#1
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Anyone own, owned, or have played a Gold Tone six-string mandolin?
(Or mando-guitar, or manditar, or whatever you want to call it if you're a mandolin purist shaking your fist right now...)
Thinking about adding one of these to the toolbox as an instrument that can add some mandolin-ish texture to recordings without any kind of learning curve. Leaning towards the less-expensive A-style model, but the F-style one does look pretty cool. The latter does come with a pickup installed, not sure how often I'd use something like that though. I do have a really cheap Rogue mandolin that one of my kids or my wife got me for some occasion in the past, which I've tried putting in a guitar-friendly ukulele tuning before, but it's ultimately just a cheap mandolin and I didn't love the sound and it hasn't really inspired me to play it regardless of tuning. I ordered some new strings to see if that helps any, but I'm not super optimistic. I like the idea of the wider fretboard and E to e tuning of the six-string style, and I really like some of the sounds I've heard from it in a couple demos and this video in particular: I'd love to get that kind of a sound and tone from an instrument, even if it's a bit of a niche thing that isn't a "real" mandolin. I feel like I'd be able to leverage two decades of guitar playing a lot easier and quicker on something like that and have it sound convincing than hack on a cheap mandolin... Thoughts? |
#2
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I played an F-6 a couple years ago at Elderly Instruments. I have had other Gold Tone instruments over the years, so I liked the quality of the instrument. But, as I played it, it just didn't click with how/what I like to play. Maybe it was the octave thing, or maybe it was the scale length (which I doubt, because I love my Pono guilele). Maybe it was me and I needed more time with it. I just don't know. I think you need to try one for yourself and see if it works for you. Sorry I couldn't help more.
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Susie Taylors: 914 • K24ce • 414 • GSMeK+ Pono Guileles: Mango Baritone Deluxe • Mahogany Baritone Have been finger-pickin' guitar since 1973! Love my mountain dulcimers too! (7 Mountain Dulcimers) Last edited by ifret; 08-17-2021 at 07:11 PM. |
#3
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I have a place in Titusville, FL, around the corner from Goldtone and have gotten to know the people there a bit. Even played some gigs with one of the guys and jammed with the owner at a local open mic. Good people
I tried an F12 in their showroom and while the double course strings made it sound more like a mandolin, it was very difficult to play. I know I tried a 6 string at one point and it was much more playable, but I don't think it's worth the price. It's still a pretty cheap laminate chinese made manditar. Maybe $300 new would be more reasonable in my view, but that's just my view. |
#4
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#5
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I’ve played both the Gold Tone and the version Gibson was making for a while, and the conclusion I came to is that it was basically a crappy little guitar. They don’t really ring out like a mandolin or fill in like a guitar.
You could call it a “worst of both worlds” situation. I’ve played multiple examples of both brands, and this sort of built-in mediocrity seems to be characteristic of the instrument, because all of them were sort of stifled-sounding. So I can’t recommend them, frankly. It’s one of those things that seems like it should be a great idea but really isn’t. Hope that makes sense. Wade Hampton Miller |
#6
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Have you considered an Emerald Amicus? Lots of love for them in the CF section of the Forum. Full disclosure: I have one incoming...
Phil
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Solo Fingerstyle CDs: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back (2021) One Size Does Not Fit All (2018) I play Crosby, Emerald, Larrivée, Lowden, Rainsong & Tacoma guitars. Check out my Guitar Website. See guitar photos & info at my Guitars page. |
#7
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#8
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Ataylor, I’ve played some recent examples and they haven’t gotten any better.
whm |
#9
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I’m thinking based on your review and the others here, I may just wait and see if one of these turns up at a local store or somewhere I could check one out. I’m now wondering if this is something I really want to spend on anyways — I’d probably rather put the money towards something I’d use more often like a Fender Vibro Champ or Princeton Reverb… |
#10
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Definitely try before you buy. You’ll probably be sorry if you don’t.
Of course, if you’re really curious and the retailer is easy going about returns, that’s a possibility. But I think there’s a reason that they haven’t swept the nation. whm |
#11
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As a dealer, this is disheartening to hear. I haven't played one and as yet had no inquiries about them. Any opinions about how it stacks up as a plug-in?
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#12
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I think they use the same soundboard transducer on many instruments. It's basic and fine, but not what most of us would consider pro level. I'll be at the factory in a week or two and will see if they have a 6 I can put my hands on. They didn't when I was down for 5 months last winter. Their instruments would come in the door, get set up and out the door to dealers really quickly.
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