I’d like to share an experience that might inform someone else on their quest towards whatever musical goals they pursue.
I’ve played mandolin for a long time, have owned—and sold—numerous fine instruments. (I know this is starting out like a very familiar story.) I’ll turn 73 in a couple of months. If I ever had a peak in my abilities it passed by unnoticed by me. And I don’t think I can reasonably expect that I’ll be getting much better...at anything, probably.
Nevertheless, I am enjoying playing as much or more than I ever have (or can remember!).
I bought an Eastman octave mandolin last year from a great Cafe member (thanks, Kurt!). For starters let me say what a great value for the money the MDO305 is! I found sweetness in the Eastman—especially capoed up—that I hadn’t known before. This made me wonder how much I might enjoy a really good quality OM from one of the big makers.
I’ll skip over the fun I had searching and finding a gently used Weber Gallatin F-OM right down the road from me, out here in the hinterlands of Montana, at my friend Bruce Weber’s new home at Montana Lutherie on the shores of Flathead Lake.
This mandolin has a 20” scale, which seems to be the perfect length for me. This thing is a cannon, capoed or not! It’s just a pleasure to play, but the real payoff for me Is discovering that the gorgeous sustain of this OM makes all my familiar tunes sound better than they ever have. Learning new tunes is also more satisfying since they sound great even PLAYED SLOWLY. This is huge for me because when learning new tunes at a snail’s tempo on my regular (fine) mandolins, I often found myself hurrying the process “to hear what it sounds like played up to speed.” As a result, I think my learning process is improving along with my general playing techniques.
I can’t say everyone would have the same experience I’m having. But, you might. If you are thinking about trying an octave—or other long scale mando-family instrument—go for it! I can easily recommend the Eastman MDO, and my Weber (good luck finding one like this). I’m having the musical time of my life! Maybe you will, too.
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