View Profile: allenhopkins - Mandolin Cafe Forum

Today, 4:15pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Gibson A 50 for $7500 in eBay, Craig's List, etc.

"Yeah, Honey, I listed it on eBay, but no one would give me a fair price for it! I mean, it's a Gibson! Sure, I want to downsize my collection; I...

10 replies | 324 view(s)

Today, 4:09pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Fiddle (not mando content) in General Mandolin Discussions

Suzuki violin classes I've audited (for Arts Council funding) have learned bowing patterns like "Mississippi Hot Dog" (say the syllables, note the...

19 replies | 801 view(s)

Today, 3:45pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread I need one of these in General Mandolin Discussions

We have a pretty good theorbo-ist in Rochester: Deborah Fox. She has an ensemble, Pegasus Early Music, playing Renaissance and baroque music -- even...

10 replies | 417 view(s)

Yesterday, 3:07pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Vintage Gibson? Mandolin Identification in Vintage Instruments

Yeah. Headstock and body shape resemble this presumably-Harmony-made Columbia mandolin. Soundhole's a whole other matter: large and close to the...

12 replies | 389 view(s)

Yesterday, 2:53pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread So...what would you do with an octave mando? in General Mandolin Discussions

Here's what I do with mine (most of the time):

16 replies | 688 view(s)

Feb-18-2019, 9:13pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread What shape? in eBay, Craig's List, etc.

That's part of our evanescent charm: and you will notice I included a colon.

12 replies | 561 view(s)

Feb-17-2019, 8:59pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Looking for some info about a Maurer mandolin in Looking for Information About Mandolins

OMG, temptation, temptation... But it already has an even bigger brother.

11 replies | 545 view(s)

Feb-17-2019, 1:00pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Real Wear not Distressing in Videos, Pictures & Sound Files

R Kelly's mandolinist?

22 replies | 1352 view(s)

Feb-17-2019, 12:53pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread I’m so sorry (for the thread what mando should I not buy) in General Mandolin Discussions

A bit of a conundrum: there are hundreds of posts on different threads, counseling against buying a particular brand or model of mandolin, or...

9 replies | 1059 view(s)

Feb-16-2019, 2:09pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread A mandolin/violin relative price story in General Mandolin Discussions

My old band shared a benefit concert program with a classical cellist about 30 years ago. (Also on the bill was Lou Gramm of Foreigner, doing a solo...

53 replies | 2457 view(s)

Feb-16-2019, 2:02pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Luthier Paul Hostetter has passed away in General Mandolin Discussions

A loss for all of us here. There are Cafe members whose shared knowledge and helpful attitude benefit the entire community, and he was one of those.

51 replies | 2934 view(s)

Feb-15-2019, 3:47pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Can anyone provide infomration on a Mandolin I have aquired? in Looking for Information About Mandolins

I'd mostly agree with Don except for the zero fret. That really looks European to me.

7 replies | 661 view(s)

Feb-13-2019, 4:34pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Affordable melody banjo options in General Mandolin Discussions

So: would a four-string Slingerland Maybell with a 13 3/4 inch scale and an 8 1/2 inch shell, be a melody banjo or a ukulele banjo? Question...

8 replies | 473 view(s)

Feb-13-2019, 12:56pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread What shape? in eBay, Craig's List, etc.

Comes with a matching stool to sit on while playing it. That's at least the turd bad pun someone's made on the subject (he said, flushed with...

12 replies | 561 view(s)

Feb-13-2019, 12:53pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Croatian Style Tenor Guitar/Mandolinetto made in Cleveland 1920s in eBay, Craig's List, etc.

Bencic doesn't show up on the Mugwumps index of instrument makers. Really nice instrument, but I'm not sure I'd pop $2.2K US for it.

9 replies | 341 view(s)

Feb-13-2019, 12:48pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Which mandolin should I buy? in Looking for Information About Mandolins

Yeah, you'll just use it to play bluegrass or Irish trad or old-time or jazz, and all those tunes sound the same anyway. You'll end up hanging with...

77 replies | 3547 view(s)

Feb-13-2019, 12:40pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Would appreciate some opinions please. in General Mandolin Discussions

Nothing more enjoyable than discussing how to spend someone else's money -- except, perhaps, spending your own money (assuming you have some) on a...

43 replies | 2169 view(s)

Feb-13-2019, 12:26pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread illegible parlor guitar label in Builders and Repair

I have a no-name, X-braced parlor guitar with a pin bridge that several people have estimated to be c. 1860. I have used silk-and-steel XL strings...

26 replies | 1293 view(s)

Feb-12-2019, 5:58pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread illegible parlor guitar label in Builders and Repair

In Tom & Mary Anne Evans' book Guitars (c. 1977, Paddington Press, London), there's a pin-bridge guitar attributed to Francois Lupot of Orleans,...

26 replies | 1293 view(s)

Feb-12-2019, 12:18pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Old 12 string bowlback info in Vintage Instruments

Any ideas from anyone about a reputable repair-setup shop near SE Ohio?

10 replies | 540 view(s)

Feb-11-2019, 8:06pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread illegible parlor guitar label in Builders and Repair

Flat-top guitars with floating bridges and tailpieces are an interesting development in themselves, especially in the early 20th century. Wonder if...

26 replies | 1293 view(s)

Feb-11-2019, 7:48pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Old 12 string bowlback info in Vintage Instruments

Where are you located?

10 replies | 540 view(s)

Feb-11-2019, 7:43pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Close harmony with a mixture of male/female voices- strategies? in General Mandolin Discussions

Singers have to sing in their natural vocal range -- for the most part. If your voice is naturally significantly lower than that of the lead singer,...

11 replies | 540 view(s)

Feb-11-2019, 2:00pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Gibson Inc. Gibson Brings Out New Tenor-Lute, 1924 in Vintage Instruments

Mine's also 1924 or '25, FON 11180A stamped opposite the treble soundhole, Grover "Pat." planetary banjo pegs, blonde finish, figured maple back but...

14 replies | 842 view(s)

Feb-11-2019, 1:22am

allenhopkins replied to a thread Fiddle tune request time in Old-Time, Roots, Early Country, Cajun, Tex-Mex

Bass player wanted to get in, but didn't...

2 replies | 315 view(s)

Feb-10-2019, 11:24pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Old 12 string bowlback info in Vintage Instruments

Looks like you have two strings hooked on one tailpiece hook; is one broken off? Also, keep an eye on that along-the-grain crack below the bridge.

10 replies | 540 view(s)