On Choosing a Versatile Mandolin Questions & Answers

Subject: purchasing the right mandolin
Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 16:14:34 -0400

I have read numerous responses to questions that you have posted on your website regarding the purchase of mandolins and string instruments in general. I have not read anything which relates to my specific needs.

I appreciate your attempting to find the answers in our FAQ database...and, I'm glad to further assist you:

I play primarily jazz, sitting in with jazz trios (drums, bass, piano) and quartets (drums, bass, piano, horn). I have been using a Japanese factory model A body with f holes and to be frank, it just doesn't cut it tonally. I would like to upgrade to a better quality instrument. I also play some classical, but not enough to warrant a separate instrument. Finally, I sit in with a singer-songwriter playing lead mandolin licks on acoustic versions of tunes by Lou Reed, The Dead, Zepplin, and Dylan. My price range is somewhat flexible, but I would like to stay under $1,000 as this is still just a hobby for me. Thank you.

It sounds like you need a really versatile mandolin...and for under 1000.00 there's plenty to choose from:

My first suggestion, at this price range, would be the Breedlove Quartz OF...this is an A-Style mandolin, matte finish, with maple back and sides...all solid woods...a crisp bright tone...and quite versatile for a variety of styles...and, best of all, it's made in the US. Another excellent possiblility would be the Weber Hyalite...they have lots of sustain and resonance...great for an acoustic rock setting.

Now, you can get a great quality mandolin, with even higher end features such as the F-Style through, Morgan Monroe, Michael Kelly or Kentucky...all of which would work well in the settings you've described such as jazz, the Dead and Zeppelin...now, the f-style will not have the aliveness in tone that the Quartz has due to the gloss finish...however, the gloss finish assists in the tonal range by quieting down overtones...great when playing fast jazz lines...

Mickey

Donald

Subject: Celtic style mandolins.
Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2004 02:46:05 -0400

Dear Folk of The Wood,
A while back, I was thinking of buying a mandolin. Unfortunately, I had to put my cash towards something else, and was unable to buy it. I will be able to get some more cash now that I have a lot of free time. Anyway, I was searching your site and noticed that Weber's Absoroka A-style mandolin was good for many types of styles, but I'm looking to play celtic/folk music, and classical styles too. An oval shaped soundhole is recommended for celtic music, but I'm not sure whether a flat style oval mandolin would be better suited for celtic, or an oval mandolin that was not flat styled. I appreciate you reading this email. Thanks.

Greetings,

For the best versatility, the Absaroka with f soundholes would be the ultimate choice. For specialized application, or dedication to Celtic settings only, you might consider the flat style with oval soundhole. For a compromise between these two, where you'll still have some versatility, while still retaining the openness of tone for Celtic music, the Absaroka with oval soundhole would be a great option. Hope this helps, Mickey

Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2004 16:16:49 -0700
Subject: Questions about Mandolins

Hi Mickey,

Greetings,

I was wondering if you could help me with my decision for a Mandolin.
I am highly considering either a Breedlove Quartz KF or OF, or the
Rigel's A Standard or A + Deluxe. My price range would be in the 1000
to 1500 range.

Could you give me your personal advice on these choices as well as the
price breakdown. I do apologize, as I know this exists in your FAQ
section, but it was a bit overwhelming to read it all.

I believe you're on the right track with either one of these...they're both superb in most every respect. They differ in tonal range as follows:
The Rigel models have a more seasoned tone...almost sweeter overall than any other new mandolin being built today. Most high end mandolins, including the Quartz models, will season over time; the Rigel seems to come straight from the factory with a seasoned tone.

The Quartz has a very crisp, resonating bright tone...it's a mandolin that seems to cut through in spite of the matte finish. So, you might find the Quartz to have more punch than the Rigel...and the Rigel to have a sweeter tone...

I am transitioning from the guitar to the mandolin. I have experience
in bluegrass, and "pop/strumming" type music. My goal is to begin
with Bluegrass, but I also want to use it for practicing other genres
of music. Eg. strumming for my church group, and western swing.

Yes, the application should also have a larger influence on which mando to choose from...if you're looking for a rounder tone, you might first consider the Rigel. If you're looking for a tone to cut through with sharpness and brightness, you might consider the Quartz.

I would like for the mandolin to be setup so it's easy to play. (I
tried my friends Gibson F-5, and I had a hard time as the neck was so
small...)...

The Breedlove neck is larger than average...so is the Rigel. The Rigel has a larger roundness on the back of the neck.

Anyways, which model/make is the easiest/most
comfortable to play (both models offer a larger neck?)

