Mandolin Advice

[themissal]

Hi all,

I have an Eastman MD304 I bought with a K&K pickup. I play in an acoustic guitar duo, and there are a few simple songs where I started playing mandolin and adding to our sets. I like this Eastman, and I especially like it live.

I would like to "move up" in the mandolin world. I will never be a champion player, but I am really enjoying myself, and am a quick "by ear" learner. I like darker and mellow sounds versus "cut through" and "shrill". If there were a Martin D15 - like mandolin, I'd probably be all over it. By the way, I live in New Jersey.

Also, I just visited London for the first time and I actually played an old Gibson A mandolin and liked it a lot (a 1913 A-1)

https://notomguitars.com/collections/mandolins/products/1913-gibson-a-13


What Mandolin(s) might you recommend to me, new or used? Id definitely like to stay under $2,000... or have a special reason to deviate from that budget. I like the idea of a Mandolin with history (like an old Gibson), and am not a collector, but would rather have an excellent cool-set-up player...

Thanks... Sal

[Zach Wilson]

Have you ever considered a Flat top? I play one in an acoustic duo and think it sounds excellent in that setting.

Just a thought.

[Br1ck]

A used Silverangel would be well under your price criteria, heck even a new one would. Kind of the best of both worlds. Plenty of volume, plenty warm.

[pheffernan]

I like darker and mellow sounds versus "cut through" and "shrill". If there were a Martin D15 - like mandolin, I'd probably be all over it.

I’ve always thought of the Big Muddy M-11 as the D15 of flattops.

http://www.bigmuddymandolin.com/store/m-11-mandolin

An antiqued Silverangel, especially one with a redwood top, would also meet your sensibilities (as Br1ck noted).

Of course, your first hunch — a tubby teens Gibson oval — is always an attractive option, particularly if you have access to and budget for a luthier to perform some potentially necessary repairs.

[Br1ck]

You would be far more likely to find an old Gibson in the UK than a Silverangel. I'm blessed to have both, plus others.

[themissal]

Thanks gents. That BigMuddy looks interesting, and I am going to keep my eyes on Gibson A-Mandolins... scary to buy those without seeing/playing them first...

[ColdBeerGoCubs]

Used Collings MT-O.

[Ron McMillan]

Being in the UK makes it difficult to acquire affordable instruments from overseas without playing Russian roulette with the customs people or the VAT man.

But if it's character you want, there are some fine builders in Britain. One reply above mentioned flat top instruments. Jimmy Moon (http://www.moonguitars.co.uk/index.php/mandolin-family/) in Scotland makes fantastic, professional-quality flat tops that are remarkably inexpensive (well inside your budget). There are also other fine independent luthiers making great mandolins in the UK.

As for old Gibsons, they do have a superb sound and lots of priceless mojo, but since they are so old, they very often come with playability factors that make them less than pleasant to live with. [Cue a loud dissenting chorus of my Gibson's incredibly playable comments.] Yes, they are fun, but very, very few people are content to have them as their only instrument. I own a Gibson A2 and have played a Jimmy Moon. If I was forced to own only one of them, the Moon would win in a heartbeat.

rm

[William Smith]

If you live in New Jersey I'd check out Lark Street Music/vintage instruments! Buzzy is a great guy to deal with and has a fine selection!

[LadysSolo]

If you are in the UK (as I am guessing from you mentioning London,) I would suggest visiting The Acoustic Music Company (NFI) as he seems to have a good number of instruments based on what I have seen in the classifieds here, and no shipping would be required.

[pops1]

I have had my '22 A2 for at least 20 years. For a decade of that it was my only mandolin. Since I have crossed to the ff hole sound for the last decade it doesn't get played much, but I got it out yesterday and it still plays as nice as any mandolin I own. Low action and great sound. Because it is old doesn't mean it can't be a work horse. Places with extreme weather may be more of a problem for them, but then I live in the midwest with humid summers and cold winters and it has come thru with style and dignity, playing as good now as it did when I got it.

[themissal]

Thanks everyone. I live in NJ. I was in London on a visit, where I played the old Gibson.

I will visit Lark in Teaneck, and I also want a Muddy M11! Mandolin Aquisition Syndrome... what I had hoped to avoid.

Anyways, thanks for your generous advice. I am smitten by the instrument.

[pheffernan]

I will visit Lark in Teaneck, and I also want a Muddy M11! Mandolin Aquisition Syndrome... what I had hoped to avoid.

In the realm of MAS, you’re getting off relatively cheap. Keep your eyes on the Classifieds here for a used Mid-Missouri or Big Muddy M11, which usually show up in the ~$500 +/- range.

[desertnight]

You might take a look at a Pava Satin model. All Pava mandolins really hold up in any kind of musical setting. Excellent tone, build quality and they are from the Ellis shop.

[Br1ck]

I assumed you were in th UK. Buying in the US is much easier and cheaper. So I'll go back to my Silverangel recommendation. The redwood top x braced SAs are very warm and woody with the projection of a f holed instrument. A styles in the $1200-1500 range, and f styles from $2500 or so on the used market.

You might like a Weber Gallatin also. But you need to play everything you can.

[allenhopkins]

Before heading to Lark Street, you can check Buzzy's inventory here. (http://www.larkstreetmusic.com/stock.html) Don't see any flat-tops, but several vintage Gibson oval-holes.

[themissal]

I wanted to circle back with a thank you and an update.

After exploring Big Muddys, and talking with it’s owner, and seeing how much we had in common (from Bassets to baseball), I am getting a Muddy.

I liked the sound on many videos I heard, and while it might not do bluegrass chop, I am not really a bluegrass guy. I suppose my Eastman does that some anyways.

Anyway, call it karma... fate... or silliness... a Muddy M11 is coming my way.

Thanks all....

[Jim Garber]

If a mandola it would have a 15 1/2" scale length. Bridges sometime move so measure from nut to 12th fret and halve the scale length which would be 7-3/4".

[themissal]

Thanks again everyone.

My Big Muddy M11 came today, and I'll be putting it through its paces. Construction is great, tone is mellow, and Mike was fantastic to deal with. We are both life-ling Yankees fans, and I feel real good about a nice hand-made instrument made by one man, in the heartland, that has personality in looks and tone. I'd have never heard of Big Muddy were it not for this forum.

PS - Yankees logo added post production/delivery

https://i.imgur.com/b6ESXwzl.jpg

[fatt-dad]

I doubt you'll ever part with your Big Muddy. I think flat-tops are just great to have!

Well done!

f-d

[Zach Wilson]

Right on! Flat tops are my favorite! Mine gets more play time than any other instrument I own.

Congrats and happy picking!