This video showed up in my feed today and just finished watching. I know this store well. I bought several instruments from DFC in the early 2000s and Jeff and the rest of the staff were always great to work with. I do not have any financial interest. Just a long time satisfied buyer.
Great information ! I have a Batwing which I have owned since around 1973 and it has a great tone. Don't know the value today but I paid around $100. for it then. Thanks for the education.
I really appreciate this video! I've been wanting to pick up another new instrument lately and the Mandolin has been calling, and this was great timing to see! Thank you for sharing your insight with everyone :)
Thanks for a wonderfully informative video. But being in the Midwest I probably won’t be able to stop by in person. I will check your website. But before I do. I hope to find more sound samples there. And would have especially loved if your video would have mentioned what models you were playing. Cheers
Thank you so much for all the great info. I recently had to stop playing the cello due to a shoulder injury, and I have been looking into learning the mandolin.
Agreed, this was a very nice presentation. However, there are about 10,000 people over at the mandolin cafe that would disagree that the scroll of an F style makes it sound better or more powerful then an A stye. No disrespect sir.
@Atma Nice theory, but flawed by simple assumptions. Any mass that you add to or take away from a vibrating acoustic chamber will affect its sound. Also; The scroll is partially hollow, and anyone who has had any experience with playing many of both types will tell you different. It’s not just a straphanger.
Mandolin player semi-professionally for some 40 years. One of the biggest issues I have with mandolins I encounter, either through students or simply looking over at shops, is that the nut is all too commonly too "short" (1.125-ish); it's almost as if the maker took his/her cue from a violin. The average hand size of an adult mandoline player cannot perform on so small an area, and for that matter, it really isn't necessary to have the strings flare out so from the nut towards to bridge. When I recommend students and intermediate players to buy one mando or another, I encourage them to seek an instrument with a nut around 1.375 or so. Some "good" mandolines suffer from the "small nut" while some "decent" models at least give the player room for their fingers.
I agree completely , as a guitar player nothing frustrates me more than a 28 mm nut width which is typically what Eastman use , so well constructed though they are , not for me. Unfortunately the choice of mandolins with wider nuts/boards is not so plentiful
I have pretty fat fingers, and I've seen some big guys with huge hands play mandolins with standard necks... you just have to get used to it.. I do however custom male mandolins with wider necks.. the only problem with them is that its slightly slower when trying to cross pick... but you can still haul boogie with any other picking.
@@thefreese1 I;ve had a mandolin with a standard neck for over 20 years, i occasionally drag it out for a recording project and everytime it frustrates the hell out of me . This year after using it , i kept it out and increased my chord knowledge and have used it a fair bit and decided i wouldn;t mind upgrading to a really good quality one but even with this extra use and incentive , i still think its too narrow , so no i can;t get used to it. I really don't see how a wider neck would effect your picking , but i'm no virtuoso so i wont argue the point.
Depends on hand size. But even disregarding neck width, people like Mike Marshall manage just fine. The violinist Itzhak Perlman has massive mitts and plays amazingly with no excuses.
Do you get any bowl back mandolins or mandolas? I’m looking for a mandarin or mandola for playing more early baroque and Celtic but an a woodwind and keyboard player so the little one your played first is nice. I love your solid wood $500. range. Beautiful instruments. I’ve wanted a mandolin all my life so want what calls out my name. Ha. Thank you for all the information.
Hi and thank you for your question. We get bowl back instruments in for repair from time to time but we do not carry bowl backs for sale. You might find one on Reverb.com.
I bought a Harley benton mandolin f style mandolin sometime back costing $300. But I am not satisfied with the sound reproduction. Very low resonance,somewhat muffled sounds are produced. Could you suggest any adjustments that would give this mandolin a better resonant sound reproduction? I shall be highly obliged. Thank you
Thanks for your question, but without the instrument in hand there is no way for us to determine whether there is something wrong that might be repaired. If you don't have access to our store I'd suggest that you seek the services of a luthier or instrument specialist.
I found an a style harmony . no serial number that i can see. Sounds good and has a little wider neck. Model number is m 100. Im looking to get an f style thanks.for great info.
I just bought an f style Loar lm310 at guitar center here in kennesaw ga. Love it, need to lower the bridge I think to get it to play easier, but still great make for 349.00 , maple, I’m guitar player just learning mando. It great fun.
