Choosing a Mandolin Based on Style of Music

Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2005 18:20:24 -0800 (PST)
Subject: lookin' for a mandolin...

Howdy, y'all!

First just wanted to say that I love your website - I can't believe how much information is there!

I play old-time country and gospel music pretty much exclusively and would like to find a mandolin that matches my style. I usually play in settings with one or two other acoustic guitars, at most three. The models that seemed most interesting to me (and are in my price range) are the Mid-missouri m-4 and the Michael Kelly A-0. There's not much on your web page about the A-0, so I was wondering if you could help decide which would be better for my style. I also like the Mid-Missouri M-11, but that might just be because it matches my Martin 15 series guitar so well!

Greetings Nicholas...

If you're planning on playing mostly Celtic Styles, go with the M-4...if you're looking for a little more versatility, and need more projection when playing with others, you might consider the A-0 as your best option. You might also consider the new Mystic West Tailpiece on the Michael Kelly...these sound superb. We have a Michael Kelly video sampler, one with an oval soundhole, using the Mystic West Tailpiece...and it adds a richness unattainable by standard tailpieces.

Hear this sample at:

http://www.folkofthewood.com/page5551.htm

Be sure to call Nathan or Tradd if interested in discussing this further...

Mickey

Date: Sat, 5 Jun 2004 23:50:35 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: question about matching music style to mandolin

Greetings Ann,

Glad to assist:

Hello. Your website is awesome. So full of info its
mind boggling. I am interested in learning
to play a mandolin. I have zero experience playing
any musical instrument or reading music.

thanks for the kind words about our site...

After reading much of your site i'm looking at the
kentucky 150s or 250s...or you seem to really like
the mid-missouris...

i am not interested in playing bluegrass. I am
interested in playing french cafe type stuff,
rockabilly/roots rock; maybe some western swing, tex
mex and perhaps some caribbean/reggae. no bluegrass,
no celtic.

With these styles, it sounds like you would still want an archtop mandolin...one that offers some projection and the right tonal range for rock and swing styles...

so you know what's coming: with those musical
interests and a budget of no more than 450 bucks..what
do you suggest? what if my budget was less?

For 450.00 or less, I would consider the following models:
Kentucky KM-250S Retails KM-250S
Kentucky KM-630 KM-630
Our least expensive Mid-Mos include:
Mid-Mo A-Style Flat Models Order Code Retail FOTW Price

Mid-Mo M-0 M-0 Mid-Mo M-1 M-1

are the mid-mos really for just celtic? or would it
serve my musical interests ?

The Mid-Mos are superb flat style mandolins...in fact, I do not know of a better value offered today as a flat style...now, keep in mind, a flat style mandolin is a very specialized mandolin...one that serves well when looking for sustain and resonance...such as Celtic artists look for....or, if you're playing solo mandolin...now, for jazz and rock, it would fall short since you would want more projection and less sustain....for these styles, you want a mandolin that has a sharper tone without any overtones caused by too much sustain...I believe the style of music determines the mandolin body style best...not looks, not price nor even choice of woods...most importantly, the body style contributes more to the tonal range than any other mandolin feature...which, in turn, should be the first consideration when fitting the mandolin to a certain style of music...

thanks for the advice. I love the level of your
customer service and you can be guaranteed that if i
take the plunge it will be with you guys...ann

Thanks again for your kind compliments...and, be sure to get back with me if you have further questions

Date: Sun, 9 May 2004 15:39:55 EDT
Subject: Celtic music played on Mandolin

I want to play Celtic music on a Mandolin. I currently own a cheap Johnson with f-holes, but I would like to buy a better quality of Mandolin. What type should I get?

For a dedicated Celtic Mandolin, I highly recommend either a flat style, or an archtop with oval soundhole...the flat styles are quite affordable on average...for instance, the Mid-Missouri covers this area very well...offering up an American-made, solid woods, flat style at an amazing price...(see below)...for archtops with oval soundholes, you have a few manufacturers to choose from: Weber, Breedlove and Rigel...all offering a variety of models with both arched tops and oval soundholes. For Celtic, I'd recommend a matte finish...which seems to liven up the sound tremendously: Weber Hyalite *with oval soundhole, Rigel A Natural *with oval soundhole, or the Breedlove Quartz OO...

Be sure to call James or Tradd for further info, delivery/availability, on these @ ...they may be able to assist you with this over the phone...be sure to relate to them what I recommended for you...they may not be as in touch with Celtic settings...

Keep on Pickin', Mickey

Subject: mandolins
Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2003 12:12:45 -0500

I'm interested in a mandolin between 500 and 1500$. Could you give me a list of the mandolins you have available in this price range? Thanks,
Ari

Greetings Ari,

Thanks for your interest...there's a wide array of mandolins available withint this price range:
On the import side you have: Morgan Monroe, Michael Kelly, Kentucky, Gold Tone
On the domestic side you have: Breedlove, Rigel, and Weber

My suggestion is to e-mail us what you hope to achieve on your mandolin...this should be your first consideration before finalizing a decision on model and body style. Within the price range you've listed, you can choose an intermediate to pro-level mandolin from the selection listed above.

Get back with me on the style of music you hope to achieve...I'd be glad to personally assist you...Mickey

--
Greetings Again:

Okay, this helps gain a little more focus on the body style necessary to meet your needs:

That is a good question and one that is hard to answer. Here is an attempt:
Traditional and Modern Bluegrass (of course): Monroe, Grisman, Masefield

Traditional Irish Folk
Jammy Folk: Grateful Dead
Classic Rock and Reggae: Bob Marley
Improvisational Jamming

Taking into consideration all of the above styles of music, and attempting to stay within your price range...my suggestion would be as follows;

If you will be emphasizing bluegrass...and still want to delve into the other styles listed, you might consider a solid F-style mandolin....however, if you want more versatility in one mandolin, sort of a mandolin to cover all styles, you might consider the following:
1. A Breedlove Quartz model with F Soundholes: This one would cover all of the above styles somewhat effectively...and it would be a solid wood American made mandolin that is finely crafted with attention to detail. The maple back and sides, with the archtop, will serve you well for volume and projection. A bright and crisp tone...great for cutting through a wall of sound.
2. A Weber Gallatin: This one's a good compromise in that it's an F-style body...yet, it has mahogany back and sides...which takes the edge off the high-end characteristics of a mandolin by adding warmth to the tone...probably the most versatile of all we've listed...
3. A Rigel A-Natural: This one would work well if you're looking for a rounder, more seasoned tone...great for a variety of styles...

Now if you're looking for a traditional bluegrass mandolin, with all of the expected features normally found in a bluegrass mandolin such as: maple back and sides, carved spruce top, extended fingerboard, etc., my suggestion would be to look at the Morgan Monroe or the Michael Kelly...of which may also save you more money than a domestic-made mandolin (as listed above). These mandolins offer a great value and allow for affordability with pro features that would be untouchable if made in the U.S.

Be sure to get back with me if you have further questions...Mickey

I currently have an Epiphone cheapy with no tress rod (it already warped!).

I've learned a lot of chords, but now I'm ready to take some lessons and take it to the next step and do some picking. I want something I can grow into.

I would prefer an American made mandolin, but anything would be better than what I already have. I also like the look of the F-style better than others.

I've been eyeing the Weber Gallatin.

Let me know what you think.

Ari