View Profile: allenhopkins - Mandolin Cafe Forum

Today, 11:28am

allenhopkins replied to a thread Bill Monroe Sailors Plea in General Mandolin Discussions

Here's what Neil Rosenberg said about the 1951 sessions in his 1974 book, Bill Monroe and His Blue Grass Boys: An Illustrated Discography: " Paul...

1 replies | 176 view(s)

Yesterday, 4:18pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Mandolin Design Question! Help in General Mandolin Discussions

Rule of thumb: F-hole: more percussive, "cutting" sound, quicker attack and decay, shorter sustain Oval-hole: rings longer, "smoother" sound,...

12 replies | 405 view(s)

Apr-21-2019, 7:07pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Gibson A-4 (1915/1917)—Worth it to repair, or just return? in Vintage Instruments

I'd take it here, Music Emporium in Lexington, get a good solid repair estimate, before making a final decision. Great "bones" to this instrument,...

24 replies | 721 view(s)

Apr-21-2019, 6:57pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread I want to identify my mandolin, please help in Looking for Information About Mandolins

I like the "Russian" attribution; overall, not an expensive or high-end instrument. The four-pin tailpiece, un-compensated-un-adjustable bridge, and...

18 replies | 749 view(s)

Apr-20-2019, 3:40pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Value of 1919 Gibson A-2 in Looking for Information About Mandolins

Take a look at these at The Parlor in Knoxville TN. Might give you an idea what dealers are asking. Here's Bernunzio's similar page.

6 replies | 374 view(s)

Apr-19-2019, 3:05pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Loop-end strings with 'sheaths' for 1895 Bowl-back Mandolin in Vintage Instruments

No, my standards are low. GHS or equivalent (Stutzman's "Donel" brand, GHS-made). I restring my bowl-backs every couple Presidential...

12 replies | 694 view(s)

Apr-18-2019, 9:03pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Strad-o-lin question.. 4 string acoustic? in Looking for Information About Mandolins

You find Strad-O-Lin brass instruments as well. Plus amps, woodwinds, misc. music stuff, imported from Europe, Asia, wherever. Seems that those...

7 replies | 685 view(s)

Apr-18-2019, 4:04pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Predicting the Future in General Mandolin Discussions

Guy Lombardo, maybe? Jus' guessin'... On the topic at hand: the carved/arched top, f-hole, scrolled body has become so much the stereotype of...

62 replies | 2066 view(s)

Apr-18-2019, 12:53pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Not all Collings hold their value in General Mandolin Discussions

Resale value has never been one of the criteria I use in considering buying an instrument -- well, perhaps in the most general sense: I don't want to...

91 replies | 4412 view(s)

Apr-17-2019, 4:05pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Predicting the Future in General Mandolin Discussions

Anyway, in 20 years I'll likely be passe –– and passed on...

62 replies | 2066 view(s)

Apr-16-2019, 4:21pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Loop-end strings with 'sheaths' for 1895 Bowl-back Mandolin in Vintage Instruments

Bring your wallet; seventeen buxx per set.

12 replies | 694 view(s)

Apr-08-2019, 9:30pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Vega Bowlback with Patent stamp May 15 94 (1894) in Looking for Information About Mandolins

This Mugwumps serial number table would put serial number 9645 around 1895. However, it's geared toward banjo serial numbers, and I don't know if...

11 replies | 432 view(s)

Apr-08-2019, 11:47am

allenhopkins replied to a thread Questions on Hanging Vintage Washburn in Vintage Instruments

Besides the question of the security of the hangers, be aware that without any case storage, your bowl-back will be sensitive to the ambient...

5 replies | 551 view(s)

Apr-08-2019, 11:38am

allenhopkins replied to a thread Vintage "The Gibson" Mandolin Tailpiece 100 years old in eBay, Craig's List, etc.

While I agree that an owner has the absolute right to do what he/she pleases with a mandolin -- still, there's something a bit poignant in seeing...

17 replies | 674 view(s)

Apr-08-2019, 11:13am

allenhopkins replied to a thread Gibson F-5L thoughts in General Mandolin Discussions

I'm a "broken record" on the subject, but let me repeat that I wouldn't spend that kind of money on an instrument I hadn't had a chance to play. ...

