My new Mandolin.

After struggling with my terrible, cheap, garbage Old Hickory mando, I've finally got myself a decent mandolin.

It's an Alvarez F3ANT. A solid spruce top, solid flamed maple back and sides, F-5 style in antique violin satin finish. I may just "Townsend" my Old Hickory once the Alvarez gets here.



http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q162/AshCaster/Mandolins/F3Ant.jpg



http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q162/AshCaster/Mandolins/F3bottomback.jpg

Damn, that's pretty!!!

I have lots of unrequited mandolin lust...

Cheers, Tim

Now, I know you have a pointy headstock guitar in yhour closet, and now I'm finding out you are a mando player too?

Mr Crash, you are truly a renaissance man. Good to have you back.

thats purdy

Got yerself one o dem fancy 8 string mini geetars, uh? Kinda like a 12-string ukelele?

I have an inexpensive Washburn mando I've never been able to intonate (and thus tune) properly. I understand your frustration. That one you have there is a beaut!

Damn, that's pretty!!!

I have lots of unrequited mandolin lust...

Cheers, Tim



Give in to your lust... Mandolins are FUN! This from a dumb, young, punk rock/heavy metal, whipersnap - such as myself :)



Now, I know you have a pointy headstock guitar in yhour closet, and now I'm finding out you are a mando player too?

Mr Crash, you are truly a renaissance man. Good to have you back.



You mean this one?



http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q162/AshCaster/Guitars/JacksonRRV.jpg



Do you think I can play some good old Monroe or Scruggs on this classic, traditional Jackson?

Bluegrass is just Speed Metal unplugged, right? :)

Give in to your lust... Mandolins are FUN! This from a dumb, young, punk rock/heavy metal, whipersnap - such as myself :)







You mean this one?



http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q162/AshCaster/Guitars/JacksonRRV.jpg



Do you think I can play some good old Monroe or Scruggs on this classic, traditional Jackson?

Bluegrass is just Speed Metal unplugged, right? :)

Albert Lee and Vince Gill can play Earl Scruggs on Electric Guitars
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tis a thing of beauty!

After struggling with my terrible, cheap, garbage Old Hickory mando, I've finally got myself a decent mandolin.

It's an Alvarez F3ANT. A solid spruce top, solid flamed maple back and sides, F-5 style in antique violin satin finish. I may just "Townsend" my Old Hickory once the Alvarez gets here.



http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q162/AshCaster/Mandolins/F3Ant.jpg



http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q162/AshCaster/Mandolins/F3bottomback.jpg

Beautiful, isn't it? Recently picked up an Alvarez F3ANT myself. At a recent session, the engineer had me record (acoustically, with an ancient Neumann mic), the same passage with the Alvarez, my Ovation, and my el cheapo Fender. Without question, the Alvarez sat best within the track, so we recorded that.

For a mandolin session on Friday, I'll be bringing the lowly Fender (huh?!). Reason being that, in terms of sheer playability and intonation, it destroys every proper mandolin that I've ever played, and since there will be no engineer taste tests involved, and my only agenda is to supply mandolin tracks, Fender it will be. The guys at Mandolin Cafe already think that I'm an idiot, but I'm the guy that has to cut my tracks.

Beautiful, isn't it? Recently picked up an Alvarez F3ANT myself. At a recent session, the engineer had me record (acoustically, with an ancient Neumann mic), the same passage with the Alvarez, my Ovation, and my el cheapo Fender. Without question, the Alvarez sat best within the track, so we recorded that.

For a mandolin session on Friday, I'll be bringing the lowly Fender (huh?!). Reason being that, in terms of sheer playability and intonation, it destroys every proper mandolin that I've ever played, and since there will be no engineer taste tests involved, and my only agenda is to supply mandolin tracks, Fender it will be. The guys at Mandolin Cafe already think that I'm an idiot, but I'm the guy that has to cut my tracks.



Man, I can't wait till this thing arrives.

Funny, I just recently joined Mandolin Cafe and asked about personal experiences with Alvarez'es... nobody had any, so it was a shot in the dark buying this one online... that flame practically made me weep, so I just had to buy it - just to see if it plays/sounds as good as it looks.

Any thoughts on Alvarez mandos in general? Overall, do you think I'll be very happy with it?

I don't think you're an idiot... some of my favorite blues or rock tracks of all-time were recorded on guitars that I wouldn't offend a fireplace with, and through mics and boards that were ridiculously subpar considering what we have in modern, ghetto-tabulous, bargain bins on mystery, warehouse dregs, clearance sales.

