How many of us play the Mandolin?
Moderator: Shoshanah Marohn
I have a Rigel A+ Deluxe - I'm pretty sure it was Mike's blue A+ Deluxe I played at NAMM that convinced me I HAD to have one. Blows away anything I've played except a friend's Monteleone...and that includes Mr. Bill's F5, which I got to play siting with him on his bus years ago. I played blegass exclusively for about 10 years...mainly guitar but also did a stint in a band on mando and some banjo and dobro gigs.
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional
- Alan Brookes
- Posts: 13218
- Joined: 29 Mar 2006 1:01 am
- Location: Brummy living in Southern California
- Mike Perlowin
- Posts: 15171
- Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
- Location: Los Angeles CA
- Contact:
Jim I totally agree about the quality of Rigel Mandolins. But mine hadn’t been on display at NAMM before I got it. Chances are you and I saw and played the same blue one they had on display, and we were both so impressed that we went out and bought one. (or in my case two) I ordered both of mine from the factory and opted for the same color as the one at NAMM.Jim Sliff wrote:I have a Rigel A+ Deluxe - I'm pretty sure it was Mike's blue A+ Deluxe I played at NAMM that convinced me I HAD to have one. Blows away anything I've played except a friend's Monteleone...and that includes Mr. Bill's F5, which I got to play siting with him on his bus years ago.
As I mentioned Rigel is back in business. Here is their web site.
http://www.rigelinstruments.com/
I used to have a 1961 Gibson. One day several years ago, I noticed that it was fretting out badly, so I took it to my local repairman and told him the neck needed to be adjusted. He called me back an hour later and told me the problem was not the neck. But that the inner bracing had come unglued, and the top had caved in. He said the mandolin was unsalvageable. Needless to say I was heartbroken, but I was also insured. I was not certain that my policy covered this sort of damage but I put in a claim. (I sent the mandolin to Gibson where they confirmed what my local repairman had said.)
The following January I went to the NAMM show and spent the entire time there looking at mandolins. I checked out Collins, Weber and Breedlove, (all of which are excellent) as well as some other brands. But the Rigels blew me away.
Not knowing whether or not the claim would be honored, I approached one of the guys (Peter Mix, who is no longer with the company) at the Rigel booth and told him I was a recording artist with 2 CDs, but that they were steel guitar CDs. I was hoping to get an endorsement deal. Peter asked me what kind of steel I had, and I said MSA, and he answered that he played a Sho Bud.
Well, I got the deal, and they sold me the F hole one at a substantial discount. Then the insurance claim was honored and I got more than the price of the Rigel, so I decided to get the oval hole with the leftover money. I raided my savings account to make up the difference. So I have 2 matching Rigels with only a small investment.
Having the Gibson break was a real bummer, but this time things just worked out for the best. These Rigels are actually better than the Gibson they replaced.
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin
-
- Posts: 6870
- Joined: 27 Nov 2000 1:01 am
- Location: Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)
- Contact:
When I was in highschool, and before I bought my first steel guitar, I owned a "tator-bug" mandolin, that I played at school assemblies along with a friend who played guitar. It was a beautiful instrument with contrasting wood strips, but I don't remember the brand.
I also remember that someone told me that if I could play a mandolin I could also play a fiddle....so I bought a fiddle. They lied!
I also remember that someone told me that if I could play a mandolin I could also play a fiddle....so I bought a fiddle. They lied!
-
- Posts: 1617
- Joined: 6 Sep 1998 12:01 am
- Location: Nashville Tn.
-
- Posts: 917
- Joined: 1 May 2007 2:15 pm
- Location: West Virginia, USA
mandolin
Mandolin used to be my main instrument before getting into psg. I remember people remarking, "You know Don your areally good mandolin player" when ever they'd hear me struggling to play steel. Nowdays playing mandolin puts a strain on my left hand and its only used to teach with or the occasional jam which doesn't last too long. Ihad a nice Gibson A 50 that someone took out of my van and a Stradolin that got lost when my daughter was doing the follow the Dead thing. I loved the Stradolin. It had a smaller body and solid spruce top and hardshell case. The finish was a little stessed. Hope someone is enjoying it. Don D.
