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Gilmourisgod - Posted - 07/15/2016: 07:10:39
My son is a bass player who has developed an interest in bluegrass, wants to get a mandolin. My mother-in-law thought she had and old mando, found this up in the attic:
This looks like it's been under 4 string tension for years, found the remaining 4 strings in the case, still in original packets. I thinks this is 1940's manufacture, but can't find a date on it. The neck has developed a front bow, with very high action. Is this possible/worth returning to playable condition? Any info or advice on this appreciated.
Edited by - Gilmourisgod on 07/15/2016 13:05:06
DHopkins - Posted - 07/15/2016: 13:07:04
A good luthier should be able to put it back into playable condition if the neck is the only problem.
That instrument, however, would probably not be what your son would want to play in a bluegrass band. An "A: or "F" would have the tones expected in a bluegrass band.
I have a Recording King resophonic mandolin and it gets played very little. Occasionally, it's used in some of our band's novelty songs because no one expects good music in that kind of song. They're more interested in the lyrics. (Actually, I'm considering selling it. I don't play it enough to justify the space it takes up. It's pretty but not particularly useful in the music our band plays.)
Edited by - DHopkins on 07/15/2016 13:07:52
Gilmourisgod - Posted - 07/15/2016: 13:16:38
quote:
Originally posted by DHopkins
A good luthier should be able to put it back into playable condition if the neck is the only problem.
That instrument, however, would probably not be what your son would want to play in a bluegrass band. An "A: or "F" would have the tones expected in a bluegrass band.
I have a Recording King resophonic mandolin and it gets played very little. Occasionally, it's used in some of our band's novelty songs because no one expects good music in that kind of song. They're more interested in the lyrics. (Actually, I'm considering selling it. I don't play it enough to justify the space it takes up. It's pretty but not particularly useful in the music our band plays.)
Yeah, this is out of left field, my Mother in-law thought she had an old mandolin on her hands, this is what surfaced. It has some sentimental value because it was my son's great-granfather who owned it, and he's the only grandson with much interest or aptitude for playing music. He's been looking at traditional "F" style and "teardrop" shaped mandolins, but we don't know enough to find a decent quality beginners model, and his eyes are bigger than his wallet. If this doesn't do it for him, can you recommend a good entry-level mando that's decent quality? He's been looking at some with built-in piezo pickups, but I usually just see them miked.
DHopkins - Posted - 07/15/2016: 20:01:15
Both Eastman and Kentucky have some good quality, lesser expensive models. Whatever model you choose, look for a used one and as long as everything is intact and in the right place, looks really don't matter much. Pick scratches on the front and "buckle rash" on the back may even mean it's a decent instrument because it was played a lot. I wouldn't spend a lot of money on something that may end up in the attic next to the Carophone.
Unless he's gonna be using it in a band very soon, I wouldn't worry about a pickup or mic. A pick-up will cost a little extra. See the last sentence in the previous paragraph.
"A" models (teardrops) tend to be a little more mellow than the "F" style which have a little more of a bark (but not always).
If he decides he likes the mandolin and wants to continue then you can....... Well, let's just wait and see.
I corrected some spelling.
Edited by - DHopkins on 07/15/2016 20:02:35