I'll be plugging this one into a Fishman M-100 passive bridge transducer and then into an L.R. Baggs Para Acoustic DI/preamp for amplified stuff.

right now i am looking around for a mandolin as well. all the mandos i dad before, had fatal problems with sinking tops. now i am looking for something ovationesque. it´s a bit of a problem to have a cheap mando. yours looks really good johnny!!!!!

That's ultra cool.:cool: :cool: :cool:

It might be time for an Explorer-bodied electric mandolin build, Mr. Crash...

I don't play mando, but I have been thinking of getting started. I've been asking the mando player in my band what to get into that would be decent for not a lot of cash, he says those Alvarez models are real winners for the money. Swears they are some of the best ever made for the price.

Like I said, I don't jack about 'em, but my guy likes 'em, and I'd have to say he knows what he's talking about.


Jake

Very, very nice!

This is my new mandolin:

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/539/medium/Epi_Mandobird_VIII.jpg

/ Tony

Bluegrass is just Speed Metal unplugged, right? :)

And I bet a lot of those bluegrass guys spend as much time on their hair as '80's metal bands. As a friend said the other night when we were discussing traditional bluegrass bands, "Not a hair or a note out of place."

It might be time for an Explorer-bodied electric mandolin build, Mr. Crash...



HAHAHA

I can feather my hair and play neoclassical Yngwie type stuff on mandolin... that would be cool... wait... maybe not! HAHA



I don't play mando, but I have been thinking of getting started. I've been asking the mando player in my band what to get into that would be decent for not a lot of cash, he says those Alvarez models are real winners for the money. Swears they are some of the best ever made for the price.




You totally should!

I thought it'd be difficult, but after a slight learning curve in the beginning, it's like learning Open G or other Open tuning, or something similar.

You'll begin to "think mandolin" in a few short weeks.



Very, very nice!

This is my new mandolin:

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/539/medium/Epi_Mandobird_VIII.jpg

/ Tony



Very cool!

What do you plug it into? I guess that would be one way of matching them pointy metal guitars approach with bluegrass! Plug it into an OD pedal and a MArshall halfstack! HAHA

WOW! That's looks great. I just picked up a Michael Kelly and I really like it. It's the Dragonfly. I'm not much of a mando player, but it's nice to have for a change of pace.

WOW! That's looks great. I just picked up a Michael Kelly and I really like it. It's the Dragonfly. I'm not much of a mando player, but it's nice to have for a change of pace.



I almost got a MK. A refurb Dragonfly, a blemished Deluxe, and a refurb acoustic-electric were all available...

How would you rate the MK's? I'll be interested in low-to-mid level mandos and hope to pickup a few.

What do you plug it into?
At the moment? A Fender Super Champ. But any amp with a good clean sound will do. I bet a Twin is the ultimate!
It's a fine instrument. I play blues inspired by Yank Rachel & Johhny Young. A hint of distortion works very well!

/ Tony

Man, I can't wait till this thing arrives.

Funny, I just recently joined Mandolin Cafe and asked about personal experiences with Alvarez'es... nobody had any, so it was a shot in the dark buying this one online... that flame practically made me weep, so I just had to buy it - just to see if it plays/sounds as good as it looks.

Any thoughts on Alvarez mandos in general? Overall, do you think I'll be very happy with it?

I'll be plugging this one into a Fishman M-100 passive bridge transducer and then into an L.R. Baggs Para Acoustic DI/preamp for amplified stuff.

My duo partner plays a (different model) Alvarez with a Fishman transducer into a Baggs pre into the PA, and it sounds pretty nice (that mando also records beautifully into a mic). However, the Ovation pickup/three band EQ system is the most useful live mando configuration that I've encountered (including full band scenarios). It has depth and range that my partner's Alvarez/Fishman/Baggs rig simply can't hang with. For playing live into a DI, I don't think it gets much better than the Ovation.

Further down the thread page, you're spoofing a bit about plugging a mando into a guitar amp... while I truly hate this arrangement, logistics at full band jobs occasionally dictate this as my only choice. While I can't speak to something like the Epiphone, I do have some thoughts on acoustic-electric mandos and guitar amps in general. Basically, there are two choices: constantly mute the low G course, or roll every bit of the lows and mids off of the instrument, else you'll have the biggest feedback mess on your hands that you can possibly imagine, unless volume levels are extremely polite. I'm way into DI whenever possible.

Enjoy the new score, it's a stunner to look at. What I want is a mid-priced mando that looks like a mandolin, records acoustically like the Alvarez, translates live like the Ovation, and plays like the little Fender! Oh, and thanks for not thinking I'm an idiot.

HAHA you're welcome - trust me, I'm an idiot and it takes one to know one... you're definitely not an idiot :)

I generally run my DI into a powered 15" JBL monitor/PA cab for my acoustic instruments... hopefully this will continue to work out for my mandolin too.

