Mandolin owners - lemme know what you got! - Page 2

patchmcg · #16 05-20-2009, 02:03 PM

I've got a new mando coming in the next week. I let you know once it's here. I'll give you one guess what the brand is.

cpmusic · #17 05-20-2009, 10:16 PM

I have an '81 Flatiron 1N. I bought it used about 15 years ago for less than the price cap mentioned in this thread, but I have a feeling it'd cost more now.

It's as plain-looking as the day is long and its tone is less refined than that of a decent A- or F-style mando, but it has its own charm. I replaced the original tuners and had the ebony nut replaced with bone several years ago.

I also have a Flatiron 3MC octave mandolin, but that's not quite what's being looked for in this thread.

fatt-dad · #18 05-21-2009, 10:28 AM

cpmusic: I also have a 1N. Mine is an 84 and I love it. These little mandolins are loud and very fundamental and must be used with light gauge strings (I use GHS A-250s). There's actually a heel block sticker that shows the correct string gauges for the instrument. Unfortunatly many folks just put on any old string set and they get a neck bow.

f-d

PorkPieGuy · #19 05-21-2009, 01:36 PM

I played a washburn A-style and a samick f-style today. I wasn't really happy with either.

I'm considering the previously-mentioned rover or a laminate morgan monroe/rocky top that i like.

I'm assuming that the same "rules" apply when it comes solid wood vs. laminate. Solid wood generally has better tone but laminate is less prone to cracking and other humidity issues.

However, I plan on picking the best playing and sounding mando to my ears within my price range, no matter what it's made of.

PorkPieGuy · #20 05-21-2009, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatt-dad

Just so you know the Rover is a pressed arch. It's not a carved arch. If you like it then it's a good mandolin. The lest expensive carved top mandolin is the Eastman.

f-d

Description from Elderly on the Rover:
ROVER RM-75 MANDOLIN
F-MODEL - DARK BROWN - Great economy traditional F-model mandolin. All solid woods: carved spruce top w/ f-holes, carved maple back & sides. Tone bar bracing. Maple neck w/ adjustable rod & rosewood fingerboard w/ pearl dot inlay & scooped extension. Fancy peghead inlay. Adjustable rosewood bridge. Nickel hardware. Bound body, neck and peghead. Rich dark brown gloss lacquer finish. Imported from China.

Is a carved top the same thing as a carved arch?

cpmusic · #21 05-22-2009, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatt-dad

cpmusic: I also have a 1N. Mine is an 84 and I love it. These little mandolins are loud and very fundamental and must be used with light gauge strings (I use GHS A-250s). There's actually a heel block sticker that shows the correct string gauges for the instrument. Unfortunatly many folks just put on any old string set and they get a neck bow.

I also use GHS light gauge strings. I've never looked at the heel block, but the mando came with lights, and it seemed to me that without an adjustable truss rod, it shouldn't have any more tension than that. Besides, as you say, the 1N is loud even with lights. I used to play mine with a singing group at the Renaissance Faire several years ago, and no one ever had trouble hearing it.

BTW, I sent info about my 1N a while back to someone on the Mandolin Cafe board who was collecting info about pre-Gibson Flatirons. Was that you? I'm just curious. I have less time for the web these days, so I haven't been 'round to that board for a long time.

raulb · #22 05-22-2009, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PorkPieGuy

Is a carved top the same thing as a carved arch?

Yes on a F-style.

Most other styles are flat like a guitar, not carved (I am sure there are exceptions).

As with my Martin,* there may be a slight arch to both the top and back like a guitar, but since the mando's strings are usually attached to the tailpiece, the arch would not be for the same reason, but probably for strength.

* = a Martin mando does not have a flat top like most A-style mandolins. I don't know how to describe it except to say it is "bent." That is, the top is joined just behind the bridge and the body at the tail is thinner than it is at the neck.

stratokatsu · #23 05-22-2009, 10:43 AM

Mine is an A style Epiphone. To make it look classy, the headstock actually says, "The Epiphone." It's acoustic/electric and for about 2/3rds of your price range, sounds pretty decent now that the original strings have been changed off and some good ones put on.

I refuse to take a picture of myself playing it because I'm so danged big, it looks like instrument abuse to see me with a mando.

PorkPieGuy · #24 05-23-2009, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stratokatsu

I refuse to take a picture of myself playing it because I'm so danged big, it looks like instrument abuse to see me with a mando.

That's not as bad as me...when I play an ovation guitar, it scoops up so bad I look like I'm playing a dobro!

fatt-dad · #25 05-24-2009, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpmusic

I also use GHS light gauge strings. I've never looked at the heel block, but the mando came with lights, and it seemed to me that without an adjustable truss rod, it shouldn't have any more tension than that. Besides, as you say, the 1N is loud even with lights. I used to play mine with a singing group at the Renaissance Faire several years ago, and no one ever had trouble hearing it.

BTW, I sent info about my 1N a while back to someone on the Mandolin Cafe board who was collecting info about pre-Gibson Flatirons. Was that you? I'm just curious. I have less time for the web these days, so I haven't been 'round to that board for a long time.

cp: Yes, that was me. I gave up on my pre-Gibson Flatiron mandolin archive project. Too busy learning fingerstyle blues, being a dad, husband, sitting on the front porch and working. I do love them though. . .

f-d

cpmusic · #26 05-25-2009, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatt-dad

cp: Yes, that was me. I gave up on my pre-Gibson Flatiron mandolin archive project. Too busy learning fingerstyle blues, being a dad, husband, sitting on the front porch and working. I do love them though. . .

No problem. As I said, I haven't been to that board in a long time anyway. I was just curious.

Stixx · #27 05-25-2009, 06:40 AM

I traded my Collings F type for a guitar recently and when I get the urge to get another mando it will be an Eastman. Solid carved tops even on the lesser priced ones and the necks are flawless. Nothing will feel quite like my Collings but at six or seven grand the Eastmans are a much better choice for some one who plays as little as I do .

I have seen Eastman F types go for 350 used.

patchmcg · #28 05-26-2009, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patchmcg

I've got a new mando coming in the next week. I let you know once it's here. I'll give you one guess what the brand is.

Here it is. It came on Friday! I've put up more pics and a better descritpion on this thread HERE.

A very rare (maybe 20-25 made) Ovation MM-68-LTD "Book" Mandolin