3). I have to put my hand up to buying the fretless tele, partly out of curiosity, & because as I ever, I live for challenges. Please also note first photo, one of the two "maestro Alex" e mandos which I commented on over a year ago & which Martin Stillion identified - taken through glass, so not as much detail or clarity as I would like. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Sorry madam, but we are fresh out of bull-dogs today!

11-03-2009, 11:27 PM	#2
Daniel Nestlerode Katharsh it Pennsyltucky! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Central California Posts: 1,251 Blog Entries: 54	Re: Hutchins, etc That Hutchins 6 neck is worthy of Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick Daniel __________________ The Fifth Course, my mando-blog Mandos of the San Joaquin, a group for those of us in central California ***** \| Epiphone Mando(la)bird \| Fender mandocaster \| Gary Vessel F5 \| Weber Alder #2 mandola \|

11-04-2009, 01:07 AM	#3
Vanner098 the Mando Hack Milne Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: In the Van Posts: 156	Re: Hutchins, etc that is one truly epic axe...

11-04-2009, 02:55 PM	#4
Daniel Nestlerode Katharsh it Pennsyltucky! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Central California Posts: 1,251 Blog Entries: 54	Re: Hutchins, etc I wonder if it comes with a case... and a forklift. Daniel __________________ The Fifth Course, my mando-blog Mandos of the San Joaquin, a group for those of us in central California ***** \| Epiphone Mando(la)bird \| Fender mandocaster \| Gary Vessel F5 \| Weber Alder #2 mandola \|

11-04-2009, 03:10 PM	#5
taboot Is there a "talent" knob? Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 522	Re: Hutchins, etc Cliff, I don't suppose you played that mandola? I'm curious how it sounds, seems like it might be good for the Byrds-y jangle sound. Christian __________________ Electric: 197X Dolan V \| 2002 Ryder EM-44 Acoustic: 1999 Breedlove Columbia \| 1996 Flatiron Mandola Volume: Laney LC15R \| Fender HRD \| Roland AC60 \| Pro DI Effects: Lots

11-07-2009, 07:12 AM	#6
Cliff D Recipient of medication Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: London, UK Posts: 132	Re: Hutchins, etc I had a quick look at it, but did not play it. The asking price seemed a little high for what it was, & I already have my Alden (ok - I know it is not classiest e mando on the block). Macari's now have two shops & I was initially quoted £299 for the fret-less tele in the Denmark St shop. I was given this "tale" about how the owner of Macari's ran into Mr Hutchins at a gig in Brighton, & Mr Hutchins happened to have all these slightly (how may I put it?) uncommon instruments that he was handcrafting, but no way of selling them. "What good fortune" cried the owner of Macari's "It just so happens I have a couple of little music shops in London". Anyways, I was somewhat wary of purchasing a "Hutchins" but after beating them down to £199, finding the least shop soiled of the three they had in stock (I don't know music shops allow punters to knock chunks out of instruments!) I took the plunge. I have had to do some minor work to it, but it does seem reasonably well made & it is causing something of a storm amongst my musician friends. Sorry, I know this does not particularly help with the mandola: go see it & let me have your thoughts on it! Attached Thumbnails __________________ Sorry madam, but we are fresh out of bull-dogs today!

11-07-2009, 12:00 PM	#7
Daniel Nestlerode Katharsh it Pennsyltucky! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Central California Posts: 1,251 Blog Entries: 54	Re: Hutchins, etc What's the tone like? What are you using for strings? I'm thinking flatwounds. You probably don't want regular guitar strings to dig into the fingerboard. They'll cause damage over time and won't make smooth contact with the fingerboard. Daniel __________________ The Fifth Course, my mando-blog Mandos of the San Joaquin, a group for those of us in central California ***** \| Epiphone Mando(la)bird \| Fender mandocaster \| Gary Vessel F5 \| Weber Alder #2 mandola \|

11-07-2009, 01:15 PM	#8
Cliff D Recipient of medication Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: London, UK Posts: 132	Re: Hutchins, etc Tone is rather bright, as one would expect. It is strung as sold with slinkys: I will put some heavier strings on in due course. I have had a Yamaha fret-less bass for some years that I put round wounds on out of choice for the brighter tone: I play flat wounds on my upright bass & my Epihone Sheraton. Whilst round wounds do cause a little marking to the neck it is no big deal, & fret-less kits needs to be played in a lot more to give the finger board a polished & smooth feel. Only fingers & strings pressing against the board over time seem to do the job, & I am in no great hurry to try some flat wounds on it, but I may at some point. __________________ Sorry madam, but we are fresh out of bull-dogs today!