Anyone know much about Paris Swing Samois Mandolins?

[SpencerMando]

I just found one used that isn't too far out. It looks really nice and the price is even nicer. I saw that the thing was listed as 700$ new, I'll be able to get it used for 300€. Looks to be solid everything. I'm pretty much only interested in playing classical music (perhaps with a hint of bluegrass here and there). Would this mandolin be good for me?

Thanks for everything, here is the link to the thing on robert fear's website if you're interested: http://www.folkmusician.com/Paris-Swing-Samois-Mandolin-Sunburst/productinfo/MS%2D130%2DVS/

[Caleb]

My son has one of those in the natural finish. The top is caved in pretty bad which I think might be common with this model/design. It still plays ok but doesn't have much volume. It has a nice tubby sound that sounds great when chords are being played but it goes pretty thin on lead notes. These had/have a cool vibe to them but I think your money could be better spent elsewhere.

[SpencerMando]

The top is caved in pretty bad

What does that mean? Also thanks for the help

[Jim Garber]

I never played one but I hate how they look with that big gaping soundhole. I think for classical you would do much better with a simple flattop mandolin like Big Muddy. I don't know if they are available in Europe.

[PJ Doland]

They had a cool vibe but I've heard bad things about the structural stability of the grande bouche (D-hole) models.

[Spruce]

They had a cool vibe but I've heard bad things about the structural stability of the grande bouche (D-hole) models.

I saw one the other day that was totalled....
Complete structural failure, with the whole body wanting to fold up the tent....
I wouldn't touch one of these with a 10-inch Blue Chip...

[Caleb]

What does that mean? Also thanks for the help

The top is bent downward, though evenly, all around the side of the sound hole. It is still possible to keep the bridge upright but barely. I got it here in the Classifieds for something like $250 and when I called him on the damage the seller simply said, "It was that way when I got it." It wasn't worth going after the money and my son likes it, so life went on. I'll try to post a pic later when I'm home.

[SpencerMando]

Alright, by the sound of it this is a truly terrible idea. Thanks all, I appreciate the help. I'm glad I didn't fall into that trap.

[Folkmusician.com]

That particular model did have issues with the top buckling. Luckily I didn't sell many and the maker offered a better mandolin for the warranty replacements. :)

[Spruce]

That particular model did have issues with the top buckling....

The whole thing wanted to buckle on the one I saw...
Not enough structural integrity with that large hole...

[AlanN]

Reminded me of a large-mouth bass.

[Mandobart]

Trying to capture some of the Sel-Mac grande bouche (https://www.google.com/search?q=selmer+maccaferri+grande+bouche+model&espv=210&es_sm=122&tbm=isch&imgil=gGsQXasG4HvaSM%253A%253Bhttps%253A%252F%252F encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com%252Fimages%253Fq%253Dtbn%253AANd9 GcTmau9NlYpIXnq4IFspSJiIhst2QBnP1Qza3N4LuCIX9b9etN qx%253B271%253B561%253BLqCji4jtvh-62M%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.djangolizer.c h%25252Ftherighttools_en.html&source=iu&usg=__xg7FoAOCJ4Zbdx34kyxS8XKhi7g%3D&sa=X&ei=W93rUuitOcfaoATEhoHoDg&ved=0CDIQ9QEwAw&biw=1600&bih=767#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=gGsQXasG4HvaSM%253A%3BLqCji4jtvh-62M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.djangolizer.ch%252Fj-castelluccia-jazz-manouche-django-castel-grand-bouche.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.djangolizer.ch %252Ftherighttools_en.html%3B271%3B561) vibe. Works on a guitar, not so well on a mando. A good F4 or F4 hybrid gives a great Gypsy Jazz sound.

[Caleb]

I'm not bashing Paris Swing: I think they made some cool stuff and took the road less traveled. But this particular design just had some issues. I'd like to see them revamp the line with all the QC stuff improved.

[pheffernan]

Reading through your inquiries about Ortega, Hofner, and now Paris Swing mandolins, I am reminded of the Samuel Beckett novel Dream of Fair to Middling Women. ;) If I were in Europe and wanted to play classical music on a budget, I'd be looking for a bowlback like Rene had here http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/72898 and tempted by the Vernon he has here http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/72593. Were I instead looking for a more multipurpose instrument for similar money, I'd consider a well setup import like the Kentucky http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/72567 or this Loar http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/71605. And if my budget allowed, I'd look at the Poe http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/72897 and Rigel http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/71708 as well.

