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Hey guys and gals. Happy Mothers day, to all it applies to.
Since I started my jazz lessons, my fingers are moving better. the other day I picked up my mandolin, to add some tracks to a song, and it was easier to play. So I played it some more. For some reason, the jazz scales helped my fingers to better scale the tiny mandolin. So, I started looking around for a better one. Mine is an entry level epiphone, Think I got it new in the early 90's for about 150. I searched the new gretsch roots section, and their mandolins don't have a pick up built in, and I would really like one that does. Any suggestions for the next level up? Not going above lets say 600 new. Which would hopefully get me a used one at about 300 or so. What I don't like about my current one is that it doesn't project acoustically. You can hear it, but its not very loud. Also, no pickup, so in a live setting, I am having to mike it. Also, even though I know the frets are close together, buy the time i get over the 12th fret, its starts to sound dead/flat. I raised the bridge, but its still quiet up there. So, any suggestions? I know if I add the electronics, that takes away from the acoustic quality, in that price range. So I am not looking to get what Bill Monroe used, but better than I have now. Please don't make me talk to the people in Guitar Center of sam ash, they shake when you ask them about mandolins and banjos.
Thanks!
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Never pet a dog that is foaming at the mouth.
I do have one of the Epiphone MM-50E mandolins and am very happy with it. Unplugged it has a lot of volume. The pickup is moveable forward and back. It also has controls mounted on the pickgaurd for Treble, Bass and Volume. There are 4 adjusting screws also in the pickgaurd that you can balance each set of strings volume with. Very nice feature.
Unlike the review in the link above, the tuners on mine are just fine and it stays in tune just great. In looking at my label inside, it says MM-50VN. The VN I think represents vintage?
Pop's
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I was wrong once in my life but I was right and just thought I was wrong. www.comptonbridges.com
Thanks guys I saw that. I read some reviews, and Worknot is the first to say it sounds good acoustically. If its one that the big stores stock, I will play them. Thats why I posted here. I don't put a lot of stock in the reviews of store bought products on sellers websites. you guys usually set it straight.
. I did play an ovation back in the 90's when I was looking. It played great, but the fiberglass back was really quiet when not plugged in. I would practice with it unplugged mostly, but I have been bin spots in the past when people wanted me to join in the band, and unless you got a great sound person,. miking is not the way for me. I move too much.
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Never pet a dog that is foaming at the mouth.
I don't know if you get Crafter brand instruments in the USA, but I have a Crafter mandolin that sounds okay unplugged and really fabulous mic'd up. It comes at a very reasonable price, too.
I'm not a good mandolin player, but some far more experienced mando players have expressed surprise at the quality and sound of my Crafter.
I have also played a 12-string and a jumbo Crafter guitar and was knocked out by their quality. Wish I could have bought both of them.
(This may sound like I have some commercial interest in Crafter instruments - I don't!)
I played mandolin in a group at a 2 weekend a month gig for 5 years. I have all levels of
cost including a very old Gibson F5 in perfect condition. Somewhere I picked up a Washburn F5 with a pre amp. Wednesday is out 27th anniversary and Momma has a "big gift" can't wait.
__________________ Everything is not enough
nothing is too much to bear
where you been is good and gone
all you keep's the getting there
I've been playing mandolin actively for about 20 years now. My main stage instrument is the discontinued Fender FM62E, which has a built-in piezo system.
Also, Freddy, you mis-read the info on the new Gretsch Roots mandolins. One of them DOES have a pickup built in-- it's the G9320 New Yorker Deluxe. Not quite available yet, but will be on the street soon. What's more, it should be in your specified price range.
I've been playing mandolin actively for about 20 years now. My main stage instrument is the discontinued Fender FM62E, which has a built-in piezo system.
Also, Freddy, you mis-read the info on the new Gretsch Roots mandolins. One of them DOES have a pickup built in-- it's the G9320 New Yorker Deluxe. Not quite available yet, but will be on the street soon. What's more, it should be in your specified price range.
Thanks. i am looking into them. The gretsch isn't out yet, and it looks like fender has a similar model to the FM62.
__________________
Never pet a dog that is foaming at the mouth.
I played mandolin in a group at a 2 weekend a month gig for 5 years. I have all levels of
cost including a very old Gibson F5 in perfect condition. Somewhere I picked up a Washburn F5 with a pre amp. Wednesday is out 27th anniversary and Momma has a "big gift" can't wait.