Hi. The store doesn't have a price range for those. It would be best to call the store at 303.777.4786 and speak to an instrument specialist about the options available. Thank you
Does anyone know where I can get a good classical mandolin, that is on the lower price range? I'm looking into getting one but dont want to commit a whole lot of money to one just yet. I dont really want of of the bluegrass style ones, just the classical for now.
I cannot give Eastman mandolins a higher recommendation. I have a MD-415 and always receive comments from other mandolin owners regarding the incredible tone.
@@FailingStreetBridge I have the black 405 and a lot of full time musicians rave about the tone. I tried buying a 305 but they are simply too popular, so I moved up. Eastman makes one hell of a mandolin.
Curious Scruggs-style banjo player here: would it be a big leap to take up the Mando, or are there any transferrable skills from the banjo onto that instrument, that will make the learning curve a bit more ... shallow?
Playing one-string instrument is always beneficial to learning to play a different one. Left-hand fingering skills would transfer nicely from banjo to mandolin, though you will likely want to learn to play chords as well as individual notes on the mandolin. The right hand is, however, quite different. Mandolins are played with a pick so that my be a new skill to develop. Thanks for the question.
@@thedenverfolklorecenter Why, thanks for such an extensive answer! I used to play the guitar - even if I only strummed cowboy chords, and I am currently practicing single-string style on the banjo, which emulates alternate picking with a flat plectrum (although us banjo players use our thumb and finger picks for that as well). Which means the learning curve might not be that steep for me, after all! Cheers ;-)
I prefer an Electric Mandolin cause the strings are thinner & closer to the fretboard making it easier to fret the strings. The neck is also thinner & also the body is flat which means it's eaiser to hold.
Maybe it was what he played, but I thought the Kentucky sounded better than the Collings. The Collings sounded a little muted. Maybe it would open up with alot of playing?
I Only want to own a Gibson F5 don't want anything else to perform on , call me a snob , I don't mind , I play on a Martin D28 now onto a decent mandolin.
My advice to a buyer. NEVER BUY WITHOUT PLAYING IT. Even the best name brands have produced some dogs. The exception to my rule is, if it's very cheap take a chance. One of the best I have only cost me $200. I bought it sight unseen because it was cheap and got lucky.
This video showed up in my feed today and just finished watching. I know this store well. I bought several instruments from DFC in the early 2000s and Jeff and the rest of the staff were always great to work with. I do not have any financial interest. Just a long time satisfied buyer.
Thanks for sharing!
Great information ! I have a Batwing which I have owned since around 1973 and it has a great tone. Don't know the value today but I paid around $100. for it then. Thanks for the education.
I really appreciate this video! I've been wanting to pick up another new instrument lately and the Mandolin has been calling, and this was great timing to see! Thank you for sharing your insight with everyone :)
Super helpful since I’m shopping for a first mandolin. Thanks much!
Thanks for a wonderfully informative video. But being in the Midwest I probably won’t be able to stop by in person. I will check your website. But before I do. I hope to find more sound samples there. And would have especially loved if your video would have mentioned what models you were playing. Cheers
Which of those mandolins has the best action?
I really enjoyed this video. Great, clear information, and a pleasant personality. Thank you.
Very helpful video for someone new to mandolins, thank you!
You're very welcome!
Thank you so much for all the great info. I recently had to stop playing the cello due to a shoulder injury, and I have been looking into learning the mandolin.
I am shopping, and your video is super helpful. Thank you for sharing your wonderful knowledge.
Most beautiful and melodious instruments.
Hi Jeff! Thank you for the information.
You bet!
You play beautifully ! ❤️🎶
Thanks. I have seen those Loars advertised as being all hand carved wood, Spruce and maple....
So helpful! Thank you!
If you consider the scroll being almost solid inside as are the points the influence in sound is rather marginal. Sound chamber is the same.
Agreed, this was a very nice presentation. However, there are about 10,000 people over at the mandolin cafe that would disagree that the scroll of an F style makes it sound better or more powerful then an A stye.
No disrespect sir.
@@douglaspeters6990 I love to learn.
Yep it’s purely aesthetic
@Atma Nice theory, but flawed by simple assumptions.
Any mass that you add to or take away from a vibrating acoustic chamber will affect its sound. Also; The scroll is partially hollow, and anyone who has had any experience with playing many of both types will tell you different. It’s not just a straphanger.
