Always a good one.
https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/threads/99743-Why-are-Loar-era-Gibson-A-types-such-a-good-deal?p=1212395&viewfull=1#post1212395
Always a good one.
https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/threads/99743-Why-are-Loar-era-Gibson-A-types-such-a-good-deal?p=1212395&viewfull=1#post1212395
I did my first speed neck the same way. The clear finish was flaking off the neck on my Morris hybrid F4. I used a pick to scrape the rest off, then used some 400 grit sandpaper to smooth it all...
If it was German or from Eastern Europe I too would have expected to see a zero fret.
It is a style that is often called a German dome back and the tuners look German but it may have been made in Mexico. If German I would expect dot markers and maybe some kind of inlay on the top.
Probably a good guess. The bridge most likely isn't original either.
Here is a link to every message on the Cafe that mentions the Ms. Griffith Loar. The single signed Lloyd Loar A style mandolin built by Gibson is known as the Ms. Griffith Loar. She wanted an A...
I watched this great example of "The Man" at work, and could not find it posted before. I don't think Bill ever suffered stage fright. What a performer!:mandosmiley:...
A 1920 A model mandolin is typically a very sweet little instrument. In general, they are known for their mellow tone, not a lot of cutting trebles or strong chop. Again in general terms and all...
Nice mandolin. Doug Clark is a North Carolina builder, around Asheville I believe. The couple that i have played were pretty nice mandolins. Will Hart with the King James Boys Currently plays one....
I'm getting pretty close to finishing this old tenor guitar so I thought I would post a few pictures. I'm not totally satisfied with the finish on the top, but it is pretty close to looking like I...
Nope, they buy from whomever they choose to buy from and the name Epiphone doesn't add any cache to the Flatiron label. But, as Steinberger is a Gibson brand I totally understand the concept. They...
It was all solid, pressed not carved as far as I recall and at one time they added the Epiphone name to the label, not unlike the Epiphone guitar I have that has a Gibson truss rod cover on it. That...
There are no modern "Epiphone made" instruments. Gibson bought the Epiphone brand name decades ago and in the ensuing years has contracted the construction of Epiphone branded instruments to...
In 1954 Regal as a company closed down. Harmony purchased the rights to the name and some assets. It's not quite the same as buying the company. By then it was simply a name as well. Fender owned the...
Kay was never acquired by Harmony. They were always their own company. Harmony was owned by Sears for a time then they spun themselves off again. Kay mandolin neck joints have always been an issue.
...
Kay is famous for the bad dovetails they carved on their mandolins. Their method of making up for it was to flow in as much hide glue as they could. They almost always fail. If you opened it up you'd...
Old Kraftsman was a brand of Spiegel- a catalogue company and sold instruments from a number of makers including Gibson. The mandolin you show was made by Kay which was first made in 1939. There is a...
I don't want to get too snarky here, but; who is building the mandolin? If the builder likes sugar maple and thinks he/she can get you the sound you want using it, what difference does it make what...
The most important factor is the skill of the builder. Individual pieces of wood can vary greatly, regardless of species. Even within species.
The full album available on youtube for those interested...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqyIkokhjsU&list=PLvsYXqtYjMYeZBBAseQ1FaKN2j9g50uW8
I quite like David Benedict's videos and his work is a valuable contribution to mandolinning. Especially in the bluegrass and bluegrassish genres.
I do not like too many "shoulds" in what is, to...
While you're waiting for answers here are several thousand message you might want to look through. The applicable ones will jump right out at you.
Kenny, those are certainly three good fiddle tunes to learn! Big Sciota is also a great vocal tune.
Here's some advice that may be helpful, take or leave it as you will ~
First, if you want to...
AJ Lee, with the Brothers Comatose, do a beautiful take on Neil Young's Harvest Moon. What kind of mandolin is she playing?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ml22cp4ojHg
https://youtu.be/r9M4ilthR_U