Now I’ve just about unloaded all my unused string axes of various species, I’m nearly ready to buy a new mando.
Despite the tempting influence of Lorenzo, I won’t be going for a Gibson (not as readily available in the UK, and I don’t know enough to be a competent shopper for one).
Looks like it’ll be a Jimmy Moon or an Eastman 504. I’m going to arrange a trip to TAMCO in Brighton to check out the sound and feel of both.
I’m also intrigued by Jimmy Moon’s 10 string mandolin/dola hybrid (CGDAE) - although I may save for a stand-alone mandola later.
I’ll be playing mostly ITM, folk, blues and a little light rock (Eagles, Lindisfarne, Stones etc) in a sing-along session. Any thoughts/advice?
I have a Fylde. They’re English made so you should get them cheaper than the rest of us. Beautiful tone and great to play but might be a bit on the quiet side if you don’t amplify it. I’m very happy with my choice.
Another possibility for a reasonable price in the UK is to have Freshwater build you one, though i think there’s a wait involved.
I’ve never played either a Moon or an Eastman, so i can’t comment on those mandolins.
When you go to TAMCO, ask Trevor about 10-strings – that’s a real interest of his. I’ve heard that unless the scale is right, the results are often less than satisfactory; either the C course is weak (if the scale is too short) or the E course snaps (if it’s too long). Also the fretboard is going to be wider so it might be good to try one first.
Yeh, I considered a Fylde, Wombat. Is yours an Octavius or a Touchstone? They are a bit more than I can really afford. I do like the idea of a zero fret. I had a few guitars in the past with zero frets. Saves worrying about nut slot set-up. I might go to a Hobgoblin shop and check 'em out (I don’t think TAMCO stocks them) but, like I say, a bit pricey for me.
rh, I have also looked at Freshwater. There does seem to be a wait, and I’m not really up for hanging around. David F’s stuff is supposed to be nice though.
Hmm, the 10 string thing was really just a passing whim. For the price of one of those I could get a Fylde Touchstone!
I still reckon I’ll end up with a Moon or an Eastman, and maybe a Trinity College (TAMCO branded) mandola (mandolin is the main thing, 'dola is just someting I’d like to try).
I think mine is the more expensive. A friend of mine who owns both uses the cheaper and louder one for sessions and gigs and the better one for playing at home and recording. Luthier friends are very impressed by the Fylde’s construction and bright clear sound.
I worked with Gary McDonald of Canberra to come up with a design of a Bouzouki-like creature like this but we ended up giving up and just going for a zouk. It’s very easy to build something that simply won’t work.
I’m sure you’re right. The 10-strings seem to be an accepted thing now, though - even outside the cittern context. Trevor at TAMCO seems to have a particular interest in them, and he is very well respected as a mando authority in the UK. The ones he pushes are the Jimmy Moon ones (a mando/dola which has a pretty standard 16" ish mandola scale-length, and a 10-string octave mando with additional high B course), but a number of other UK makers do some of this kind of stuff too.
Actually, I think I recall reading that Trevor’s first 10-stringer was done by a US builder…
Anyhow, Fylde are creeping back into the running! The wife and I may be visiting a store tomorrow which I know carries the Touchstone model!
Doug Dieter at http://kennaquhair.com mentioned to me that he has a new 17" scale cittern tuned DGdad for sale, NFI… i emailed him as i’m thinking about a cittern but i’m looking for one tuned as an octave mandolin with a high 5th course.
Sobell makes interesting citterns but I imagine they are way out of your price range.
If the exchange rate is very favourable, two people well worth considering are Graham McDonald (Canberra) and Davey Stuart (Christchurch, NZ). You’d get something really good relatively cheap. (I haven’t checked the exchange recently.)
Way WAAAAAY out of my range. As is Stefan’s waiting period - he quoted me a couple of years!
Anyways, issue settled. I checked out all the items I was interested in at TAMCO. The Jimmy Moon stuff is great, but just didn’t float my boat. After looking around for some time I test drove an Eastman 504 (oval hole, A-style). I had expected the narrow Eastman fretboard to be a problem - I was wrong.
This mando just fits. It sounds great, even before opening up - so I bought it!.
I’ll post pics when I get around to it.
It is a preeeeetty instrument. And a great deal. Loads of mando fer the money.
Anyone want to give me sh*t for buying a mando made in China? Bring it on…