- Terry Wood
- Posts: 5240
- Joined: 2 Mar 2000 1:01 am
- Location: Marshfield, MO
- Alan Brookes
- Posts: 13218
- Joined: 29 Mar 2006 1:01 am
- Location: Brummy living in Southern California
Check out this old thread. It will help all mandolin players to play the fiddle...Gene Jones wrote:...I also remember that someone told me that if I could play a mandolin I could also play a fiddle....so I bought a fiddle. They lied!
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... t=mandolin
- Michael Johnstone
- Posts: 3841
- Joined: 29 Oct 1998 1:01 am
- Location: Sylmar,Ca. USA
I'm a pretty serious student of the instrument.
I find it easy to grasp mentally and handy to practice a lot - the exact opposite of a pedal steel. Since I started out playing surf guitar, the tremolo picking comes real natural. I like to play Celtic, classical, old time fiddle tunes, a bit of Italian "Godfather" style, country blues with a jazz edge and 40s pop standards. I'm a big fan of solo style mandolin like Evan Marshall and Carlo Anzo play. I dabble with bluegrass but didn't really grow up with it so I doubt if I'll ever be a scary monster at that stuff.
This Rigel Q-95 is my current favorite. It was hand picked out of a batch of 4 by Peter Mix at the Rigel Shop not too long before they folded. Sounds exquisite - full, bright and complex.
I"m partial to oval hole instruments like this 'lectrified F-4.
I have a few other mandos including a 51 Martin A-style, a Michael Kelly F-5 with a Fishman preamp and a Schatten bridge pickup and an Eastwood Tele-shaped 8 string solid-body that works great in loud country-rock bands.
I find it easy to grasp mentally and handy to practice a lot - the exact opposite of a pedal steel. Since I started out playing surf guitar, the tremolo picking comes real natural. I like to play Celtic, classical, old time fiddle tunes, a bit of Italian "Godfather" style, country blues with a jazz edge and 40s pop standards. I'm a big fan of solo style mandolin like Evan Marshall and Carlo Anzo play. I dabble with bluegrass but didn't really grow up with it so I doubt if I'll ever be a scary monster at that stuff.
This Rigel Q-95 is my current favorite. It was hand picked out of a batch of 4 by Peter Mix at the Rigel Shop not too long before they folded. Sounds exquisite - full, bright and complex.
I"m partial to oval hole instruments like this 'lectrified F-4.
I have a few other mandos including a 51 Martin A-style, a Michael Kelly F-5 with a Fishman preamp and a Schatten bridge pickup and an Eastwood Tele-shaped 8 string solid-body that works great in loud country-rock bands.
- John DeBoalt
- Posts: 230
- Joined: 8 Apr 2000 12:01 am
- Location: Harrisville New York USA
I used to play one on some songs we did in the bluegrass band I was in 18 years ago. I never got to the point where I was really comfortable with it. I had to work stuff up ahead of time, rather than just blast something out in a jam session. I still have the mandolin, I take it out once in a while while I'm watching TV, and try to play fiddle tunes on it during the commercials. John
Equipment: Carter D10, Zum Stage1,
Wechter Scheernhorn Reso, Deneve Reso, Fender Jazzmaster, Martin D16, Walker Stereo Steel amp, TC Electronics M One effects unit, JBL 15" speaker cabs,Peavey Nashville 1000,Peavey Revoloution 112, Morrell Lap Steel, Boss DD3 delay,others
Wechter Scheernhorn Reso, Deneve Reso, Fender Jazzmaster, Martin D16, Walker Stereo Steel amp, TC Electronics M One effects unit, JBL 15" speaker cabs,Peavey Nashville 1000,Peavey Revoloution 112, Morrell Lap Steel, Boss DD3 delay,others
-
- Posts: 446
- Joined: 4 Feb 2008 12:49 pm
- Location: Texas, USA
I have a red "A" style Epi that I plan on about six tunes we do. I take it on business trips to play because it's small. I wouldn't say it's my best instrument. I bought it thinking it would help me learn the fiddle (same tuning). Didn't work that way. Its fun, but doesn't get the attention it needs.
