View Profile: allenhopkins - Mandolin Cafe Forum

Yesterday, 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 | 329 view(s)

Yesterday, 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...

24 replies | 1096 view(s)

Yesterday, 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 | 375 view(s)

Yesterday, 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 | 199 view(s)

Yesterday, 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 | 609 view(s)

Yesterday, 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 | 718 view(s)

Yesterday, 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 | 329 view(s)

Yesterday, 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...

24 replies | 1096 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 | 580 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 | 1924 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 | 1302 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 | 896 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 | 580 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 | 1753 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 | 834 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 | 1020 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 | 996 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 | 1491 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 | 1302 view(s)

Feb-10-2020, 4:19pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Ibanez Buyer beware in General Mandolin Discussions

Some of C F Martin's "Little Martin" guitars are made of, basically, Formica; fiberboard and glue hot-pressed into a "board." Martin calls it HPL...

25 replies | 2184 view(s)

Feb-08-2020, 12:40pm

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

And, by the way I call "ham sandwich" (long-time Cafe-ers will get the reference). First thing you do is answer OP's question about the two...

21 replies | 1491 view(s)

Feb-08-2020, 12:36pm

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

The two models you're looking at are quite different. The Stagg is an all-plywood, f-hole mandolin, with a heat-pressed, laminated basswood arched...

21 replies | 1491 view(s)

Feb-07-2020, 1:34pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Hora Octave Mandolas in CBOM

Scale length is pretty short as octave mandolins go. You have to take a different approach to chord fingerings, if you're used to a "regular"...

7 replies | 356 view(s)

Feb-07-2020, 1:20pm

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

I've seen the "Florence" brand attributed to both Kay and Regal, two Chicago manufacturers of less expensive instruments. Does it look anything...

8 replies | 996 view(s)

Feb-07-2020, 12:52pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Ibanez Buyer beware in General Mandolin Discussions

Well, not so much. If you have any form of central or area heating operating -- and I'll bet you do in February, SC or not -- you're drying out the...

25 replies | 2184 view(s)

Feb-06-2020, 11:09pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Russian Domra ID in Looking for Information About Mandolins

Yeah, but does it "kill moose?"

14 replies | 1328 view(s)

Feb-06-2020, 1:00pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Bowlback identification help in Looking for Information About Mandolins

Looks much like this Suzuki, which someone's trying to get $270 for. Japanese bowl-backs are often criticized for being over-built, and thus not as...

2 replies | 358 view(s)

Feb-06-2020, 12:52pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Unknown archtop mandolin from USA ? in General Mandolin Discussions

This one? Identified as Cremona 545' by master builder Bräuer. So: German origin, apparently, as Mike E and Jim G opined.

15 replies | 1162 view(s)

Feb-05-2020, 3:56pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Looking to identify a Kentucky Mandolin in Looking for Information About Mandolins

Guessing it had a pickup or externally-mounted microphone that was removed by the previous owner. One of the holes appears threaded. This would...

9 replies | 506 view(s)