Date: Thu, 10 Jun 2004 19:51:00 EDT
Subject: Gold Tone GM-6 6 String A Style Mandolin

This looks neat. How is it tuned? Do you think it is a good instrument, would it last? I live in upstate NY, we get Cold winters and Hot humid summers. This instrument really inriigues me. I was thinking about a mandolin, mandola, octave mandolin, etc., but I don't play one. If this is tuned like a guitar it seems that it would be right up my alley. Please give me your opinion. Thanks, I will be ordering from you no matter what.

Greetings,

These are really cool...and very unique...I consider them more of a novelty instrument with a unique voice...and, a great instrument if you're looking for a new voicing within the studio or at a performance.

The GM-6 was designed for guitarists that are looking to for a different voicing...one that comes closer to mandolin. This instrument is tuned similar to guitar only one octave higher: E A D G B E...you can of course, as on guitar, experiment with other tunings...however, as a guitarist, knowing this language makes it fun and easy to pick the GM-6 up...this instrument does not sound like a traditional mandolin...it sounds more like a guitar played past the 12th fret.

It's built solid and well and should last a lifetime...as long as it's well taken care of...

Let me know if you need assistance with deciding between an Octave, Mandolin, or Mandola...and be sure to check out our FAQ database linked from below for further answers...

Mickey

Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2004 08:40:56 -0800 (Pacific Standard Time)
Subject: Gold Tone GM-6 Mandolin


Hello There

I thought that I would send you my views about the Gold Tone GM-6 Mandolin.

I just purchased this instrument 1 week ago. I traded in a regular 8 string Mandolin for it.
I found that the amount I played the Mandolin, I was constantly reviewing what I had thought that I had already learned. Playing guitar is my first instrument of choice (or was)

This Gold Tone GM-6 is so much fun to play! Yes the neck is a little cramped but so is a guitar neck above the 12th fret. Actually the Mandolin is assisting me in playing above the 12th fret on my guitar.

"E" and "B7" open chords are hard, but I play them in another position sometimes.
Also bar chords are a little hard in the "E" formation, but I am really finding my way around the neck in only a week, and I am not considered (by me) an accomplished musician.

The quality of the instrument is very good, nice tone, finish, and workmanship.

The only thing I have found wrong is the intonation is out (wasn't purchased at FOTW), but I have found that most instruments that I have purchased always need intonating even if the company says they are all set at the factory.

This instrument is so much fun, it doesn't get cold hanging on the wall like my other Mandolin did.
The sound (very close to) a Mandolin, but playing an already learned chord and fingering structure.

I give this instrument a 11 out of 10 or 3 thumbs up for the quality for the price paid, which by the way was $420.00 Canadian Funds.

Thanks for your time, hope this helps you
Bruce Thompson

Wow! Thanks so much for sharing your first-hand experience with the GM-6...I've also had quite alot of fun playing around with these...I'll post your take on our website...it really will assist many others who are looking for further info on these...Mickey

Subject: Re: Fwd: 6 string mandolin
Date: Mon, 05 Jan 2004 16:15:56 +0000

Thank you very much for the info. This setup sounds pretty good. I do have a couple of questions: do companies manufacture sets of strings for a 6 string mando? and how do I tune the darn thing? I read somewhere that a mando could be tuned to the high e string of a guitar. Thanks again for the info!
Aaron


Greetings Aaron,

I do not know of any strings manufactured specifically for the 6-string guitar-mando...

It's tuned just like a guitar only one octave higher...

Yes, a mando can be tuned to the high e string of a guitar at the 12th fret...again, the e strings on a mandolin are exactly one octave higher than a high e string...

Mickey

Subject: 6 string mandolin
Date: Sun, 04 Jan 2004 19:15:49 +0000

Hello,

I am a guitar player in both a country and contemporary christain music group. I am looking to purchase a 6 string mandolin (tough to find!). I am interested in the Gold Tone GM-6 that you have listed on your website. Can I plug this instrument into an amp to get more volume? We have a strong brass/guitar/bass section and I don't want to be drowned out. I look forward to doing business with you.

Thanks!

Aaron Lands, MEd, ATC/L, CSCS

Greetings Aaron,

Glad to assist...these are really different instruments...they have a great tone...only, if you're used to playing guitar, you're going to find playing one of these Guitar-Mandos takes some getting used to...it's almost like playing above the 12th fret on guitar...yes, they can be modified so that it becomes an acoustic/electric...my suggestion would be to use a pre-amp with controls and belt-clip between...Mickey

Subject: Gold Tone Six String Mandolin
Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2003 15:08:53 -0500

I saw the Gold Tone Six String Mandolin on your website and I was wondering
if you could post a brief review. I'm interested in getting a mandolin
sound but not interested in learning a whole new fret board. Is the fret
board any more or less cramped than a regular mandolin? Also, is it easy to
adjust the string heights? Thanks.

Greetings,

I have played one of these...and, it does sound really cool. It does not sound like a mandolin exactly...due to the single strings instead of the chorus strings normally found on a mandolin. It does have the same high pitch of a mandolin.

Yes, the fingerboard is somewhat cramped...it's quite small...almost like playing from the 12th fret forward on a standard guitar.

Yes, the string height can be adjusted for any comfort level.

This is a unique instrument unto itself...it has a unique sound that sets it apart from most any other acoustic instrument including mandolin. It does play just like a guitar...if you are familiar with a guitar fingerboard, you will feel at home on this Gold Tone Six String Mandolin. However, expect some getting used to the smaller fret spacing...grabbing open position chords, such as the E, will feel somewhat cramped...however, once you get used to it, you may find yourself exploring entirely new avenues...

Keep on Pickin', Mickey

Date: Wed, 15 May 2002 17:19:50 EDT
ubject: Gibson M-6 Mandolin

oes anyone else make a six-string guitar-mandolin? I would like one, but can't afford the M-6. Thanks.

ig John

reetings Big John,

know of no one currently making the 6-string banjo other than Gibson. I did play one and found them fun to experiment with.; most any of my guitar arrangements were easily transferred...other than the neck felt exceptionally small..I'm not sure how seriously you can apply one but believe that the potential of these have never been actualized. They are a new innovation solely introduced by Gibson...

Hope this helps...Mickeyy

--

Datee: Wed, 10 Apr 2002 02:23:07 -0700
Subject: guitarolin

Hello FOTW!

I recently saw an artist perform with a 6-string mandolin. It was
double-strung like a mandolin 12-strings), but was tuned like a guitar, with
a shorter neck. When I asked about it, someone called it a guitarolin. I'm
intrigued because as a guitar player, I wouldn't have to learn new chords or
fingering. What do you know about guitarolins?

Sincerely,
Aiko Nakamura

Greetings Aiko,

I've only played one and that would be the Gibson M-6...which is also the only guitarolin we currently carry. They seem to work well...as a guitarist that doesn't want to have to learn a new fretboard, yet wants to attain a new voicing, the guitarolin would most definitely be the answer.

The one I played had a mandolin sound, very trebly and high voiced. It's tuned exactly like a guitar yet has a mandolin voice. Note: the M-6 has 6 single strings as opposed to the chorus strings like you're referring to where the guitarolin is more of a 12-string...

You might also take note that even though the instrument is tuned like a guitar, and you wouldn't have to re-learn fingerings, the scale length may take some getting used to. The frets are closer together, and the fretboard is narrower. As a 12-string, and already being used to guitar, you may even find this smaller fretboard more difficult than if it's strung singly like the M-6.

Hope the above helps...Mickey