Advice On Finding A Jazz Mandolin

[dcoventry]

Now that was uncalled for I've lusted after one of those for a long time.

All I can say is that all the lust you have had is well founded. It's a great instrument that really covers a huge range of styles and is quite flexible.

Get one, you deserve it! Sadly, RARELY do they come up for sale used. I was incredibly lucky to get mine that way for a great deal. However, my wife nearly shredded me in the wood chipper. All in all, glad I took the chance!

[swinginmandolins]

I did find a Gibson 1929 AO at music 6000 in Olympia today and was not impressed for the $1600 price tag. It could have used a bridge fitting and a higher action though as it fretted out past the 5th unless you went super light and you couldn't even dig in enough to engage the top.

[swinginmandolins]

Paris Swing did have some other models, at least one of which has F-holes.

Seattle Craigslist for $600 right now. I don't care for dealing with Craiglist, and this doesn't grab me enough to try.

I'm picky I know..

[swinginmandolins]

All I can say is that all the lust you have had is well founded. It's a great instrument that really covers a huge range of styles and is quite flexible.

Get one, you deserve it! Sadly, RARELY do they come up for sale used. I was incredibly lucky to get mine that way for a great deal. However, my wife nearly shredded me in the wood chipper. All in all, glad I took the chance!

I was offered one right after I got the first Holst, so there was no way. Don't regret it though, cause I would be whining about loosing it, instead of whining I lost the Holsts. Maybe someday. Just not the year we decide to buy a house.

[dcoventry]

I was offered one right after I got the first Holst, so there was no way. Don't regret it though, cause I would be whining about loosing it, instead of whining I lost the Holsts. Maybe someday. Just not the year we decide to buy a house.

House? Really? You think that's more important? Well, ok, I guess for some folks that may be the case, but jeez, priorities and all.

Really, really, be patient and wait, your right.

[swinginmandolins]

House? Really? You think that's more important? Well, ok, I guess for some folks that may be the case, but jeez, priorities and all.

Really, really, be patient and wait, your right.

And to think I sold the custom for the house and the other Holst 2 point to pay for my wife being off when we had our daughter, other than being unemployed then and a stay at home dad now I must be pretty messed up....

[dcoventry]

And to think I sold the custom for the house and the other Holst 2 point to pay for my wife being off when we had our daughter, other than being unemployed then and a stay at home dad now I must be pretty messed up....

It's a terrible thinh when life get's in the way of our hobbies.

Sadly, I myself traded a whole bunch of stock for a kitchen remodel. But I didn't sell the mandos. Crazy? Oh yes, no argument there.

[swinginmandolins]

I don't see it as a bad thing plenty of mandos out there. This year will just have to be a lean mando year.

[Shelby Eicher]

To me the best "Jazz mandolin" is the best mandolin you can afford. I like my old Gibson F5s and my son loves his Ellis. We both like a tone bar F5 because of it's focused tonal properties. If you prefer an oval tone I would suggest looking under that rock. It's like, I want a piece of fruit. Should a have an apple, a mango or some strawberries? Gosh, which one do I like best?
Best of luck.
Shelby

[mrmando]

Oval hole Paris Swing on the L.A. CL for $250 right now.

http://austin.craigslist.org/msg/3740280347.html

Too bad about the A0 ... friend of mine has one that sounds fantastic, but not every one of them will, of course.

[rb3868]

The now discontinued Paris Swing John Jorgenson Gypsy Jazz mando is a great choice, although it only comes as an oval hole. Mine is pictured in my avatar. Great all solid mando with a wonderful neck and great tone. They show up now and then for under $500.

so a NOS one at a tiny store in Michigan awhile ago. I did like the sound, but not so much the feel. JJ is a great guy and an amazing multi-instrumentalist

[Verne Andru]

so a NOS one at a tiny store in Michigan awhile ago. I did like the sound, but not so much the feel. JJ is a great guy and an amazing multi-instrumentalist

Neck's are more of a modern C or D shape with a wider fretboard and a bit more of a radius than on traditional mandolins. I actually prefer it. PS were designed by Gregg Rich who is the designer behind The Loar guitars and mandolins. I find necks on The Loar and Paris Swing's similar.

IIRC Paris Swing mando's didn't have the QC The Loars now have, so factory setup was horrible on mine. But with a proper setup [bridge proper fitted to the top, nut slots deepened and frets leveled/dressed] its true potential starts to shine through. It's all solid woods with a great ebony fretboard. I really love the sound - notes seem to pop out of it.

I had the good fortune of seeing John a few years back with the quartet part of his quintet in a small community center [small church] that was done up like a Paris restaurant. Amazing band. Amazing guitar player. But it was his clarinet playing that really blew me away - I've never heard anyone hold a note on a wind instrument as long or as clearly as what he did that night.