View Profile: allenhopkins - Mandolin Cafe Forum

Feb-21-2020, 10:03am

allenhopkins replied to a thread Gibson Post Mortem in Looking for Information About Mandolins

Not all of us -- even long-time Cafe members who, as they say, have "many years of absence" from this forum -- are as au courant with the current...

28 replies | 1819 view(s)

Feb-20-2020, 5:13pm

allenhopkins started a thread Two interesting instruments at Bernunzio's in CBOM

First, let me once again state that I am not shilling for John Bernunzio; strictly no financial interest (well, he's been known to give me a "good...

4 replies | 1447 view(s)

Feb-20-2020, 4:36pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread If you think changing strings on a mandolin is a pain... in General Mandolin Discussions

I have a Zimmermann 5-bar Autoharp from C F Zimmermann's original Philadelphia shop (i can tell because the bars have red felt on them). It's a...

20 replies | 906 view(s)

Feb-19-2020, 10:47am

allenhopkins replied to a thread New Washburn 'Timeless' F-5 in Looking for Information About Mandolins

Everyone should buy and play a mandolin they like. Tastes differ -- and so do individual instruments, even the same models from the same builder. ...

27 replies | 6137 view(s)

Feb-19-2020, 10:27am

allenhopkins replied to a thread Is this Gibson A-5 model familiar to anyone? in Looking for Information About Mandolins

Looks just like the one I have, with the "stars & moons" cover plate, except mine has the round "screen holes" in the upper bout, rather than...

13 replies | 1705 view(s)

Feb-18-2020, 6:27pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Richter Patent Tuners in Vintage Instruments

Looks like a "pocket" mandolin. German made?

10 replies | 3218 view(s)

Feb-18-2020, 6:24pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Gibson Post Mortem in Looking for Information About Mandolins

Modifying OP post to "Gibson isn't making many mandolins any more." Fair summary of the situation. I hear the new ones are first-rate -- when and...

28 replies | 1819 view(s)

Feb-18-2020, 6:17pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Boston/Cambridge Music Stores? in General Mandolin Discussions

If you don't have a car in Boston, there's apparently a MBTA #62 bus from the Alewife subway station (Red Line subway northern terminus) that goes...

10 replies | 564 view(s)

Feb-17-2020, 5:09pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Funny reference to Bluegrass in mystery novel in Bluegrass, Newgrass, Country, Gospel Variants

Banjo player smiles. Audience? Maybe, maybe not...

6 replies | 1902 view(s)

Feb-16-2020, 8:39pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Northeastern Bluegrass festival in General Mandolin Discussions

If I'm likely to run into a jam going to or from the stage area, I have instrument(s) with me, generally more than just a mandolin (also guitar,...

6 replies | 385 view(s)

Feb-16-2020, 8:34pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread collecting and playing mandolins ? in General Mandolin Discussions

Well -- when my stuff goes on sale, it'll be brokered by some established dealer, and I'll be glad to pay his/her commission to avoid the hassle of...

29 replies | 1576 view(s)

Feb-16-2020, 3:22pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Tyler Mountain Strings in Equipment

"Tyler Mountain" was a brand label for imported Asian instruments, once very common on eBay. The name apparently belongs to a couple of FL music...

4 replies | 435 view(s)

Feb-16-2020, 3:11pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Gourd-backed mandolin in eBay, Craig's List, etc.

Oh, but I like this one! Not enough to bid on it, but I like it.

4 replies | 252 view(s)

Feb-16-2020, 3:03pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread A little help with a new toy, please in Looking for Information About Mandolins

Here's one at Fred Oster's Vintage Instruments in Philly. He says "Lyon & Healy" and he's quite the expert, so I'd go with that. His isn't nice...

2 replies | 725 view(s)

Feb-16-2020, 2:38pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Source for left-handed mandolins in General Mandolin Discussions

If you have to have a "lefty" F-model, you may have to settle for falling in "intense like" rather than love. A-models can be easily converted to...

14 replies | 804 view(s)

Feb-16-2020, 2:33pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Northeastern Bluegrass festival in General Mandolin Discussions

Pickin' In the Pasture -- Aug. 20-23 -- is a decent midsize festival in Lodi NY, between two of the Finger Lakes, Seneca and Cayuga. Those who've...

6 replies | 385 view(s)

Feb-16-2020, 2:27pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread collecting and playing mandolins ? in General Mandolin Discussions

Well, I've got 'em all, from Weber "piccolo" mandolin to mando-bass (ya know, I've gotta update my signature some time; doesn't reflect recent...

29 replies | 1576 view(s)

Feb-14-2020, 10:24am

allenhopkins replied to a thread Barrel back mandolin generously blinged in eBay, Craig's List, etc.

Could the butterfly be a decal, rather than an inlaid pickguard? I'm uncertain after looking at the pics.

7 replies | 628 view(s)

Feb-14-2020, 10:16am

allenhopkins replied to a thread Marketing and getting your name/brand out. in Builders and Repair

Music festivals in your region that have a vendors' area -- even the smaller ones -- can get your instruments in front of the "music public." I've...

29 replies | 2076 view(s)

Feb-13-2020, 6:31pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread This Repurposing Thing Has Gone Too Far in General Mandolin Discussions

Wanna be "repurposed?" Sign up as an organ donor -- or donate your "remains" to your local med school for students' use.

18 replies | 1364 view(s)

Feb-13-2020, 11:47am

allenhopkins replied to a thread On eBay, 2007 Eastman MD615 with "some" wear in eBay, Craig's List, etc.

Some Eastmans of that vintage had a very soft finish, that wore away rapidly. I owned a MDA615 mandola from around that time period, that I played...

6 replies | 952 view(s)

Feb-13-2020, 11:40am

allenhopkins replied to a thread Barrel back mandolin generously blinged in eBay, Craig's List, etc.

Seller thinks it's "1950's"; I'd add 50 years to its age...

7 replies | 628 view(s)

Feb-13-2020, 11:32am

allenhopkins replied to a thread Used Gibsons in General Mandolin Discussions

At the price point of the mandolins OP mentions, the owners expect their instruments to be absolutely exceptional, "just what I wanted," lifetime...

29 replies | 1858 view(s)

Feb-12-2020, 4:47pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Please help to identify this mandolin? in Looking for Information About Mandolins

Headstock looks Suzuki-esque, rest of the instrument not so much. Beats me.

19 replies | 909 view(s)

Feb-12-2020, 4:36pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Professional Mando Names in General Mandolin Discussions

I think we name most toilets "John." Or "Jon" -- dunno which.

22 replies | 1090 view(s)

Feb-10-2020, 4:44pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Old mandolin in Looking for Information About Mandolins

Check this thread which links to others discussing that type of mandolin. You say "wood and fingerboard are the same," but does your Dad's mandolin...

8 replies | 1101 view(s)

Feb-10-2020, 4:33pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Inexpensive starter mandolin advice needed in Equipment

The point I made above. I think the musical instrument presents that work out best, are the ones where the recipient helps make the selection. ...

21 replies | 1597 view(s)

Feb-10-2020, 4:26pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread This Repurposing Thing Has Gone Too Far in General Mandolin Discussions

I've seen quite a few cheap banjos converted into wall clocks, with a solid white board replacing the head, hour numbers attached, and the clock...

18 replies | 1364 view(s)