who makes the best sounding mandolin with that Gibson voice for 1k or less.
who makes the best sounding mandolin with that Gibson voice for 1k or less.
I've heard that Kentucky mandolins usually have a Gibson like tone
Mandolin: Kentucky KM150
Other instruments: way too many, and yet, not nearly enough.
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good morning Gunnar. but which model Kentucky has that sound that most sounds like a Gibson.
So many variables. So many Gibson voices. You can still get good deals on A models from the teens for well under a grand if you're patient. They don't sound like Fs, but they do sound wonderful.
You can occasionally find a Flatiron A-style (from when they were owned by Gibson) or a Summit (whose builder Paul Schneider used to work for Gibson) at the top end of that budget if you monitor the classifieds and act decisively when one surfaces.
1924 Gibson A Snakehead
2005 National RM-1
2007 Hester A5
2009 Passernig A5
2015 Black A2-z
2010 Black GBOM
2017 Poe Scout
2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
2018 Vessel TM5
2019 Hogan F5
NFI, but I happen to know that there is a '93 Festival A for sale at Guitar Center right now for $1079. Been keeping an eye on it for a few weeks now but I'm really not in a position to take advantage of it.
https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Fl...-A-Mandolin.gc
Mandolin: Kentucky KM150
Other instruments: way too many, and yet, not nearly enough.
My blog: https://theoffgridmusician.music.blog/
My YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChF...yWuaTrtB4YORAg
My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/africanbanjogunnar/
Free backing tracks:
https://backingtrackers.wordpress.com/
I have a Kentucky KM150 .... But having never heard a Gibson in person before, I can't really help verify.
I’d avoid that Flatiron as it has an integrated fingerboard. Those can be had for cheaper and in my opinion don’t sound as good. A Kentucky KM900 Or 950 used should set you straight or a flatiron A from approx 99-2001 will be made in the Gibson factory. Recently there was one in the classifieds for under 1k.
I have an Kentucky km-805, does that have the so called Gibson sound ?.
Agree with Josh. KM 1000s can occasionally be had used around that price point as well.
Howard Morris is making some nice looking mandolins around that price point, but I’m not sure if his are voiced to be in the Gibson tone camp or more “modern” (think Collings, Eastman) camp. If someone who’s played a Morris doesn’t chime in try emailing or calling him. Though I’ve not yet purchased one of his, I’ve corresponded with him a couple of times, and he seems like a very pleasant and helpful gentleman.
Used Silverangel Econo models can be found around that range. I love mine, and haven’t been able to talk myself into selling it despite mostly playing my Kelley A5 now. It falls into the traditional camp, IMO, when compared to a Collings MT and an Eastman 315, but isn’t exactly Gibson tone, as the SA has a better bass response than Gibson’s I’ve played. Ken, too, is very pleasant to deal with. Good luck in your search!
Chuck
People without deep pockets have many options. If you're looking for that Gibson sound look for an older A-9 in the brown finish. They sometimes sell for not much more than you're talking about and I'm surprised we haven't had a chorus of "Well, my Shmergel has that Gibson sound!" When I bought my F-5G several years ago at Mandolin Bros. it wasn't as much the sound of the thing as it was the woof I felt in my chest when I chopped a G chord. I've owned Flatirons that weren't as robust. That doesn't mean I wouldn't buy another brand, buy the best you can afford. All of us chase an elusive sound until we find it. Heavier strings, different picks, a Tone-gard, they can all change the way the mandolin sounds. Setup is everything but you have to go out and play mandolins to understand what it is you're looking for.
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
And I should add, if you can't tell the difference between different brands and price ranges consider yourself extremely lucky.
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
I should just buy this $899.00 Gibson A-9 myself but I'm looking for two other instruments right now.
https://reverb.com/item/25996761-gib..._source=google
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
I went to TMS on just such a quest. Played the Kentucky 900. Very nice, but not a Gibson. So far in both my guitar and mandolin experience, nothing sounds like a Gibson but a Gibson. The F9s I played did Gibson in spades.
If you can settle for just an outstanding mandolin value, get a used Silverangel.
Silverangel A
Arches F style kit
1913 Gibson A-1
Howard Morris builds a wonderful mandolin. His A5's are $995 new. I would characterize them as Gibson-esque, but definitely having their own tonal identity. Very dry and woody (with great low end) as a whole. I have a mandolin being built by Matt Ruhland for more than 3x the price as we speak, but my Morris isn't leaving my possession any time soon (if ever). Howard is indeed a great guy, very easy to work with, and will stand behind his work for his or your life time.
I like that, very dry & woody. that also works for some banjos.
In the $400-1000 price range, there is no substitute for playing the instrument and getting to know it. I've had Gibsons and Webers come in for setups that were really not very impressive, and $300 Washburns come in that sounded amazing. Wood instruments are naturally variable, so it's a search for an individual instrument, not a brand that you're really after. Good luck and have fun!
I've just had a two day mandolin playing binge of several major brands. My findings? At this time, the only mandolin that stands out as worthy of my money is the used Ellis at Gryphon. I just don't have that mush worthy money. I played Collings, Northfield, and Weber mostly. They were good mandolins all, but what I have already is good mandolins.
I'd try to find every Eastman 315 and 515 I could, and a Kentucky 900 or better. Chose from those. Easier said than done. But once in a while a 315 will just jump out from the pack.
Silverangel A
Arches F style kit
1913 Gibson A-1
aka: Spencer
Silverangel Econo A #429
Soliver #001 Hand Crafted Pancake
Soliver Hand Crafted Mandolins and Mandolin Armrests
Armrests Here -- Mandolins Here
"You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage
to lose sight of the shore, ...and also a boat with no holes in it.” -anonymous
I think you are best served by going to play mandolins to see what you like.
All instruments are different, even from the same maker.
Some Gibsons don't have that "Gibson" sound.
Some Gibsons are awesome, and some stink.
You really have to play a bunch of mandolins to find what sounds good to you in real life.
You might find that you actually like a different kind of sound when you are playing.
Mandolins: Northfield 5-Bar Artist Model "Old Dog", J Bovier F5 Special, Gibson A-00 (1940)
Fiddles: 1920s Strad copy, 1930s Strad copy, Liu Xi T20, Liu Xi T19+ Dark.
Guitars: Taylor 514c (1995), Gibson Southern Jumbo (1940s), Gibson L-48 (1940s), Les Paul Custom (1978), Fender Strat (Black/RWFB) (1984), Fender Strat (Candy Apple Red/MFB) (1985).
Sitars: Hiren Roy KP (1980s), Naskar (1970s), Naskar (1960s).
Misc: 8 Course Lute (L.K.Brown)
Have you played a bad Harvey era mandolin?
Gibson certainly has had a long history of inconsistent quality, but I can't recall anyone saying they played a bad one recently.
I could tell you a thing or two about 60s J 45s though. Two in ten are great.
Silverangel A
Arches F style kit
1913 Gibson A-1
Look more closely at the A-9 on Reverb, it does not have an integrated fingerboard. I used to own a first generation A-9 like this one. It had plenty of bark and tone that one associates with Gibson. I believe they had (still do?) a Corian nut that was rather sharp at the edges. I had to do a little filing to smooth out but no big deal.
Old Hometown, Cabin Fever String Band
Mike did you buy it ?. we won't tell your wife. your secret is safe on this web site. 899.00 div 12 = 74.91 a month.
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