@@f5mando, guess you’re right with that. I like to learn and it makes sense what you’ve got to say.
Mandolin player semi-professionally for some 40 years. One of the biggest issues I have with mandolins I encounter, either through students or simply looking over at shops, is that the nut is all too commonly too "short" (1.125-ish); it's almost as if the maker took his/her cue from a violin. The average hand size of an adult mandoline player cannot perform on so small an area, and for that matter, it really isn't necessary to have the strings flare out so from the nut towards to bridge. When I recommend students and intermediate players to buy one mando or another, I encourage them to seek an instrument with a nut around 1.375 or so. Some "good" mandolines suffer from the "small nut" while some "decent" models at least give the player room for their fingers.
I disagree. I have been playing mandolin for 25 years and I prefer the narrow necks. That sit closer to a violin profile.
I agree completely , as a guitar player nothing frustrates me more than a 28 mm nut width which is typically what Eastman use , so well constructed though they are , not for me. Unfortunately the choice of mandolins with wider nuts/boards is not so plentiful
I have pretty fat fingers, and I've seen some big guys with huge hands play mandolins with standard necks... you just have to get used to it..
I do however custom male mandolins with wider necks.. the only problem with them is that its slightly slower when trying to cross pick... but you can still haul boogie with any other picking.
@@thefreese1 I;ve had a mandolin with a standard neck for over 20 years, i occasionally drag it out for a recording project and everytime it frustrates the hell out of me . This year after using it , i kept it out and increased my chord knowledge and have used it a fair bit and decided i wouldn;t mind upgrading to a really good quality one but even with this extra use and incentive , i still think its too narrow , so no i can;t get used to it. I really don't see how a wider neck would effect your picking , but i'm no virtuoso so i wont argue the point.
Depends on hand size. But even disregarding neck width, people like Mike Marshall manage just fine. The violinist Itzhak Perlman has massive mitts and plays amazingly with no excuses.
Thank you for posting! Keep up the mandolin related content!
What brand are those F styles?
Do you get any bowl back mandolins or mandolas? I’m looking for a mandarin or mandola for playing more early baroque and Celtic but an a woodwind and keyboard player so the little one your played first is nice. I love your solid wood $500. range. Beautiful instruments. I’ve wanted a mandolin all my life so want what calls out my name. Ha. Thank you for all the information.
Hi and thank you for your question. We get bowl back instruments in for repair from time to time but we do not carry bowl backs for sale. You might find one on Reverb.com.
I bought a Harley benton mandolin f style mandolin sometime back costing $300.
But I am not satisfied with the sound reproduction.
Very low resonance,somewhat muffled sounds are produced.
Could you suggest any adjustments that would give this mandolin a better resonant sound reproduction?
I shall be highly obliged.
Thank you
Thanks for your question, but without the instrument in hand there is no way for us to determine whether there is something wrong that might be repaired. If you don't have access to our store I'd suggest that you seek the services of a luthier or instrument specialist.
@@cbrachfeld ok.thanks for your prompt reply.
@@jyotirmoykataki2131
Put a deer bone nut on it.
Is that the Pava A4?
I found an a style harmony . no serial number that i can see. Sounds good and has a little wider neck. Model number is m 100. Im looking to get an f style thanks.for great info.
Does it have a sunburn finish? If so I have the same one, I got it from an old fella at a garage sale for $60
Yea it does , pretty good shape. I gave 75 for it. Sunburst I guess you'd call it.
I just bought an f style Loar lm310 at guitar center here in kennesaw ga. Love it, need to lower the bridge I think to get it to play easier, but still great make for 349.00 , maple, I’m guitar player just learning mando. It great fun.
@@bajamus69 Sunburst finish ;)
Your video was very informative. Thank You!
What do you put the price range for a cheaper left-handed mandolin
Hi. The store doesn't have a price range for those. It would be best to call the store at 303.777.4786 and speak to an instrument specialist about the options available. Thank you
Does anyone know where I can get a good classical mandolin, that is on the lower price range? I'm looking into getting one but dont want to commit a whole lot of money to one just yet. I dont really want of of the bluegrass style ones, just the classical for now.
I cannot give Eastman mandolins a higher recommendation. I have a MD-415 and always receive comments from other mandolin owners regarding the incredible tone.
