Trinity College vs. Mid-Missouri Octaves Mandolas

Date: Sun, 26 Oct 2003 17:23:34 +0000

Hi Mick,

Hi Rick,

Nice to hear from you on a Sunday...I'd be glad to personally assist you with your questions:

I've been enjoying browsing your website, so much good stuff out there. I am interested in buying either a mandola or bouzouki and am leaning towards the mandola because of it's more compact size and voice. I already play enough big instruments: electric bass, acoustic guitar. However, mandolins are just too tiny for my fingers and I have all kinds of difficulty making the chords. I know the difference in scale is only an inch and a half or two inches, but I'm hoping that the extra room on mandola would be enough so that I could actually play it.

Yes, the mandola certainly offers more room to move than a standard mandolin. The distance between frets would be like playing past the 12th fret on guitar...where the frets progressively become narrower. Have you considered the Octave. It's scale length is substantial as compared to the mandola...and, I've known quite a few guitarists who have found it a comfortable transition. Additionally, you still have that mandolin voicing (only 1 octave lower)...you can still imitate a mandolin in first position by playing past the 12th fret on an octave. Therefore, you may have the best of all worlds in an Octave. Be sure to check out our video samplers to differentiate the voicings between these two instruments: http://www.folkofthewood.com/page319.htm

Of the mandolas on your site, I think my choices are the Trinity College or the Mid-Missouris. I like the Mid-Mo with Maple back and sides, the M15 I think. It seems the Trinity has some features the Mid-Mo doesn't - adjustable truss rod - and is more ornate. I actually prefer simpler, no-gingerbread instruments and the Mid-Mo is right up my alley in that respect. I also like the fact that it's made here at home by hand. Seems like everything I buy nowadays is made in China! Is an adjustable rod an essential feature on a mando or mandola?

I'm in agreement with you: it's a give and take. The Mid-Mo is domestically made...and, for the price, I don't know of a better value in an American made mando. The Trinity College is quite a bit heavier; meaning, it's constructed with heavier bracing, thicker woods, etc. For the money, the Trinity College is a good value...however, for myself, I would base my decision on exactly what I hoped to achieve with the instrument...such as: what styles of music I want to play, with whom will I be playing the instrument (in a larger ensemble where projection is critical), and my personal taste in tonal quality...

The Mid-Mo, being quite a bit lighter, is far more responsive than the Trinity College. It comes alive in the hands and resonates the tones with vibrancy. The Mid-Mo seems to be somewhat more fragile with the lighter build and the matte finish. The Trinity College seems to have great projection...however, it's not as responsive as the Mid-Mo. If I was looking for a more delicate, resonant sound, my choice would be the Mid-Mo. For a workhorse, that's built like a tank, the Trinity College would have the edge...the finish is also gloss and is less likely to be easily damaged. And, again, the TC also offers a truss rod...the Mid-Mo neck can still be easily adjusted by heat lamp...fortunately, it's very rare for the Mid-Mo, with its reinforced neck, to go awry.

I know on guitar I'd be sunk without it. Also, is the difference in size between mando and mandola very noticable when you yourself play them?

Yes...there is a switch of gears. However, for the most part, I can play the exact same chord inversions on mandola as I've used for many years on the mandolin. The octave requires new chord inversions. (we have chord charts for octave posted on our website)

And lastly, do you have a preference out of the two instruments? Does the Mid-Mo sound any better, or just different?

I would love to own both the TC and the Mid-Mo for different reasons...sort of like an artist with a palette of colors: each instrument can contribute to different settings in its own way. I don't believe one sounds better than the other necessarily. The Mid-Mo is far more alive and resonant; the Trinity College may have more bottom end and also offer an edge on the projection...

So all this is leading up to, if you think the mandola would suit my needs - mostly playing solo on Celtic tunes and traditional stuff (not into Bluegrass much) - can you give me a price on the Mid-Mo M15 with a hardshell case and shipping(to NJ) ?

I really appreciate your time. I woulda called but it's Sunday and I don't like people bugging me on Sunday, even if they are trying to give me some money : ) Thanks a lot. I look forward to hearing from you.

Glad to assist...be sure to get back with me with further questions...Mickey

Rick Tarquinio