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Thread: Gibson K 4 Mandocello

  1. #1
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    Default Gibson K 4 Mandocello

    For those of you who never had the opportunity to hear what these rare ancient beasts sound like: Here is a vid of my K4.
    Cheers,
    Bob

    Ellis F5 Special Deluxe custom
    Anton Krutz F5
    Lawrence Smart H 5 Mandola
    Gibson K 2 Mandocello
    Northfield mahogany arch top Octave Mandolin

    guitars, banjo, dobro, weissenborn, pedal steel, fretless bass, upright bass

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    Holger 

  3. #2

    Default Re: Gibson K 4 Mandocello

    Link no workee.

  4. #3
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    Default Re: Gibson K 4 Mandocello

    "An error occurred" and it sent me to a youtube of SNL Weekend Update, pretty funny, so thanks. Hope you can reset the connection, meanwhile I will sit and admire my own 1911 Gibson K4. You probably play better than I do: I'm not putting my self on the website!
    They are beauties aren't they!
    jim

  5. #4
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    Default Re: Gibson K 4 Mandocello

    Mando-Bob, I see you are in Germany; when our Oregon Mandolin Orchestra played at Bruchsal, Holger Paetz loaned me his K1 and showed me his K4. I wonder if you know each other--not just because Deutschland, but because of Cafe, Bruchsal and K4's. I do hope you get the video working, I'd love to see & hear it.
    jim

  6. #5
    Registered User Gunnar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson K 4 Mandocello



    Here's the video. You have to use the piece of film button, the YouTube logo button doesn't work.
    This is an amazing instrument!
    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/

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  8. #6

    Default Re: Gibson K 4 Mandocello

    Sounds like a beast from the past - powerful and alive. Very nice.
    Color me green with envy.

  9. #7
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    Default Re: Gibson K 4 Mandocello

    As I thought: a better player than I! You get a great sound out of the same instrument (I have a similar vintage K4), and you do a LOT of all-string cording. I struggle with the single-string lines in Bach Suites and our orchestral parts (Mozart, Schubert, Corelli). But it's good to know what lies ahead if I keep working at it. Curious what string gauge? I need slightly lighter (C .070) for my old fingers; I wonder if I went back to 74's would I get a bigger sound.
    Anyway, beautiful instrument, well played!
    jim

  10. #8

    Default Re: Gibson K 4 Mandocello

    Your playing sounds great
    The instrument sounds great
    and man that KM 84 really captures the sound on all your recordings. A single mic with no processing it sounds amazing.
    Girouard Concert A5
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  11. #9
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson K 4 Mandocello

    Just yet another proof that 1921 (slightly pre-Loar era) was a great year for these oval hole instruments. Gibson got their act together. I hve yet to hear a '21 Gibson that did not sound great. This Kp-4 is amazing.
    Jim

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  12. #10
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    Default Re: Gibson K 4 Mandocello

    Thank you all for responding, especially Gunnar, who made the movie work again. Thanks !

    @Jim Imhoff: Playing Bach , Corelli ... I'll bet you are a much better player than I am.
    string gauge: I use D'Addario J78 (022 - 034 - 048 - 074)
    I met Holger some years ago when he purchased a Snakehead Loar Era from me. Funny enough we are back in contact now via this particular thread.

    @Chuck: Thank you very much. Oh yes, these old KM84s are the best. Running a studio I have a nice collection of fine mics, but nothing beats the KM84s on stringed instruments.
    Ellis F5 Special Deluxe custom
    Anton Krutz F5
    Lawrence Smart H 5 Mandola
    Gibson K 2 Mandocello
    Northfield mahogany arch top Octave Mandolin

    guitars, banjo, dobro, weissenborn, pedal steel, fretless bass, upright bass

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  14. #11
    Registered User Gunnar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson K 4 Mandocello

    Glad to help
    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/

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