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Thread: Mandolin of MAS Destruction?

  1. #1
    Front Porch & Sweet Tea NursingDaBlues's Avatar
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    Default Mandolin of MAS Destruction?

    Up to now, I would never have considered trying to justify spending three- to four- times the price of one of my existing mandolins for an upper tier brand. In my mind there simply couldn’t be that much incremental value. So I’ve never tried out, much less pursued, a Nugget, Gilchrist, Dudenbostel, or Monteleone.

    Please note: the operative phrase is “up to now.”

    Last week I posted a video on another thread that featured a performer playing a Monteleone Grand Artist. An excellent sounding mandolin with, to my eyes, one of the most pleasing designs I’ve encountered. Yeah, you guessed it. I started falling for one – hard.

    And then to top it off, I found that this one is for sale in Denver.

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    http://www.picknparlor.com/mandolins...e-grand-artist

    I realize that I may play it and go ‘meh; what I have is all I need.’ Or I may find that it is THE mandolin that could put an end to any future MAS. Of course, there’s only one way to find out.

    It will be a couple of weeks before my next scheduled foray back into Denver and have an opportunity to check it out. So I reach out to all of you on the Café. Won’t one of you please buy it in the meantime so the temptation will be removed? Please.

    And just the for the record: NFI

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  3. #2
    acoustically inert F-2 Dave's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin of MAS Destruction?

    There is no end to MAS. That's a beautiful mandolin. You need it.
    "Mongo only pawn in game of life." --- Mongo

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  5. #3
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    Default Re: Mandolin of MAS Destruction?

    You only live this life once. If you are working and taking care of your responsibilities, there is no reason that you shouldn't have the things that would give you some happiness. Besides, if it is a real quality and sought after instrument, your family will benefit from the sale of said instrument upon your demise. Consider it an investment that you can enjoy for a while. That is how I justify my MAS. I would think that there are others here that think the same way.
    ManjoMan

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  7. #4
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    Default Re: Mandolin of MAS Destruction?

    Going on almost a year now I went through the same "soul searching" when I found a Nugget for sale. I pulled the trigger and have never regretted it. If you can do it comfortably and you have played it, like it, then go for it.

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  9. #5
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    Default Re: Mandolin of MAS Destruction?

    At my ability, finances, and willingness to practice to improve, I've not succumbed to this siren song. The one time I got to hold and play a Loar signed mandolin I still sounded like me...

    I'm very happy where I am. Save up and enjoy it if you go for it!

    Jamie
    There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want; and, after that, to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second. Logan Pearsall Smith, 1865 - 1946

    + Give Blood, Save a Life +

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  11. #6
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    Default Re: Mandolin of MAS Destruction?

    That mandolin is gorgeous, That shape has always called to me, I so wish I could help you out and buy it, I could put a mortgage on my house. Maybe several of us could buy it together and take turns playing it.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

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  13. #7
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    Default Re: Mandolin of MAS Destruction?

    I’m with f2 Dave

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    Default Re: Mandolin of MAS Destruction?

    My 2-cents; if it speaks to you, and you can reasonably afford it - go for it!

    From my experience, when you find the 'right' mandolin/instrument, it inspires you:
    - the more inspired you are, the more you play
    - the more you play, the more you improve
    - the more you improve, the more confidence you get
    - the more confidence you get, the more you push yourself to stretch further
    - the more you stretch, the better you realize your strengths and weaknesses, and discover new tricks, techniques and genres of music.
    - the more you realize your strengths and weakness and make new discoveries, the more you can capitalize on your strengths, improve your weaknesses and make your new discoveries work for you.
    - the more you can capitalize on your strengths and improve your weaknesses and work with your new discoveries, the more you will improve.
    - the more you improve, the more confidence you get
    - the more confidence you get, the more you push yourself to stretch further . . . and the cycle continues.

    For me, having that Right/Inspiring instrument is/was money well spent.

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  17. #9
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    Default Re: Mandolin of MAS Destruction?

    (One of the best thread titles ever.)
    ...

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    Default Re: Mandolin of MAS Destruction?

    You definitely need that mandolin and I am very glad you got it.