[Mandolincelli]

I had one. It was very pretty and it had the look I really wanted in a mandolin, but, alas, it was just too quiet. I sold it to a friend who sold it to another friend. Don't know where it is now, but the biggest issue I had with it was lack of volume.

[SpencerMando]

Thanks for all of this. I really appreciate everything so much. I feel embarrassed about my posting history, I am quite obviously **extremely** lost. I'm terrified of buying an instrument that I have never played before over the web, are the classifieds here legit? I wasn't aware of the bowl backs, I'll have a look at ones in my local area. I learned Bachs prelude to his first cello suite on my gretsch that I sent back, I loved playing that so I figured more stuff like that would suite me.

THanks again

[Steve Ostrander]

Wow, you could drive a truck through that soundhole.

[Spruce]

....are the classifieds here legit?

For the most part, "yes"...
YMMV, but I've had nothing but great experiences....

[Mandobart]

Spencer - Don't be embarrassed. Everyone here started at the beginning. I bought my first mandolin before I knew about this site, so I was truly lost. There are many excellent prior posts that others started on the basic "what mandolin should I get given my budget and musical preference" thread that will turn up with a little searching. All the best to you!

[SpencerMando]

This community is really awesome. Mandolinists seem to be a lot less hostile than the guitarists that I am used to being around :) I keep going back to the ortega that I enjoyed quite a bit while playing at the store. I don't know much about mandolins, but I know too much about guitars, and to my guitar ears and fingers it sounded and played wonderfully well. However when I log on here its kind of dissuading seeing as people say no to laminate sides etc… I'm just kind of divided: do what the people say or what seems right to me right now. I'm considering using the ortega for about a year or two until I get better (I hope this can be catalysed through my guitar experience), then I plan on selling it and moving to something bigger and better.

[Jim Garber]

Laminates are prob fine for an inexpensive mandolin. If you are on a tight budget you could take the difference and make sure that your mandolin is set up properly. Ideally it is better to at least get a solid top instrument. I would go with your guitar ears, after all it is your ears, not ours. When you get more into mandolin playing, you will prob want to upgrade to a better instrument and will know what you want at that point. It is a journey, but you are well on your way.

[SpencerMando]

This might be completely irrelevant but I just listened to "Tree of life" on your soundcloud. I'm truly lost for words, that was really really beautiful and moving. It sounds cheesy but I'm lost for words. Was the solo voice a mandolin?

[pheffernan]

There's no need for apologies. One of the exciting things about migrating from the guitar to the mandolin, as I have done and you are doing, is all of the new stuff to learn, and the Cafe is a great resource for that learning. As to your dilemma, there is no way that I would buy a laminate Ortega when I could have a solid Kentucky or The Loar for the same money.

[DataNick]

My best instrument that I have taking all factors into consideration is my 99" Flatiron Performer A that I got off the classifieds here a year ago. Granted I've had to put $500 into it (re-fret and truss rod issues, pro set-up) but it was well worth it.

I've also sold an instrument thru the classifieds here; I think you're OK dealing with the Cafe classifieds...IMHO

[SpencerMando]

A local store has a KM630 for 725€. Would that one be good?

[DataNick]

A local store has a KM630 for 725€. Would that one be good?

That model has a rosewood bridge. I would ask the store to swap out that brige for a CA or Brekke, or similar ebony bridge. That will significantly make the sound better. If you play bluegrass, the Kentucky is a solid choice to get going on, and will service you for quite some time.

[Jim Garber]

This might be completely irrelevant but I just listened to "Tree of life" on your soundcloud. I'm truly lost for words, that was really really beautiful and moving. It sounds cheesy but I'm lost for words. Was the solo voice a mandolin?

Thanks a lot!

BTW where are you located -- what country... that might help us figure out what would be good for you to start with. I agree that it would be good to get a name brand solid mandolin , if you can.

[SpencerMando]

I'm in Germany, that's why the ortegas come up so much, they're German and sold everywhere.