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Get the performance you paid for
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Mandolin Evaluation
Part 2
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Part 2: Mandolin Categories
Mandolins generally fall into three
categories: factory-produced commercial
instruments, small-shop instruments, and
individually built instruments.
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Trade Mandolins: Commercial trade mandolins are built using mass production
techniques. Often the tops, backs, and necks are carved by machine or by
unskilled labor, then assembled in mass. These instruments range from
incredibly poor to rather good, depending on the source. Most trade mandolins
today come from Asia, although in past times Italy, Germany, and the US
produced quickly made commercial mandolins. The worst are unplayable. The
better ones are adequately carved, with nicely milled tops and backs, decent
commercial grade finish, and a reasonable shop setup done by the seller.
These instruments are suitable for beginners and intermediate players.
Unfortunately trade mandolins are often dolled up with fancy inlays, fancy
fittings, and flashy varnish, placed in fancy looking cases, and sold for far more
than they should be given the modest performance. Performance and
construction quality are not related to the appearance of a trade instrument.
Often a quite modest appearing mandolin will have excellent construction while a
flashy, highly flamed model will be terribly constructed or made of unaged wood
that soon shrinks and cracks. The real value comes from the acoustic
performance.
Factory instrument lines on the market include Morgan Monroe, Michael Kelly,
Fender, Epiphone, and the like.
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Small-Shop Instruments: Small shop instruments are often higher quality,
usually look better to educated eyes, and generally incorporate acoustical
tuning not present in factory instruments. They are still commercially made,
although made in limited quantities by skilled craftsmen under the direction of a
master. Small shop mandolins generally have some to a great deal of attention
paid to acoustic aspects of construction. Typically the work is completely or
predominantly by hand. Varnish is often quite carefully applied. Small-shop
instruments often bear a recognized trade name or the label of the supervising
master. Domestic small shop instruments that immediately come to mind are
Gibson, Weber, and Collings. In imports, only Eastman and Draleon seem to
follow a typical small-shop model rather than a production-line factory model,
although the new Kentucky plant remains a mystery.
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Individually Made Instruments: Luthier-built mandolins present a bit of a
paradox today. Some makers still use hand tools and traditional methods.
Others use extensive machining. The key is that the instruments represent the
vision and work of one individual working from his training and concepts. Only
limited quantities end up on the market. Individually made mandolinss may have
significant value because of the maker, rather than merely because of
playability and sound. Master instruments may gain great value with age.
Prices reflect the maker, the physical condition of the instrument, and possibly
its history. The actual tone doesn't seem to play a role in price for individually
made instruments from some makers.
Proceed to Part 3:| Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 |
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