76 Emmons Push Pull, Williams 600, ShoBud Pro I, MSA Classic, Remington SteelMaster dbl 8, MSA Super Slide dbl 8, Gold Tone 6, And other instruments and equipment I can't afford.
-
- Posts: 6870
- Joined: 20 Apr 2002 12:01 am
- Location: Over there
- Greg Cutshaw
- Posts: 6610
- Joined: 17 Nov 1998 1:01 am
- Location: Corry, PA, USA
- Contact:
-
- Posts: 2241
- Joined: 14 Aug 2007 1:06 pm
I am wondering about this, "tone bar" statement. Could you expand on it a bit? I can't figure out how that would work. A slide mando like a slide guitar? Mind-boggleing thought. That would suggest there are barre cords to be found on the mando.?Alan Brookes wrote:...I should add that at one time I was playing mandoline with a tone bar. How many others have tried that ?
I seriously would like to know.
-
- Posts: 603
- Joined: 2 May 2002 12:01 am
- Location: Frankfort, NY, USA
- Rob Haines
- Posts: 28
- Joined: 1 Jun 2007 4:28 pm
- Location: Goodlettsville TN
- Contact:
- Michael Johnstone
- Posts: 3841
- Joined: 29 Oct 1998 1:01 am
- Location: Sylmar,Ca. USA
In the world of mandolins, "tone bars" refers to a type of internal bracing which are 2 semi-parallel fore & aft oriented top braces. Most F-style and mandolins voiced for bluegrass use this design. There's another type of top bracing called "X-bracing" which is shaped like what it's name suggests. X-braced instruments are less strident and more full bodied than tone-bar braced mandos. Rigels are unique in that they have a single lateral tone bar brace.
Now if you're referring to playing slide mandolin, I've seen Sam Bush do it on an old Fender 4-string solid-body and a National reso-mando (also single course) and it was quite musical in his hands. It can get quite bluesy & modal with all it's stacked 5ths and handy open string notes (G,D,A,E) but as I recall, Sam was playing mostly single note stuff. I wouldn't try it on an 8-string. I think it would sound too sloppy.
Now if you're referring to playing slide mandolin, I've seen Sam Bush do it on an old Fender 4-string solid-body and a National reso-mando (also single course) and it was quite musical in his hands. It can get quite bluesy & modal with all it's stacked 5ths and handy open string notes (G,D,A,E) but as I recall, Sam was playing mostly single note stuff. I wouldn't try it on an 8-string. I think it would sound too sloppy.
- Jay Jessup
- Posts: 952
- Joined: 12 Jan 1999 1:01 am
- Location: Charlottesville, VA, USA
Tamara, Just check out most any Sam Bush record and you will usually hear several examples of slide mandolin although I am reasonably sure most would find a slide as you would use on the guitar would be much easier to use accurately than a heavy tone bar. I have no idea if he uses an alternate tuning but he does usually use a dobro mandolin for those tunes.
Rob, isn't that the greatest thing? Walking into a gig or a jam with a mando slung over your back in a soft case still makes me smile after all those years of lugging Steels and amps and stools and guitars and amps and etc etc.
To answer Mike's first question I have been playing mando almost exclusively the last ten years and have far too many to list inlcuding a couple of Rigels. They don't take up much room so it's easy to let them accumulate.
For those of you who think steel guitars are expensive or the wait for one of Bruce's finest is too long check out the <mandolincafe> website to see what's happening in that world---it'll make you feel that even the most expensive steel guitars are cheap!!
Rob, isn't that the greatest thing? Walking into a gig or a jam with a mando slung over your back in a soft case still makes me smile after all those years of lugging Steels and amps and stools and guitars and amps and etc etc.
To answer Mike's first question I have been playing mando almost exclusively the last ten years and have far too many to list inlcuding a couple of Rigels. They don't take up much room so it's easy to let them accumulate.
For those of you who think steel guitars are expensive or the wait for one of Bruce's finest is too long check out the <mandolincafe> website to see what's happening in that world---it'll make you feel that even the most expensive steel guitars are cheap!!