Both would serve you fine...if you're looking for a slightly thicker neck, try the Rigel...

, with a good
clear crisp tone when flatpicking,

Crispness in tone goes to the Quartz model...

and also has a good bluegrass chop

They both have a decent chop only do not expect either one to offer a traditional bluegrass chop...

as well as a nice resonating tone when strumming.

The Rigel will sound bassier...

I don't know if this combination of versatility is possible with just one mandolin...

It is next to impossible to find one mandolin that can do it all...

Although I did go to Rigel's website and they have some nice sound
clips of their models and the strumming is what I would like to do
is defined there.

http://www.rigelmandolin.com/listen.html

Yes, I know Peter Mix personally...and he plays with an incomparable finesse...I love what he writes too! And, as I've recounted here, the Rigel has more roundness in tone than average...

Also would you consider the Rigel A+ Deluxe more comprable to the
Breedlove Quartz's, since the spec's are a little more closely alike
eg. ebony fretboard, ebony bridge (which i hear has a good impact on
the overall tone).

No, in fact, they're quite different...due to the gloss finish...which tones down the resonance somewhat...which is contributory to less aliveness in tone. This is desirable for playing fast lead lines where a previous note would still be ringing over a current note being played.

Would another make suit me better?

Not that I can think of off hand...it seems you've done your research...in the 1000.00 range, there's only one other model that may be of interest to you: the Weber Hyalite.

Also, I've really enjoy your video samplers, I always cut and paste
your video sampler links to my friends just to show them how great
your playing is! However, i can't get a sure grip of how each model
compares, as it seems like the recording setup is different for the
various models.

Wow! I appreciate your promotional efforts...

Yes, there was a transition period where we added a new mic. However, you can tell this difference whenever you hear one video with more presence than another. When using headphones, it's quite a bit easier to hear the tonal differences from sampler to sampler.

Thanks alot! And again, I deeply appreciate your help as well as the
great informative information you have on your site!

You're most welcome...and thanks for the kind words...Mickey

Sam

Date: Sun, 23 May 2004 12:36:11 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: thanks/which mando?

Greetings Tom,

Glad to assist you further:

If you want a dedicated Celtic mandolin, one that would be used solely for the purpose of playing Celtic music, the Aspen would do you well...however, if you're planning to play any other style of music, and are looking for more versatility in one mandolin, the Breedlove Quartz will do you exceptionally well...you might also consider a Breedlove Quartz oval soundhole mandolin...such as the OO...since this would cover Celtic well along with some other styles...only, in a bluegrass setting, it's more desirable to have the F Soundholes...

For videos or books, try to stay with a methodology approach...one that lays a foundation first and teaches songs only as a support to this foundation...Mickey

Mickey, I want to thank for all the info about mandolins on your web site. Also all the brands of mandolins you have. I just made a trade with you and James ie Oviation Adamas for a Breedlove Quartz OF-thanks for that. I could not play that guiter because of the weight and size of a guiter as I have a motor nueron disorder (ALS or SMA) I want to learn to play the mandolin for intertainment and it gives me something to do as I no longer work. I have an interest in all styles of play but like the Celtic style best. The guiter is now on its way to you. I also considered the Weber Aspen #2 and am now wondering which is better for me to learn and enjoy for some time? The Quartz OF seems like it is easier to start playing with its radius neck. And the sound is greater with the arch top with F holes. On the other hand the Weber Aspen #2 is flat which is better for Celtic. I don't mind paying a little more to get the Aspen. What are your thoughts on this? While the guiter is in route to you a change is possible. In addition I need some books/video for instruction, what do you suggest. Thanks a lot Tom Watson

Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 19:46:51 -0700 (PDT)

Greetings Scott,

You will find the A-Style F Soundhole to be quite versatile...you should have no problem pursuing classical, bluegrass, Irish and most other styles effectively...there will be slight compromises on the bluegrass end, especially if the A-style comes with X bracing instead of tone bar bracing.

Hello... I just purchased an A-style, f-hole Kentucky
mandolin from you and I am waiting impatiently for it
to come! I can't wait to start.

I have a question: The main reason I want to learn
mandolin is for bluegrass and Irish trad... But I
would love to learn some classical peices as well...
such as the Brandenberg Concertos, etc. Will the
instrument I purchased work for classical as well? How
will it be for Irish trad??

Again, the A-style with f soundholes is versatile enough to play most styles effectively...eventually, after learning to play, you will attune your ear and then, have a better idea of what to look for in a particular mandolin. I personally have 4 mandolins...each one applies to a particular style...there really isn't one mandolin that can play every style at the optimal level...although, an A-style with f soundholes comes very close to covering most styles very well...