    I have so far experienced two mandolins that I thought were the end of MAS. One lasted a year. The other is only about 4-5 months old at this point but I already realize that this is not the end.

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  21. #11
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    Default Re: Mandolin of MAS Destruction?

    There is no single-mando cure for MAS. Disabuse yourself of that notion immediately.

    Which is not to say you should avoid this mandolin, if you can afford it.

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    Default Re: Mandolin of MAS Destruction?

    The way I see it if you can afford it well go for it if you like it. You only live once. Also at gruhns they have an older GA that I was told by my uncle who was checking out an old 30's Gibson F-5 for me that the GA was a great mandolin, really open,loud,great toned just different than a Gibson. I do like different, just saying. MAS is a great thing or something evil with all the temptation.

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  25. #13
    Gummy Bears and Scotch BrianWilliam's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin of MAS Destruction?

    Hey, it's on sale

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  27. #14
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    Default Re: Mandolin of MAS Destruction?

    It really is beautiful, but my MAS is cured for now. So I can't help you out, you need to play it and if it "speaks to you," you need to buy it. There is a great mandolin for every player.

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  29. #15
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    Default Re: Mandolin of MAS Destruction?

    Nice looking instrument-once you go play it you will know - that's how it works for me anyway. I have more instruments than I really need but like each one of them.
    2014 Rogue
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  31. #16
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    Default Re: Mandolin of MAS Destruction?

    To the original poster-- that mandolin has been there for well over a year. If you get serious about it, you could make them an offer.

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  33. #17
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    Default Re: Mandolin of MAS Destruction?

    Quote Originally Posted by Caleb View Post
    (One of the best thread titles ever.)
    Agreed.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
    funny....

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  35. #18
    Mando-Afflicted lflngpicker's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin of MAS Destruction?

    Absolutely gorgeous! I hope you will be pleased. Have fun anticipating and deciding.
    2014 BRW F5 #114
    2022 Kentucky KM 950 Master Model

    YouTube Original Recording of My composition "Closer Walk"

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  37. #19
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    Default Re: Mandolin of MAS Destruction?

    Thank you NDB...you have stripped away a lot of the angst I was having over spending around 3K for a Northfield, which would be my first “serious” mandolin and is still probably better than I deserve LOL.

    Go get that mando...it sure is gorgeous...

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  39. #20
    Registered User Mando Mort's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin of MAS Destruction?

    Smoke 'em if you got 'em! Go for it if you like how it plays and you can still pay your bills afterwards.

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  41. #21
    Front Porch & Sweet Tea NursingDaBlues's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin of MAS Destruction?

    Quote Originally Posted by pops1 View Post
    That mandolin is gorgeous, That shape has always called to me, I so wish I could help you out and buy it, I could put a mortgage on my house. Maybe several of us could buy it together and take turns playing it.
    The Cafe's Traveling MGA Sampler! I like it!

  42. #22
    Front Porch & Sweet Tea NursingDaBlues's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin of MAS Destruction?

    Quote Originally Posted by rcc56 View Post
    To the original poster-- that mandolin has been there for well over a year. If you get serious about it, you could make them an offer.
    That is very good to know. Makes you wonder why though.

  43. #23
    Front Porch & Sweet Tea NursingDaBlues's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin of MAS Destruction?

    Quote Originally Posted by BrianWilliam View Post
    Hey, it's on sale
    Well, there is that.

  44. #24
    Front Porch & Sweet Tea NursingDaBlues's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin of MAS Destruction?

    Quote Originally Posted by bluegrasser78 View Post
    The way I see it if you can afford it well go for it if you like it. You only live once. Also at gruhns they have an older GA that I was told by my uncle who was checking out an old 30's Gibson F-5 for me that the GA was a great mandolin, really open,loud,great toned just different than a Gibson. I do like different, just saying. MAS is a great thing or something evil with all the temptation.
    I, too, like different. While I'll need to assess it in person with my own ears, I'm understanding that the MGA does have it's own sound.

  45. #25
    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin of MAS Destruction?

    There pry isn't anything wrong with it, many upon many higher end mandolins have been sitting for sale for a long time now, some well over the 1 year mark some 3-4 years now at certain shops.

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