clarksavage
Jul-07-2006, 9:11am
I bought a flattop mandolin from Keith Newell just a little while back and have been playing it for the last 2 weeks. It's his number 24. You may have seen a photo of it on his website or over in the classifieds (where I found it!) It has very good looks, the maple of the back and sides show interesting patterns that are art in and of themselvs, and the neck has a different perspective on the same maple. Very cool (but looks isn't really what I'm after.) I already own a 26 Gibson A4 and a Weber Aspen I (that I dearly love!) The A4 holds up the bottom, it has the cool "tubby" sound and plays like butter, while the Aspen has a "sweet, ringing" tone and plays a little harder, but is better for all around playing (hard if needed!) I'm really happy with these but having played some upscale Collings, Breedlove and Webers, I heard a fuller, more balanced tone out there and wanted to have something like that. Keith explained that this mandolin had such a tone and I purchased it from him.
He obviously hears something like I do. Although I now firmly believe all sound is subjective, I believe Keith sold me exactly what I was looking for. This little flattop is really "balanced" (above all) but does NOT sacrifice any lows or highs, it can do what either of my other mandolins can do. It does this for a lot lower price than I was prepared to pay for the other instruments, and having now made a few direct comparisons, it does so very well. I have not compromised. I think I'm lucky now. Keith is a reasonable, friendly guy, too. Dealing with him (as a basic novice) was easy - he tolerated my novice questions with grace. I like that.
I am working on recording some old family tunes on a CD lately (a little family history for my siblings) and this mandolin records well. The overall balanced sound really shows up in recording.
If any of you drive up the Coast Highway (US 1) from LA to SF, stop by for coffee and pick some with me.
He obviously hears something like I do. Although I now firmly believe all sound is subjective, I believe Keith sold me exactly what I was looking for. This little flattop is really "balanced" (above all) but does NOT sacrifice any lows or highs, it can do what either of my other mandolins can do. It does this for a lot lower price than I was prepared to pay for the other instruments, and having now made a few direct comparisons, it does so very well. I have not compromised. I think I'm lucky now. Keith is a reasonable, friendly guy, too. Dealing with him (as a basic novice) was easy - he tolerated my novice questions with grace. I like that.
I am working on recording some old family tunes on a CD lately (a little family history for my siblings) and this mandolin records well. The overall balanced sound really shows up in recording.
If any of you drive up the Coast Highway (US 1) from LA to SF, stop by for coffee and pick some with me.