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Thread: How'd this happen?

  1. #1

    Default How'd this happen?

    I've ended up with four mandolins. This just occurred to me. 2 1/2 years.

    Bought me an Eastman MD 305, quickly sold it and bought my Silverangel. That was it for a while, then the 199.00 Michael Kelly blowout came along. Nice, had an F style beater. Somewhere along the line decided I needed a quality F style. Bought the Arches kit. That quashed MAS. Wasn't going to buy another mandolin until I knew what the Arches kit was going to sound like.

    Then my brain fanaticised the F was going to be good, so what next? A vintage A of course, so I started looking at them. But still not buying. Mando three wasn't done.

    Well finished it, played in the white. It was nice to have three, but then I varnished it, and while it was drying, I was back to an unacceptable two. Hence, the A-1 came into my life. Back to three and the world was good again.

    But the Arches dried and I was up to four. Four seems excessive. Please, I need plausible reasons, and if you want to make a case for five, I'm listening, but it better be good.
    Silverangel A
    Arches F style kit
    1913 Gibson A-1

  2. #2
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    Default Re: How'd this happen?

    Only four! How many mandolins does a person need - one more that they already have! At the last count it was in the region of 14; and they all sound different.

  3. #3
    Confused... or?
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    Default Re: How'd this happen?

    Take two asprin, and check the classifieds in the morning.
    - Ed

    "Then one day we weren't as young as before
    Our mistakes weren't quite so easy to undo
    But by all those roads, my friend, we've travelled down
    I'm a better man for just the knowin' of you."
    - Ian Tyson

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  5. #4
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: How'd this happen?

    Quote Originally Posted by Br1ck View Post
    Four seems excessive. Please, I need plausible reasons, and if you want to make a case for five, I'm listening, but it better be good.
    Once you fall in love with the mandolin, you want to hear how it sounds in all of its incarnations. Thus, I see your four and raise you a flattop, a resonator, and an octave.
    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
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  6. #5
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    Default Re: How'd this happen?

    Well heck if you weren't involved in the critical and wildy fun activity of shopping for another mandolin and all the unnecessary accouterments, you might be left with some boring activity like making music.

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  8. #6
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    Default Re: How'd this happen?

    A seamstress doesn't only have 4 colors of thread, a mechanic doesn't only have 4 wrenches, a chef doesn't have only 4 cooking utensils . . . so why should you only have 4 mandolins?

    Just saying . . . .

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  10. #7
    I really look like that soliver's Avatar
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    Default Re: How'd this happen?

    I'm at 2 and thinking about selling 1 and then the next 2 (or 3) I want... Oval hole.... flat top (again)... 'Dola... maybe even an octave. Thinking about building too!
    aka: Spencer
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  11. #8
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    Default Re: How'd this happen?

    Reason for more mandolins. He who dies with the most mandolins wins.

  12. #9
    Orrig Onion HonketyHank's Avatar
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    Default Re: How'd this happen?

    If I had only four I'd have a lot of empty space on the wall. Besides, a man can't have a fast enough car, enough gigahertzes in his computer, or enough mandolins. True fact.
    New to mando? Click this link -->Newbies to join us at the Newbies Social Group.

    Just send an email to rob.meldrum@gmail.com with "mandolin setup" in the subject line and he will email you a copy of his ebook for free (free to all mandolincafe members).

    My website and blog: honketyhank.com

  13. #10
    Teacher, repair person
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    Default Re: How'd this happen?

    The next time the urge strikes, go outside and bow to the west 7 times. Spin around 3 times counterclockwise with your right little finger in your left ear, then twice clockwise with your index finger in your right ear. Drink exactly 2.5 ounces of coconut juice and say the following words 17 times: "I do not want another mandolin . . . I do not want another mandolin . . . I do not want another mandolin . . ."

    This will not cure your MAS, but when your neighbors see you they will call the guys in the white coats and you will not be able to order anything for at least 48 hours. Perhaps by then, the fit will have passed . . . Until the next time . . .

    Or else you will become like soliver: " . . . the next 2 [or 3] that I want . . . oval hole, flat top, 'dola, octave. Thinking about building, too." Sounds like he can no longer distinguish the difference between 2 and 5 . . .

  14. #11
    Registered User Mandobart's Avatar
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    Default Re: How'd this happen?