Cant find the washburn F5 for sale. Where would you place it, beginner, intermediate, professional?
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Never pet a dog that is foaming at the mouth.
The Washburn has a full preamp control plate on the side like a guitar. I got it about
7 years ago from David Starr at Starrs Guitars in Cedaredge Colorado. I know I paid less than 500 for it with the case. I tend noy to carry my Gibson Loar F5 out and while I have a few more choices I usually take the Washburn. I would put it at intermediate sound and playability and looks.
__________________ Everything is not enough
nothing is too much to bear
where you been is good and gone
all you keep's the getting there
I'm a novice to mandolin and realized that I need to either install a pickup on mine or get an electric one. Several weeks ago, I bought an old Kay Kelvinator headstock mando off Flea-bay, and immediately found out that it was OK as a starter, but that's about all. I can deal with that for now, but I want to play it live. I tried it on an acoustic gig a couple weeks ago with a mic right in front of it, and it was OK, but that's not an ideal situation.
The LR Baggs mando pickup I can get wholesale for $95, or I could spend a bit more and get something electric, perhaps used. It seems like one of those Epiphones might fit the bill. Any suggestions? I'm on a budget-as usual. I want it to sound good acoustically as well.
Anyone try the electrics? Eastwood makes a Mandocaster. It would not help me acoustically at all, but you can plug it into a regular amp. Theres a guy on youtube using one with distortion and delay. i am guessing that may be against the grain of most mandolin players.
__________________
Never pet a dog that is foaming at the mouth.
I played mandolin in a group at a 2 weekend a month gig for 5 years. I have all levels of
cost including a very old Gibson F5 in perfect condition. Somewhere I picked up a Washburn F5 with a pre amp. Wednesday is out 27th anniversary and Momma has a "big gift" can't wait.
Congrats on 27 years. Sorry I didn't catch that earlier, was too busy doing the research. Thats a long time. Good for you! Wonder what the surprise is. Good luck!
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Never pet a dog that is foaming at the mouth.
I haven't tried the Eastwood but I have an Epiphone Mandobird.
The Mandobird can sound OK through an EQ pedal with some delay and reverb added.
I usually play bluegrass and folk with acoustic mandolin, and mic them up if I'm recording.
I think I would just fit a pickup to one of my acoustics if I felt the need.
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Any road will take you there.
Anyone familiar with the Big Muddy Mandolin? They have flat tops, and from what iread, flat tops are fuller sounding, but the arch tops project the highs better. They have some that start around 400, and they will put in a pickup for about 140.
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Never pet a dog that is foaming at the mouth.
The Big Muddys look like a good bet to me. Army - Navy style flat top, all solid woods.
I've never heard of em till I Googled em tho.
They look similar the the old Mid Missouri's, which were fine sounding instr at a good price level. Flatiron also used to make a nice little Army/Navy.
This style gives good sound for the buck. They are also popular with Irish music guys.
Take a look at Eastman as well. No electric models, but you can get a Fishman replacement bridge. That combined with a good preamp like the Baggs PADI will get you good acoustic tone. Thats what I use with my Alvarez A, a pretty decent quality plywood A model.
I would stay with A models. Kentucky also makes a decent solid wood A model for not much $. With an F style, you pay extra for the scroll , binding, and bling. Not enough diff in tone at your price level to matter.
The Big Muddys look like a good bet to me. Army - Navy style flat top, all solid woods.
I've never heard of em till I Googled em tho.
They look similar the the old Mid Missouri's, which were fine sounding instr at a good price level. Flatiron also used to make a nice little Army/Navy.
This style gives good sound for the buck. They are also popular with Irish music guys.
Take a look at Eastman as well. No electric models, but you can get a Fishman replacement bridge. That combined with a good preamp like the Baggs PADI will get you good acoustic tone. Thats what I use with my Alvarez A, a pretty decent quality plywood A model.
I would stay with A models. Kentucky also makes a decent solid wood A model for not much $. With an F style, you pay extra for the scroll , binding, and bling. Not enough diff in tone at your price level to matter.
Thanks, thats some good info. You don think the flat tops have a different sound from the arched tops? I am not joining a blue grass band any time soon, but would use it for that as well. The few east mans I have seen were more expensive, out of my range at least. perhaps they have some i haven seen. I emailed the big muddy group, and the guy said he will call me in the boring to discuss what they have. i thought that was a good pitch.
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Never pet a dog that is foaming at the mouth.
Any mandolin players here?
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