I did try an Ovation, but I am extremely adverse to their guitars, so it was never a serious consideration... now it's too late to try again, the Alvarez will be here Monday or Tuesday. I will need something I can mic and record too, so I guess the Ovation wouldn't fit that bill anyhow.

Now it comes time to figure out strings and a pick. I've been fine with my usual old picks, so I may just stick with them... but I've heard talk about flatwound mando strings (I've been using Martin roundwound mando strings). I'll need to ask about flatwounds now :)

They are tiny and they are super LOUD. I have a cheap but playable Sigma. Tons of fun. That's a beauty Johnny. If you play mando long enough you get the urge to wear little pointy leprechaun shoes and hop around the living room.....just wait.


Mine is plain (but loud as hell).....
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k106/johnlg-2006/GuitarCollection2003033B-1.jpg

I've heard talk about flatwound mando strings (I've been using Martin roundwound mando strings). I'll need to ask about flatwounds now :)

My old bandmate is a mandolin geek. He had, at the time, 15-20 mando-instruments: mandolin, octave mandolin, mandocello, metal-bodied resonator mandolin, solid-body electric mandolin, banjolin (manjo?), you get the idea...

He's been thinning the herd, focusing on his favorites. His Number One at the moment is a Godin that he put $35 Thomastik flatwound strings (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ThomastikInfeld-154-Mandolin-TinPlated-Steel-Flatwound-Medium-Strings?sku=101468) on. He's switching many of his remaining mandos over the these expensive flatwound strings. he raves about them.

I may need to give them a try, myself. (p.s. good to see you back, JC!)

I generally run my DI into a powered 15" JBL monitor/PA cab for my acoustic instruments... hopefully this will continue to work out for my mandolin too.

Should be a pretty good fit.

I did try an Ovation, but I am extremely adverse to their guitars, so it was never a serious consideration... now it's too late to try again, the Alvarez will be here Monday or Tuesday. I will need something I can mic and record too, so I guess the Ovation wouldn't fit that bill anyhow.

I'm with you, I never got on with Ovation guitars. After tiring of hearing me gripe about the way my Fender projected through a PA, a store owner that I teach for offered me an Ovation for stupid bucks, and for live, I wouldn't play anything else.

Are you a single man? I wish I'd had an Ovation mando when I was single. I can't believe what a chick magnet these things are, it's better than strolling a baby through the park. I can't play a gig without some lovely coming up to comment on "that cute little thing" I was playing.

Ovation records fine, but acoustically as well as electronically, it's a bit "full-bodied". If you seek sounds of bluegrass, ole timey, Americana, the Alvarez will most likely sit better within a track.

Now it comes time to figure out strings and a pick. I've been fine with my usual old picks, so I may just stick with them... but I've heard talk about flatwound mando strings (I've been using Martin roundwound mando strings). I'll need to ask about flatwounds now.

You know how some musicians will nitpick certain things to death, and yet can't be bothered with other considerations, regardless of how impactual they might be? Well, that's me and strings. I can hear the differences between various compositional makeups, but for whatever reasons, this is an area where I seem to be stubbornly lazy. I should fix that.

Picks I'm at least a little bit less lazy about. For general purpose live and recording considerations, I want a thick pick that offers lots of control. For as long as I can remember, I've been calling on purple Dunlop tortex 1.14's for general use. However, I hate thick picks for recording rhythms. I constantly buy all sorts of thin, flimsy picks, including the plastic ones, and I'll just go through a bunch of them and listen whenever I'm tracking. The mandolin portion of my session earlier this evening (and I did call upon the Fender) was a "strummy" thing, and I settled in with an .050 Clayton.

Damn, that's pretty!!!

I have lots of unrequited mandolin lust...

Cheers, Tim


I can relate. I used to play fiddle so it was natural to pick up the mandolin. I do truly miss it.

This is the one that gets my heart going pitter patter - designed and built by the Rice clan.


http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g5/zombywoof51/RiceMandolin.jpg

That's a beautiful mandolin, enjoy it! I just started playing mandolin a couple months ago after starting to participate in a weekly bluegrass jam. I thought it would be hard to go from guitar to mandolin tuning, but it makes sense pretty quickly. I bought an Eastman 615 and couldn't be happier. Please post some clips after you've broken her in!

Man, oh, man...I played a very nice mandolin that belonged to a friend of mine, and all my fiddle licks came back to me. He thought I had one, and had been playing. It wasn't me, it was the instrument. It just begged to be played.

Albert Lee and Vince Gill can play Earl Scruggs on Electric Guitars
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That guy playing the banjo solo is a real "Jerk." :wink:

"I'm picking out a Thermos for you. Not an ordinary Thermos for you. But the extra best Thermos that you can buy, with vinyl and stripes and a cup built right in."