-
- Posts: 2241
- Joined: 14 Aug 2007 1:06 pm
Gosh. Slide Mandolin. I never thought about it. I will definetly check out Sam Bush this weekend. I own a guitar slide. I am amazed what a person can learn here. Thanks!Jay Jessup wrote:Tamara, Just check out most any Sam Bush record and you will usually hear several examples of slide mandolin although I am reasonably sure most would find a slide as you would use on the guitar would be much easier to use accurately than a heavy tone bar. I have no idea if he uses an alternate tuning but he does usually use a dobro mandolin for those tunes.
- Mark Treepaz
- Posts: 408
- Joined: 27 Feb 2006 1:01 am
- Location: Hamburg, New York USA
- Contact:
I envy all of you that can play multiple stringed instruments as most of you do. Up until I started playing SG, if anyone handed me an instrument that had any more than four bass strings or three valves on it, I just went to the bar!
Sho-Bud LDG, Gretsch Syncromatic Lap Steel, Fender Steel King amp, Bach Stradivarious 37 Trumpet, Getzen Eterna Flugelhorn, 68 Fender Precision Bass
- Darrell Urbien
- Posts: 315
- Joined: 20 Oct 2006 12:01 am
- Location: Echo Park, California
- Alan Brookes
- Posts: 13218
- Joined: 29 Mar 2006 1:01 am
- Location: Brummy living in Southern California
During the 60's we used to have regular jam sessions at my house, and anyone could turn up. We had no restrictions on what sort of music would be played. We just jammed, and I recorded everything on reel-to-reel. On one occasion someone turned up with a round-backed mandoline that had warped such that you couldn't push the strings down onto the frets. I was playing mainly Dobro at that session. I tuned the mandolin to an open A and backed up some blues numbers using a Dobro bar. It sounded pretty good, and made a change from the Dobro sound.Tamara James wrote:I am wondering about this, "tone bar" statement. Could you expand on it a bit? I can't figure out how that would work. A slide mando like a slide guitar? Mind-boggleing thought. That would suggest there are barre cords to be found on the mando.?
- Dave O'Brien
- Posts: 1583
- Joined: 23 Feb 2002 1:01 am
- Location: Florida and New Jersey
- Contact:
Mandolin players
Lots of gigs for Bluegrass these days...
Dave O'Brien
Emmons D-10, CMI D-10, Fender Deluxe Reverb, PV 112, Fender Pro Reverb
www.myspace.com/daveobrienband
Emmons D-10, CMI D-10, Fender Deluxe Reverb, PV 112, Fender Pro Reverb
www.myspace.com/daveobrienband
-
- Posts: 6870
- Joined: 20 Apr 2002 12:01 am
- Location: Over there
Man, I've seen Sam play that Mando-caster, and it sounded like a Les Paul. I know he tunes the Nationan E-A-E-A a lot for slide. I don't know if I've ever seen anybody as "eat up" with music as Sam is!Michael Johnstone wrote:In the world of mandolins, "tone bars" refers to a type of internal bracing which are 2 semi-parallel fore & aft oriented top braces. Most F-style and mandolins voiced for bluegrass use this design. There's another type of top bracing called "X-bracing" which is shaped like what it's name suggests. X-braced instruments are less strident and more full bodied than tone-bar braced mandos. Rigels are unique in that they have a single lateral tone bar brace.
Now if you're referring to playing slide mandolin, I've seen Sam Bush do it on an old Fender 4-string solid-body and a National reso-mando (also single course) and it was quite musical in his hands. It can get quite bluesy & modal with all it's stacked 5ths and handy open string notes (G,D,A,E) but as I recall, Sam was playing mostly single note stuff. I wouldn't try it on an 8-string. I think it would sound too sloppy.
- Charley Wilder
- Posts: 339
- Joined: 9 Dec 2004 1:01 am
- Location: Dover, New Hampshire, USA
I also have played mandolin at one time in my shaky career. I played an old Gibson F2 back in the 70's in a Bluegrass band. I didn't like it much as it was wood bound. It had a real muddy tone and NO volume what so ever! I had three or four A's back then. They were okay but not much ring. My best sounding mandolin was an Alvarez F5 copy. I used to get put down a lot for playing a "Jap" instrument back then but sound and tone are sound and tone. It sounded great!