    Quote Originally Posted by pheffernan View Post
    Once you fall in love with the mandolin, you want to hear how it sounds in all of its incarnations. Thus, I see your four and raise you a flattop, a resonator, and an octave.
    Yes, first it was my mistake; a cheapo Chinese Ibanez. Then I decided I wanted an OM and got a Michael Kelly Octave plus. Somehow I stumbled across a custom built F4 OM and was blown away by the better sound, better build quality, better playability...so I had a friend build me a great hybrid F4 mandolin to match it. Then I lusted for a mandocello, and located a shop-used Eastman MDC 805 for about $400 off normal list price only 4 hours away....
    Then back to builder friend #1 who tempted me with a great price on a 10 string A4 'dola. Then I thought "electric would be fun" so along came the Mandobird VIII. I pestered builder #1 until he built my 10 string F4 mandocello (which is still probably my favorite of all). Then an opportunity arose to get one of his earlier F5's...
    Out of the blue a friend (and former boss) gave me an old 30's banjolin and same era Regal reso mando...
    Hey I can quit anytime I want.....

  15. #12
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: How'd this happen?

    You haven't ended up until you have ended. Its a life long journey.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
    funny....

  16. #13
    Registered User Hendrik Ahrend's Avatar
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    Default Re: How'd this happen?

    As to the OP's question, I believe your mandolins are still too cheap.

  17. #14
    Registered User Ivan Kelsall's Avatar
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    Default Re: How'd this happen?

    If i hadn't been made such a generous offer on my 'used' Ellis "A" style price by Trevor Moyles at TAMCO UK,i'd still only have 2 mandolins. However,they were both F5 styles & i'd wanted an "A style to go with my Weber "Fern",that's why i originally bought my Weber "Beartooth" Oval hole "A" style. That ended up with a warped neck,so i traded it in for my Lebeda 'Special' = 2 x F5 styles. Trevor offered me my Ellis at a price that i couldn't refuse (although i did at first),then i decided to buy it as maybe i'd never have the chance again = a good decision !,
    Ivan
    Weber F-5 'Fern'.
    Lebeda F-5 "Special".
    Stelling Bellflower BANJO
    Tokai - 'Tele-alike'.
    Ellis DeLuxe "A" style.

  18. #15

    Default Re: How'd this happen?

    Quote Originally Posted by Henry Eagle View Post
    As to the OP's question, I believe your mandolins are still too cheap.
    Oh, I get it, I've been too financially responsible. I need to bet I'll not be around to need that $100K I have earmarked for my eighties. So my MK serves as the beater for my Kentucky 1500, that Heiden A relegates the SA to beater status, the A2Z enables me to bum through Ireland with my A-1, and my Arches goes to festivals while the Monteleone stays safe at home.
    Silverangel A
    Arches F style kit
    1913 Gibson A-1

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  20. #16
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    Default Re: How'd this happen?

    Quote Originally Posted by Br1ck View Post
    I've ended up with four mandolins. This just occurred to me. 2 1/2 years.

    Bought me an Eastman MD 305, quickly sold it and bought my Silverangel. That was it for a while, then the 199.00 Michael Kelly blowout came along. Nice, had an F style beater. Somewhere along the line decided I needed a quality F style. Bought the Arches kit. That quashed MAS. Wasn't going to buy another mandolin until I knew what the Arches kit was going to sound like.

    Then my brain fanaticised the F was going to be good, so what next? A vintage A of course, so I started looking at them. But still not buying. Mando three wasn't done.

    Well finished it, played in the white. It was nice to have three, but then I varnished it, and while it was drying, I was back to an unacceptable two. Hence, the A-1 came into my life. Back to three and the world was good again.

    But the Arches dried and I was up to four. Four seems excessive. Please, I need plausible reasons, and if you want to make a case for five, I'm listening, but it better be good.
    You don't need a reason ! If you can afford four and want four go for it ! If you want and can afford five, six or more and want or can afford them go for it ! But-----------you better be especially nice to your wife !

  21. #17

    Default Re: How'd this happen?

    I should have been more specific. Of course you don't need a reason, but a darned good explanation. But really, the next logical step would be like going from the $5 table to the $20 table at a casino.
    Silverangel A
    Arches F style kit
    1913 Gibson A-1

  22. #18
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    Default Re: How'd this happen?

    Can you feed and house your family? Can you pay your bills? If you said yes to both questions, you just answered your own question. Whether they cost $100 or $10,000, if they make you happy, all the better. Just my $.02.

  23. #19

    Default Re: How'd this happen?