38 replies | 2112 view(s)

Apr-07-2019, 7:30pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Looking for Information on an old Hofner Mandolin...See Photos in Looking for Information About Mandolins

OMG, a "fake" Hofner? With a Hobner logo obviously designed to replicate the Hofner logo, and fool the unwary? Anyway, here's a Hobner on eBay...

8 replies | 595 view(s)

Apr-06-2019, 8:38pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread need mando refret rochester/Syracuse area in Builders and Repair

Bernunzio's Stutzman's Bernie Lehmann's Dealt with all of them, all honest and competent. Give a call first to get an estimate.

2 replies | 439 view(s)

Apr-05-2019, 5:45pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Thoughts on 1924 Gibson A-4 snakehead mandolin in Looking for Information About Mandolins

Elderly's an honest dealer, with good customer support. Having said that, if you can't get to MI, I wouldn't spend $5K on an instrument I couldn't...

14 replies | 783 view(s)

Apr-03-2019, 11:56am

allenhopkins replied to a thread Who was the first American mandolin manufacturer? in Vintage Instruments

Let me throw a little sideways thought into the mix: we're sorta limiting the "first American manufacturer" to the Northeast-Midwest instrument...

68 replies | 12448 view(s)

Apr-03-2019, 11:49am

allenhopkins replied to a thread Taj Mahal on mandolin? in General Mandolin Discussions

Entire album's on YouTube.

20 replies | 1045 view(s)

Apr-03-2019, 11:29am

allenhopkins replied to a thread "Super" Bouzouki. But who makes it. in Looking for Information About Mandolins

A while ago, there were instruments showing up on eBay that were evidently Asian-made clones of Ovation's Adamas line, with the same soundholes with...

11 replies | 563 view(s)

Apr-03-2019, 10:42am

allenhopkins replied to a thread Taj Mahal on mandolin? in General Mandolin Discussions

There are several YouTube vids of the two of them in concert. I jumped through a couple, but couldn't find Taj Mahal playing mandolin, just acoustic...

20 replies | 1045 view(s)

Apr-02-2019, 11:43am

allenhopkins replied to a thread Mandolin-Driven String Bands in General Mandolin Discussions

Any group with Kenny Hall in it, such as Sweets Mill String Band, and later Heartland Harvest: The Three Stripped Gears: The Skillet...

15 replies | 953 view(s)

Apr-01-2019, 9:46am

allenhopkins replied to a thread Vintage Bowlback Logo in General Mandolin Discussions

Distant cousin to the Elias Howe logo on Howe-Orme instruments...? May not be what you're recalling, though.

2 replies | 412 view(s)

Mar-29-2019, 8:04pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread 1929 Gibson A Mandolin with OHSC - $1350 (Poughkeepsie) in eBay, Craig's List, etc.

Obvious things to check: cracks, flat spots in the first seven or so frets, top sinkage, neck straightness and action height, tuning peg function,...

8 replies | 972 view(s)

Mar-29-2019, 7:59pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Ibanez 511 mandolin in Vintage Instruments

Probably 1980's vintage, solid wood top, pressed not carved, laminated back and sides. They're listed on sites like Reverb for $200 or so. Not a...

6 replies | 570 view(s)

Mar-29-2019, 7:48pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread L. H. Leland Brilliantone Mando in General Mandolin Discussions

Well, I appreciate your clarification. I retain a feeling of being misunderstood. The Oct. '18 thread in question asked for info about a mandolin...

19 replies | 1054 view(s)

Mar-29-2019, 3:26pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread guidance about Levin mandolins models in Looking for Information About Mandolins

This Vintage Guitars web page will give you catalog info on a wide array of Levin mandolin models. As to fair market price, you'll need to do some...

7 replies | 552 view(s)

Mar-29-2019, 3:20pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread NMD- 1973 Martin A in General Mandolin Discussions

Love my 1919 Style A. However you compare Martins to what we now consider "standard" mandolins, with maple bodies, longer scales, and more likely...

9 replies | 646 view(s)

Mar-29-2019, 3:14pm

allenhopkins replied to a thread Seeking Advice: Seller Misrepresented Condition. in General Mandolin Discussions

IMHO you made a wise decision to keep a great-sounding though "distressed" mandolin at an excellent price. Also IMHO, the seller was a bit...

28 replies | 1560 view(s)

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