BassBod Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 We've got a lovely John Marlowe electric here doing nothing ..... pm if you're interested? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 @Hillbilly Deluxe - check out Rally. Mine has a pickup and looks cool as fish and when I had more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillbilly deluxe Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 I was checking out a Brunswick that was similar to that one,but it was'nt as nice to play as my Stagg.I'll check a Rally out,also got GAS for a Mandobird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mart Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 [quote name='hillbilly deluxe' post='1312364' date='Jul 22 2011, 09:14 AM']I was checking out a Brunswick that was similar to that one,but it was'nt as nice to play as my Stagg.I'll check a Rally out,also got GAS for a Mandobird.[/quote] I recently bought a Mandobird on a silly whim. It is a very silly instrument indeed, but in a grey depressing world, it's fantastic to have an instrument that makes me giggle every time I think about it! Another major advantage is that I can play it sitting down, whereas I could never find a comfortable way of holding a traditional mandolin/a when seated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillbilly deluxe Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 I think that's one of the reasons for GASsing over a Mandobird,the complete sillyness.i could just buy the Electric version of my Stagg for under £100,but how boring is that ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mart Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 Yep, it has to be the mandobird in that case. But watch the quality control. Mine came with one of the bridge screws missing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick's Fine '52 Posted July 24, 2011 Share Posted July 24, 2011 [quote name='mart' post='1312385' date='Jul 22 2011, 09:34 AM']I recently bought a Mandobird on a silly whim. It is a very silly instrument indeed, but in a grey depressing world, it's fantastic to have an instrument that makes me giggle every time I think about it! Another major advantage is that I can play it sitting down, whereas I could never find a comfortable way of holding a traditional mandolin/a when seated.[/quote] What are the mandobirds actually like?, I'm a bass player, and was in Denmark St at the weekend, and their everywhere, had a little play, and it was very cool, but as you say, very silly, and i nearly bought one, but thought i'd sleep on it, and i'm glad i did! I'd still like one, but wondering if they are worth £130?? Are they actually proper playable instruments, or a bit of folly?? Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mart Posted July 24, 2011 Share Posted July 24, 2011 [quote name='Rick's Fine '52' post='1314961' date='Jul 24 2011, 06:09 PM']What are the mandobirds actually like?, I'm a bass player, and was in Denmark St at the weekend, and their everywhere, had a little play, and it was very cool, but as you say, very silly, and i nearly bought one, but thought i'd sleep on it, and i'm glad i did! I'd still like one, but wondering if they are worth £130?? Are they actually proper playable instruments, or a bit of folly?? Thanks in advance.[/quote] I would say they are proper playable instruments. I've never played a high-end mandolin or mandola (only sub £200 instruments), so maybe it wouldn't meet your standards if you are used to high class instruments. But for me it is a perfectly ok beast. I have read lots of comments about the pickup not detecting the E string well enough, giving an unbalanced sound, but I haven't had that problem - I've tweaked the set-up and it all sounds fine. The only slight issue is the intonation. I've got the 8-string and it only has a 2-screws for moving the saddle, so you can't set the intonation precisely (whereas the 4-string has 4 individually adjustable saddle pieces). But it's not yet enough of an issue to make me buy another bridge. I guess, at the end of the day, it depends on your needs. I play lots of bass, quite a lot of guitar, but only play mandolin/a for about one song every year or so. If your main instrument is a mando, you probably shouldn't be looking at these things (except possibly as a 4th or 5th instrument!) And the fact that I can play it sat on the sofa means that I'm picking it up to play much more often than my traditional-shaped mandola. So that's gotta be a good thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick's Fine '52 Posted July 24, 2011 Share Posted July 24, 2011 [quote name='mart' post='1314996' date='Jul 24 2011, 06:55 PM']I would say they are proper playable instruments. I've never played a high-end mandolin or mandola (only sub £200 instruments), so maybe it wouldn't meet your standards if you are used to high class instruments. But for me it is a perfectly ok beast. I have read lots of comments about the pickup not detecting the E string well enough, giving an unbalanced sound, but I haven't had that problem - I've tweaked the set-up and it all sounds fine. The only slight issue is the intonation. I've got the 8-string and it only has a 2-screws for moving the saddle, so you can't set the intonation precisely (whereas the 4-string has 4 individually adjustable saddle pieces). But it's not yet enough of an issue to make me buy another bridge. I guess, at the end of the day, it depends on your needs. I play lots of bass, quite a lot of guitar, but only play mandolin/a for about one song every year or so. If your main instrument is a mando, you probably shouldn't be looking at these things (except possibly as a 4th or 5th instrument!) And the fact that I can play it sat on the sofa means that I'm picking it up to play much more often than my traditional-shaped mandola. So that's gotta be a good thing.[/quote] Thanks Mart, useful info. I only play bass, and l just fell in love with this mini firebird/T-bird. Playing it was fun, with little two finger chords, but i've never played a mando, so was considering 'branching out', there price was £129, which i thought was a steal for aelectric one that looked this good. I may have a punt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillbilly deluxe Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 £129 is a good price,they are about £30 more up here.The Eastwood Mandocaster is also good,i would say better than the Fender version that the guitarist in one of my old bands had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KK Jale Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 Here's mine... 1915 Gibby A1. Found it at a vintage show in Dallas many years ago. Really should play it more... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBus Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 I had a chat with Hilary James at a gig once and she didn't rate the Mandobass much. Even she said your better off with a double bass. The mandobass just doesn't have the volume. Bit like an acoustic bass then. Here's another bouzouki. My Fyle Octavius with 25" scale, shorter than the regular Irish bouzouki. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomBassmonkey Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 (edited) The guitarist in my band uses one for a couple of songs, great little thing! Once you've stuck a hot rail in it and run it through a Mesa... Old vid, but you'll get the idea Edited July 30, 2011 by ThomBassmonkey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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