Bought the mid-mo and !

[Capt. E]

I talked the pawn shop down to $325 on the Mid-Missouri M0 ..."why not?" So glad I bought it. Put new strings on, the old ones were dark, and it came to life. Great tone, great action, much better (to me) than my Epi MM-30. The guys at Fiddlers Green Music Shop where I bought the strings said it would be perfect for the Celtic jams they have twice a month. Came with a case, a beautiful hand-made strap, guitar humidifier, instruction book, and Mid-Mo brochure. I played it for two hours last night...

Mid-Missouri Mandolins are now built under the name Big Muddy Mandolins http://www.bigmuddymandolin.com/

See this site for an explaination of the name change: http://franklinguitarcompany.com/reviews.php

[Capt. E]

Just noticed a mint condition Mid-Missouri M-3 for sale on ebay...$650 Buy It Now. Probably a fair price: less than a new Big Muddy M-3 would cost. Whew!

[Jim MacDaniel]

Congrats -- you should have a lot of fun with your Mid-Mo, and that's a pretty decent price, especially considering that you got a case and several accessories with it.

(BTW, I'm glad you didn't jump on the M-3, as I think it may be a bit overpriced: Gryphon Gryphon Strings (http://gryphonstrings.com/inventory/instrument_page.php?Instrument=Mandolin,Mandola,Ma ndolin-Banjo&Query=Mandolin%20Family&Alternate=1) is selling brand new (Big Muddy) M-3's for only $518. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif )

[Caleb]

Wow, sounds like you got a great deal.

Side note: I never understand why people say that these types of instruments are great for "Celtic" music. Every place I've ever been where people are playing Irish tunes nobody has a mandolin like this. It'a always A-style carved top instruments, and every now and then a F-style. Having owned both a carved top and now a flattop, I can say that that carved top is way more versatile, though the flattops do have a unique sound that works really well for a few things. Anyway, just an observation.

Enjoy your new mando. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[steve V. johnson]

Congrats on the Mid-Mo!

I'm very glad that it's bringing you good sound and may it bring you much fun!

stv

[mandogerry]

[Quote from Caleb's message] "Side note: I never understand why people say that these types of instruments are great for "Celtic" music.

Quick Answer: Because they are!

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Proud owner of a Big Muddy M-4

[sgarrity]

Mid-Mo mandos are great. That was the first mandolin I owned back in the day before MAS took a hold of me.

[allenhopkins]

Side note: I never understand why people say that these types of instruments are great for "Celtic" music. Every place I've ever been where people are playing Irish tunes nobody has a mandolin like this. It'a always A-style carved top instruments, and every now and then a F-style.
The idea that "flat-top" mandolins are well-suited to Celtic style may be related to the fact that they're generally seen as less well-suited to bluegrass. Consensus is that they lack the penetrating tone needed for the standard "chop" chording, and preferred to compete with banjos. However, good flat-tops have a great "ring" that works well in playing with fiddles, not only Celtic music, but old-timey as well.

I've seen a few "pancake" mandolins at Celtic jams, and usually take my own Gibson Army-Navy Custom to play there. The short scale and ringy, trebly tone fit in well. On the other hand, I've also taken the 3-point F-2, and that seems to contribute as well.

[violmando]

I don't know about Mid-mo's at Celtic events, but my Trinity College 'dola is GREAT for Celtic music. It has just the right sound. At least that's my opinion, seconded by those who have heard it here.

[Steve L]

I often bring my Mid Mo or Parson's flat top to sessions. I have a Breedlove KF, but I enjoy the sound of the flat tops too. I tend to play lines behind singers or tunes if it's just me and 1 or 2 other players joining in. For most of the session I play tenor banjo. I must say, I've heard a couple of inexpensive Kentucky As at sessions and thought they sounded good and projected well.

[Martin Jonas]

Side note: I never understand why people say that these types of instruments are great for "Celtic" music. Every place I've ever been where people are playing Irish tunes nobody has a mandolin like this. It'a always A-style carved top instruments, and every now and then a F-style.
The idea that "flat-top" mandolins are well-suited to Celtic style may be related to the fact that they're generally seen as less well-suited to bluegrass.
Actually, I think it's mostly because flattops are the "default" mandolin for Irish/Scottish sessions that actually take place in Ireland/Scotland. UK and Irish builders have latched onto this style of construction more than any other, and most of the Irish/UK bands that feature mandolin at all have flattops.

Martin

[epicentre]

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif .............And they sound nice.