An old thread, I know. I have a 2-20 in remarkably nice condition. I think mine has a remarkably fine tone and has usable volume. I played at a jam last night with another picker who was playing a...
Type: Posts; User: George Henry
An old thread, I know. I have a 2-20 in remarkably nice condition. I think mine has a remarkably fine tone and has usable volume. I played at a jam last night with another picker who was playing a...
Glad to hear things are going well. I’ve missed you in the Knoxville scene. You were a great friend when I first located here. Old time music has exploded in the area and we could use your...
I formerly was employed by a major mandolin importer. We had an issue with excessive numbers of mandolins arriving with tailpieces mounted askew. The company decided to return them to the...
I had a Style 20 (oval hole 2 point) for several years. It was always fine structurally. I currently have an almost perfect 2-20. 80 years old. The recurve does look a little deep, but there are...
Some of the LM-700s sound really good for an affordable mandolin, but I don’t think their quality equals that of Eastman. The Loars are clearly a production level instrument, while Eastman feature...
Why no attach the pickguard to the fretboard with two pins, like old Gibson’s.
That’s what I paid. Even for my L-75 guitar.
Hill Country Stringworks will make you an ebony or other dark wood pickguard to your pattern at a very reasonable price. I’ve had them make me pickguards for my Eastman 815, Gibson A, and Gibson ...
I was limited by the short height available on the Martin mandolin (about 6/10”). I called Vern Brekke and he sent me what he thought would work within these limitations. It turned out be one as in...
A good discussion of both the Brekke and Henry mandolin bridges by mandolin maker Peter Coombe.
https://www.petercoombe.com/publications/jaamim4.htm
Lots of you all have read this; none have responded. After several days, I can hardly believe the difference tonally. Formerly it would break up and get brittle under hard picking. Now it never...
I grew dissatisfied with the stock bridge on my 1929 Martin Style 20 mandolin because of its lack of adjustability (it’s a one piece, two footed design) and I hope another bridge might mellow out the...
I developed neuropathy in my right hand. Neurologist thinks it was result of autoimmunine reaction to Covid shot. It damaged my median and ulcer nerves. My right was noticeably impacted. I went...
Took the 904B and Martin to the Breaking Up Winter old time festival in Lebanon, Tn this week. Some of the best old time music jamming on the planet. Both mandolins were great. I guess the Martin...
I’m pretty satisfied with the 904D at this point. It plays extremely well. The crystal clear tone is just perfect for Irish music. This mandolin has some pretty specific strengths.
The chords sound great on the 904D with Thomastiks, very harmonious and smooth; but much different than the “chop” of the 815, which is a quintessential bluegrass machine. My old Martin Style 20...
This thing is waking up and revealing itself. A much different tone than my 815. The tone is crisp and clear, especially in the highs. Unlike a lot of oval holes, it’s very articulate and...
I tweaked the 904D some more today. Tossed the Martin Monels and replaced with Thomastik Precizion mediums, the same I use on my Martin. I like the smooth feel and the sound shows promise. Sure...
We had a good jam this morning and I took the opportunity to really pick the 904D a lot. The tone is excellent, the chord sound really sweet. It just doesn’t really pop at this point, but it did...
I recently came into ownership of two almost new Eastman mandolins, both in excellent condition. One is a recent MD-815 with sunburst, an excellent bluegrass instrument which reminds me of a...
Dues to neuropathy issue in my right arm which which makes maintaining pick grip an issue, Ive been trying out various picks for awhile. These include various sample of V Picks, Primetones, Blue...
Knoxville is the place. The GC had in stock a ever so lightly used Eastman MD-815 for $1300 less than the Collings would have cost, so I brought it home. The Eastman just ticked so many boxes; less...
Well, I ended up taking the Collings back with the return period. Although it is a very fine instrument, I couldn’t justify spending $3,000 for a mandolin I would occasionally use. I currently play...
A band ate acquired a beautiful Collings MT2 which has caused me some mandolin envy. I decided to see if I could find a used Collings at a “reasonable price”. I ended up finding a used Collings MT...
It appears.that Bill played a 1929 Style 20, since that was the only year the model was made without fretboard binding. 101 were made that year.
I have a 1929 with very little little wear. Bob...