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Thread: Playing a Travel Sized Instruments Short Term

  1. #1

    Default Playing a Travel Sized Instruments Short Term

    Hello all, I’m looking into buying a travel sized bowlback for a trip into desert conditions and was wondering if playing a travel sized instrument only for three months would have any negative feedbacks. Thanks all!

  2. #2
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Playing a Travel Sized Instruments Short Term

    I brought a Pocket style Mandolin, a flat back, not Bowl back on a 9 month long Bicycle tour
    of Ireland & Scotland..

    It has a 13" scale just 20" long overall*, glad I had it for Pub jams and playing with strangers I met along the way..

    * A friend helped me gt a custom Gig bag made for it..


    I have since bought a Carbon Fiber Mix made Mandolin , I would have loved to have had it
    and not worried about the relative humidity being too dry or too damp, temperature too hot or too cold..

    It has the Gibsonesque 13 7/8" scale and is the same size as their A type Mandolins..





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    is like dancing,
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  3. #3

    Default Re: Playing a Travel Sized Instruments Short Term

    How much did you pay for the pocket Mandolin? Thinking of getting one but they’re super expensive from what I’ve seen. I’m thinking a ukulele tuned in fifths might be good

  4. #4
    Registered User
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    Default Re: Playing a Travel Sized Instruments Short Term

    You might consider a Seagull S8. It's very small in size and a little (but not much) shorter.
    It fits in my carry-on backpack and I bought it mainly for its size, to travel with.
    Sounds not bad. Plenty volume, and not too expensive.

    I got one recently there is a thread on it here:
    https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/s...hlight=seagull
    David A. Gordon

  5. #5
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Playing a Travel Sized Instruments Short Term

    I have had one of those German pocket mandolins and they have little tone or volume. Those are usually flatbacks. Any reason you want a travel-size bowlback? I would worry about desert conditions with a bowlback. The ribs might separate.

    I agree with Dagger that the Seagull S8 would be a good choice. I played one in a store near me a few times and was impressed. They are pretty sturdy and do put out a decent sound and volume.
    Jim

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  6. #6
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Playing a Travel Sized Instruments Short Term

    Agree with Jim G about the European "pocket" mandolins; I have a Holdrio-Piccolo German instrument and it has little volume or tone quality, though it's interesting in its own way.

    Here's one on eBay for $300 or best offer that might be something like what you're seeking (?).
    Allen Hopkins
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  7. #7

    Default Re: Playing a Travel Sized Instruments Short Term

    Another vote for the S8. Handy as hell! And its a real instrument, not a stick with frets, with a real sound and feel. Had mine almost two years now, use it in all kinds of situations, not always just because of its compact size. But it has that...
    I was a volunteer driver at Celtic Colours festival this fall, spent a couple of days escorting a certain band around, with gear, in a mini-van. The trip sheet said four-piece but it turned out they were a five-piece. That was one full van, and the only place for my mando was under my knees in the drivers compt...that was highly uncomfortable with my 505, so I brought the S8 the second day...yup, fits comfortably in that spot too!

    Sadly though, speaking to the original question, the idea of a travel bowlback seems a contradiction in terms.

  8. #8
    Registered User Eric Platt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Playing a Travel Sized Instruments Short Term

    Yet another vote for the Seagull. Played one in a store for about 3 hours total over a few visits. It plays like any other bent top mandolin. Decent sound and definitely portable. If I were flying out someplace, wouldn't hesitate to buy one and take it along.
    Brentrup Model 23, Boeh A5 #37, Gibson A Jr., Big Muddy M-11, Coombe Classical flattop, Strad-O-Lin
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