    Quote Originally Posted by George R. Lane View Post
    Can you feed and house your family? Can you pay your bills? If you said yes to both questions, you just answered your own question. Whether they cost $100 or $10,000, if they make you happy, all the better. Just my $.02.
    Yes, and I'd like to keep it that way.
    Silverangel A
    Arches F style kit
    1913 Gibson A-1

  24. #20
    mandolin slinger Steve Ostrander's Avatar
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    Default Re: How'd this happen?

    I got a fever and the only thing that will cure it is more mandos....
    Living’ in the Mitten

  25. #21

    Default Re: How'd this happen?

    At one point, I had a dozen electric guitars. For whatever reason, that doesn’t appeal to me anymore. MAS is nonexistent. I’d like to upgrade to a Collings or something someday, but if I don’t, whatever. Since forgoing the horse trading, my playing has improved immensely.
    Soliver arm rested and Tone-Garded Northfield Model M with D’Addario NB 11.5-41, picked with a Wegen Bluegrass 1.4

  26. #22
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    Default Re: How'd this happen?

    I, sadly enough, am considering yet another bowlback. I already have 4, like them all, all were very inexpensive, this is the only one that would be a local purchase, and I can see and try it before paying. Plus, this would be the cheapest of the bunch even at the asking price, and figure I can get it even cheaper if I pay cash. Do I NEED another one? No. Will it affect my ability to pay my bills? Well, no, but I am just thinking in the grand scheme of things if it will get enough play time to justify the purchase. Still thinking, it's been on Craigslist for over a month, so I figure no rush.

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  28. #23
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    Default Re: How'd this happen?

    Even tho' there is no fee for joining a forum, i've found that membership becomes expensive. i would not advise you to join any banjo, fiddle resophonic, guitar, bass or other such forums unless you have more self control than the average bear or the monetary means.

  29. #24

    Default Re: How'd this happen?

    Quote Originally Posted by LadysSolo View Post
    I, sadly enough, am considering yet another bowlback. I already have 4, like them all, all were very inexpensive, this is the only one that would be a local purchase, and I can see and try it before paying. Plus, this would be the cheapest of the bunch even at the asking price, and figure I can get it even cheaper if I pay cash. Do I NEED another one? No. Will it affect my ability to pay my bills? Well, no, but I am just thinking in the grand scheme of things if it will get enough play time to justify the purchase. Still thinking, it's been on Craigslist for over a month, so I figure no rush.
    I think rather than buy another CL bowlback, you should buy a really good one. Better to have one really good one that's really wonderful than more of the same. That you are wondering if it will get played tells me a lot.
    Silverangel A
    Arches F style kit
    1913 Gibson A-1

  30. #25

    Default Re: How'd this happen?

    Quote Originally Posted by rcc56 View Post
    The next time the urge strikes, go outside and bow to the west 7 times. Spin around 3 times counterclockwise with your right little finger in your left ear, then twice clockwise with your index finger in your right ear. Drink exactly 2.5 ounces of coconut juice and say the following words 17 times: "I do not want another mandolin . . . I do not want another mandolin . . . I do not want another mandolin . . ."

    This will not cure your MAS, but when your neighbors see you they will call the guys in the white coats and you will not be able to order anything for at least 48 hours. Perhaps by then, the fit will have passed . . . Until the next time . . .

    Or else you will become like soliver: " . . . the next 2 [or 3] that I want . . . oval hole, flat top, 'dola, octave. Thinking about building, too." Sounds like he can no longer distinguish the difference between 2 and 5 . . .
    You`re so funny 56.
    think Brick and Oliver need to attend a luthier`s workshop to get over the Mando blues.Incidentally, taking the plunge again on my fifth mandolin by Ken an El Fantasma, that he will start this fall.It will be entirely yellow,A two pint symmetrical El Fantasma, with sinker redwood top and sugar maple back and sides, will ship to Australia mid year 2019, and regardless of what kind of top that Ken places of SA on Fantasma mandolins, these all sound great and have a wonderful sound, judging by the sound of the videos, of happy owners, in possession of these wonderful sounding instruments here at the M.C.If you are a musician in a band more than one type of instrument is ideal for studio recording, achieving different sonic textures,blending in with different voices, of other instruments and providing contrast on instrumental tunes without the handicap of always using the same instrument.Have good reasons to justify your needs in procuring a different instrument(s) and this will satisfy your urge to attain the best that you select.What an adventure!

    Tan

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