@@timothyshannon8694 alright, thanks!
Matsikas mandolins
Great explanation thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
What can you tell us about a Mandoblaster Electric Mandolin 4 string?
Thanks for the question. We're not familiar with this one. Maybe try the folks at the Mandolin Cafe at www.mandolincafe.com.
Good information. Thanks!
Why is nobody talking about round back Napolitan mandolins? They're so cool!
I know, right? I can hardly find any content about them.
What is the model of the very first Loar Mando? Please!! Thank you
Hello! That mandolin is a Loar LM-110-BRB
@@thedenverfolklorecenter thank you 🙏
Where'd the oval hole "A" style mandolin go? No price info on that one?
Thanks, im shopping for my first mandolin and im completely confused, this should really help 👍.
Thank you for a very informative video.
Playability is premo important,! I bought a eastman 514 f style and can hardly fret the thing ...something is way wrong and i dont know what it is
the neck width i would say
I love my Eastman 305.....
Always wanted an Eastman.
@@FailingStreetBridge I have the black 405 and a lot of full time musicians rave about the tone. I tried buying a 305 but they are simply too popular, so I moved up. Eastman makes one hell of a mandolin.
Would you ship overseas?
Hi. Can you give us a call (303.777.4786) or email (info@denverfolklore.com) so we can help? Thank you.
No mention of bowlbacks? They're pretty important in the history of the mandolin in the US.
Seagull S 8 sg style mando Canadian made best overall you can buy
Note, the Collings price was not mentioned…lol
Curious Scruggs-style banjo player here: would it be a big leap to take up the Mando, or are there any transferrable skills from the banjo onto that instrument, that will make the learning curve a bit more ... shallow?
Playing one-string instrument is always beneficial to learning to play a different one. Left-hand fingering skills would transfer nicely from banjo to mandolin, though you will likely want to learn to play chords as well as individual notes on the mandolin. The right hand is, however, quite different. Mandolins are played with a pick so that my be a new skill to develop. Thanks for the question.
@@thedenverfolklorecenter Why, thanks for such an extensive answer! I used to play the guitar - even if I only strummed cowboy chords, and I am currently practicing single-string style on the banjo, which emulates alternate picking with a flat plectrum (although us banjo players use our thumb and finger picks for that as well). Which means the learning curve might not be that steep for me, after all! Cheers ;-)
The bridge on the first manolin seem to break the rule of lining up with the cutout in the body.
this video is gold. very helpfull for someone who doesnt know anything about mando's like me haha
So glad this helps you!
I prefer an Electric Mandolin cause the strings are thinner & closer to the fretboard making it easier to fret the strings. The neck is also thinner & also the body is flat which means it's eaiser to hold.
I always thought it was called A-style because with the bridge, it looks like an A if you cut off the round bottom part.
I want electrified f-style Mandolin. Please give me a information & send a good Mandolin.
I wish I was American just for the folk instruments. We have some canadian brand, but no review anywhere...
Thanks!
"You could break the bank and it'd be a lot of fun". Lol. I'm going to start saying that.
Maybe it was what he played, but I thought the Kentucky sounded better than the Collings. The Collings sounded a little muted. Maybe it would open up with alot of playing?
Bro, this is where I got my first banjo
didnt want to scare people with the price of the collings lol
I Only want to own a Gibson F5 don't want anything else to perform on , call me a snob , I don't mind , I play on a Martin D28 now onto a decent mandolin.
You forgot the third type - bowl-back or Neapolitan!
Northfield...ask Mike Marshall
👌👌👍👍🙏❤️🌹❤️🙏👍👍👌👌
My advice to a buyer. NEVER BUY WITHOUT PLAYING IT. Even the best name brands have produced some dogs. The exception to my rule is, if it's very cheap take a chance. One of the best I have only cost me $200. I bought it sight unseen because it was cheap and got lucky.
Thanks!
A comes from Almond form, I guess
I actually know why they called them A style.
That was really nice of you to leave a comment that you know why they're called a style but then not tell us. Good for you!
A stands for 'Artist'.
Ha! Who told you that?
Uh oh! I parked my car in their lot while I ran into Game Stop… better run back out and move it! 😬
Met a guy at a pick who liked me F style eastman 315 more than his collings MF lol
....i just bought what i could afford xD
A is American