Subject: Need Advice on Mandolin
Date: Fri, 27 May 2005 14:41:56 -0400

Hi, I've been enjoying browsing your website, though I'm a little concerned it hasn't been updated since 2004 and I am hoping you're still doing business. There's a real sensitivity to acoustic music and musicians that comes through on your site.

Yes, Sue, you're right about the Inventory Sections not be updated...however, the rest of the site has been updated...

Thanks for tuning in...and perceiving my dedication to acoustic music.

My 15-year-old son plays classical violin and also fiddle and bodrhan. He is a big fan of Celtic music, was thrilled to see Chris Thiel in concert with Edgar Meyer last winter, and likes, well, almost any kind of music for that matter, except rap. I admire him for his ability and his diverse interests, he's a good kid and my husband and I are happy to support his interests in music and kayaking (oops-off topic) because they are both personal, life-long pursuits that he can take to whatever level he chooses.

It's also great to see that you and your husband are supportive of the arts...it will ensure that your child is not unidimensional...for encouraging him to be creative now, will enhance his creative abilities throughout his life...no matter what chosen field of employment.

I digress-I am thinking of getting him a mandolin and wondered what advice you might have. I came to your website not knowing my A style from my F style and now understand (I think) that a flat style will probably best suit his beginning tastes. I see you have several beginners packages bundled but that you also carry a variety of used instruments and have recommended the Mid-Missouri line highly. So now I am thoroughly confused. I want to spend my money wisely, under $500 if possible.

I still would recommend an archtop mandolin for versatility (most styles) and a flat style for dedicated Celtic music.

Mickey

Thanks for your consideration. I hope I did my homework well enough on your site so that I'm not asking you the same question thousands of others have. Take care, and thank you for a wonderful site,

Sue Baldwin-Way

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Subject: Weber Bridger and Rigel A+ deluxe
Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2005 05:29:33 -0500

Hi, Mickey. My wife is trying to decide whether to purchase a Weber Bridger or Rigel A+ Deluxe with the oval soundhole or stick with her beloved Mid-Missouri rosewood. Certainly Mike Dulak and his boys at Mid-Missouri make a great product, and she is not unhappy with the rosewood. However, like all of us who play guitar or mandolin or some other stringed instrument, she always wonders if there is something better, something beyond. She is a fingerstyle player who creates her own material - New Age with some Celtic overtones - and is looking for resonance, sustain, and good bass (for a mandolin). Peter Mix at Rigel said that what she wants is the A+ Deluxe with the oval soundhole, but the Weber Bridger sounds and looks inviting, especially with the lighter satin finish that might provide more vibration of the wood and greater resonance. Mike Dulak suggests the Mid-Missouri walnut with an Adirondack spruce top. What do you think?
Jim Y.

Jim...for the qualities she is looking for, she will not find more resonance and warmth than the Mid-Mo Rosewood model. If she is looking for roundness in tone, with more projection, along with some decent resonance I'm sure she would find the Weber Bridger to be a good choice. However, nothing compares to the resonance of a flat style mandolin. Archtops contribute to more volume and projection...not to more resonance. This is important when playing with others, for too much resonance may create some unwanted overtones.

I believe, her best option would be to retain her Mid-Mo...and, maybe to consider a second mandolin for a totally different voicing...or for playing situations that call for more volume. Both the Bridger and the A+ Deluxe would serve well for these added dimensions.

Resonance, sustain and good bottom end is quite difficult to find in archtops...sure, you can achieve all three in a Bridger or an A+ Deluxe, only, from my experience, sustain and resonance of a flat style is quite hard to supercede. And, I do not know of a better flat style than what the Mid-Mo offers for it's as good as it gets.

Keep on Pickin',

Mickey

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Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2003 13:42:50 -0600

Glad to assist if I can:

I have been thinking about getting back into playing my mandolin. I am concerned that with my present mandolin, I will never progress. It appears that other mandolins sound better than mine. But to be honest, I am not an expert. I own a 1986 Flatiron model 1 round hole-which is a copy of the "A" style pancake mandolins Gibson made a long time ago--the army-navy models. When I hear other mandolins the tone jumps out--ringing, full. Mine sounds fatter, fuller, less ringy, not as good. I wonder if it's me or my mandolin. Is there a difference in mandolins as far as carved top vs flat??

Most definitely...a flat style will not have the projection of a carved top...

There's a wide variety of models encompassing flat style mandolins...with both f-holes and oval soundholes...the main characteristic of flat styles is that they are highly resonant with lots of sustain and very little projection...some styles of music call for this characteristic such as Celtic genres.

I know Flatiron made good stuff but maybe I need a f holed arch top. Or can a expert player make it sound great? Any advice?
Thanks
Mark

The style of music you hope to achieve should dictate the style of mandolin you purchase/own...for instance, bluegrass demands a mandolin with maple back and sides, an archtop and f soundholes. This is the standard for this setting. Celtic music fares well with a flat style mandolin with lots of sustain...

Hope this helps, Mickey