Just to know... is playing something like one of the
Brandenbergs something I should aspire to eventually,
or can they be learned fairly early?? I am completely
new to all stringed instruments...

Yes, why not? I believe it would come off very well on mandolin...it can be challenging...I probably would start out with some simple Bach pieces and graduate to the Concertos...

Hope this helps...Mickey

I looked through the FAQs and didnt see anything
specifically related to this question, but perhaps I
missed it.

Talk to you soon.... Scott

Date: Sun, 21 Mar 2004 21:06:32 -0500
Subject: Wanting to Buy a Mandolin

Sir Mickey,
Hello, I'm emailing with a couple questions as I prepare to make my first mandolin purchase. I am in college studying in classical guitar and my grandpa, who is an (awesome) bluegrass mandolinist got me a pretty cheap (no idea what brand, no markings) mandolin about a week ago, and I've become addicted. I'm a fast learner, especially since I can already read music and I play guitar, etc., and I've even already performed Ashokan Farewell here on campus with a couple friends. At any rate, the mandolin I have is ok for learning, but it is very hard to play and a couple of the higher frets don't work. That being said, I've been searching for a mandolin to buy this summer, and so far the two most highly spoken ones in my price range are the Fender fm53s and the Kentucky 380s. Am I correct in assuming that since I will be doing a lot of italian type playing (with, of course some celtic and bluegrass added in), I should get an a-model mandolin? Can you help me with any differences in the quality/sound of these two mandolins or give me any other recommendations in the $200-300 price range? Thanks for all your help and the great site. God Bless, Jeremy

Greetings Jeremy,

Yes, both the Fender and the Kentucky will make decent student model mandolins...the 380S does have some pro features, and if set up properly, should work well within most any setting, beginning or professional...

For Italian music, along with bluegrass and celtic, you'll want a versatile mandolin...an A-style with f-soundholes should serve you well...classical Italian music was always played on the roundback (taterbug) models...which gave a very soft tone with very little volume and projection...the advantage of the A-style with f-soundholes is that you'll have the added projection and volume that an archtop flatback mandolin offers...I used to play Italian standards when I performed in a restaurant 6-nights-a-week with a Gibson F-5 no less...and it worked fine...it didn't have the sustain of a flat style or roundback mandolin, but it still came across with lots of cut-through volume and presence...which is what I needed in an acoustic setting.

Other recommendations would be Morgan Monroe, Johnson or Michael Kelly...for flat styles: Weber Y2K or the Mid-Missouri...check out our site for futher info on all of these models...

Hope this helps...Mickey

Subject: Mandolin
Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2003 08:46:00 -0600

I have started learning the mandolin recently. I started originally to help me figure out fiddle tunes but I really got interested and now want a decent instrument to continue learning with. I play a lot of old Scotch-Irish tunes and waltzs. Also a little bluegrass and some old time tunes. Even a little country. What would be the best all around instrument for me? I've considered Gibson, Weber and Breedlove. Also both A and F Styles. K Style in the Breedlove. But I don't know enough about what is suited to the cross section of music I play to make an educated decision.
Can you help?

Darrell Goodin

Greetings Darrell,

Sounds like you'll need one mandolin to do everything...keeping in mind the main factors that contribute to tonal range:

1. Type of Bracing
2. Type of Soundhole
3. Type of Body Style

On bracing, for versatility, the X bracing would do well and supercede standard tone bar bracing...my personal preference is X bracing. Weber and Breedlove do offer X bracing...another consideration would be Rigel...which offers a hybrid X and tone bar bracing...covering the best of both worlds.

On soundholes, my suggestion would be to stick to the F soundhole...which covers more styles effectively than oval soundholes. Oval soundholes are preferable for Celtic styles...or where sustain and resonance, without projection, would be critical to your playing efforts.

Body style would be less critical...an F-style or an A-style will serve your needs well...the body style seems to add to the band silhouette...for instance, an F-style denotes bluegrass in an acoustic band setting. A-styles seem to denote a band's versatility...or a more old-time setting...a K-style denotes innovation...tonal ranges do vary from body style to body style...however, only subtly: an A-style Breedlove with the same bracing as an F-style Breedlove and the same style soundhole, will be mostly inaudible.

I can name a couple of models that are highly versatile:
Weber Absaroka
Rigel A+ Deluxe or Natural
Breedlove Quartz OF or KF Models
Phoenix Deluxe
Gibson A-9

Hope something here helps...Mickey