Hi,Johnnycrash.........Nice mandolin.........I've heard a few different Alvarez mandolins and they all sounded good.I had even set one up for a guy one time and it was a very good mandolin.I play mandolin about 50% of the time and electric guitar the rest.One thing that I do thats very easy, when I set up mandolins ,is that I put a thin piece of real leather under the strings back on the tailpiece.Just take off the cover and you will see how the strings set right on the metal of the tail piece.Loosen the strings and slide the leather under the strings so that its between them and the tail piece.It has made a big difference on all the mando's I've worked on.What it does is transfers the power of the strings more to the wood of the mando and you get better tone and punch by doing this. Enjoy.....:smile: :smile:

Thanks for the tip... it gets here Tuesday, so I'll try it as soon as I can!

Glad you joined MandolinCafe. It's a great site- many pros post there as well.
I just posted in Bad Dog a pic of my main mando, so I won't repost it here, but check it out, it's a beaut!
BTW- that Alvarez is sharp looking!

It looks like tomorrow, well I guess today (it's 1am in the morning right now) my mando should be on the way.

FedEx in my town has left guitars on the porch all day, so I am nervous as I will likely not be home much tomorrow (er, today)... although, the tracking info does say "signature required," so I feel a little better.

I hope it gets here safely!

I cannot wait... man, I cannot wait...

good luck with your Alvarez Johnny ..it looks very sweet
I've got a Michael Kelly deluxe and couldn't be happier with it..never goes out of tune and plays so nice...do yourself a favor and make your second mando an MK...reading this over
I could sell vacuum cleaners eh?:roll:
here's a pic...

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q209/roadman_photos/DSCF0103.jpg

Johnny that looks great. I found after getting Mando that my guitar playing was better. Not sure I understand why, but the effect was there just the same. Probably because I was spending more time in the "music" room practicing. Of course you are upgrading, but I find I spend more time in practice after each upgrade too!

Good luck with your new purchase.

Johnny ...how's the new mando?

Johnny ...how's the new mando?



Fantastic!

I had to sand the bridge of the Fishman M-100 piezo pickup so I could get the action lower... thumbwheels were all the way down and it was still too high :)

Plugged in, she sounds great. A lot of body noise though, so I'll have to work on my right/pickin hand to keep stage sound down.

The flame and finish are just as nice as the photos showed. I like the violin finish, it's still traditional looking, but not the usual thing.

Now I just need to get better at playing this dang thing! HAHA

After struggling with my terrible, cheap, garbage Old Hickory mando, I've finally got myself a decent mandolin.

It's an Alvarez F3ANT. A solid spruce top, solid flamed maple back and sides, F-5 style in antique violin satin finish. I may just "Townsend" my Old Hickory once the Alvarez gets here.



http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q162/AshCaster/Mandolins/F3Ant.jpg



http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q162/AshCaster/Mandolins/F3bottomback.jpg

Somehow...I can't see you 'Townshending' a Mandolin. Maybe look for a dwarf to do it for you. Just seems to look better in my mind.

Plugged in, she sounds great. A lot of body noise though, so I'll have to work on my right/pickin hand to keep stage sound down.

Cool, glad you're ejoying it. At this point, I think I'd have a bit of difficulty without onboard volume and tone for the live thing, but I'll be interested in hearing what you think after a few outings with the Fishman.

The instrument seems to have lots of inherent presence (as mic'ed) and it's a bit unforgiving as to slop (sorta like a good Tele). The payoff is that it can sit exceptionally well within a track, with clean execution.

Also, this is the only mando I've played on a regular basis that has an extended upper fingerboard range (is it possible to make any money past the 16th fret?!); I'm sure it's old hat for veteran mando players, but the available window for picking is much smaller than what I'm used to, which caused me to hone and focus the right hand a bit more, particularly for aggressive "strummy" rhythm tracks.

That guy playing the banjo solo is a real "Jerk." :wink:

"I'm picking out a Thermos for you. Not an ordinary Thermos for you. But the extra best Thermos that you can buy, with vinyl and stripes and a cup built right in."
I swear it took me like 45 seconds before I got that joke.

Also, this is the only mando I've played on a regular basis that has an extended upper fingerboard range (is it possible to make any money past the 16th fret?!); I'm sure it's old hat for veteran mando players, but the available window for picking is much smaller than what I'm used to, which caused me to hone and focus the right hand a bit more, particularly for aggressive "strummy" rhythm tracks.



I hear that. My crappy old mando had more room for my pick to chop. Now that extended fretboard is cutting into my picking area :)

Got a few bluegrass compilation CDs and I'll be really going at learning this thing!