Wanna see something cool? We review fraternal twins from the workshop/womb of New Mexico builder Orien MacDonald of Model-O Mandolins. This is fun stuff, some innovative wackiness but you'd expect that from a creative cellist with a sideline in (archery) bow-making and blacksmithing. With all due apologies to Shakespeare, guess you could say we consider hooking up with this master as a "sling and arrow of outrageous fortune."

Read review:
Model-O Mandolins

Check out thoughts on other premier mandolin builders. Spotlight:
Builders for the 21st Century

Posted by Ted at 07:23 PM

October 29, 2007 | Eva Holbrook in Omaha

JazzMando Staff Road Trip--we had the privilege of seeing Rocky Mountain mandolin child prodigy Eva Holbrook (though at 18, hardly a child anymore) in concert with family band, SHEL in Omaha, Nebraska this weekend. A Recent mention in the latest issue of Mandolin Magazine as premier Schwab electric mandolin wielder, she and her three amazingly talented sisters Sarah, Hannah, and Liza, along with father Andrew dazzled a captivated audience.

Strapping on her signature sea foam green Telemando, Eva's acoustic wizardry with her custom Weber A-body mandolin was equally impressive. A triple-play powerhouse of skill she sings AND writes as well as she plays. What's especially daunting is the depth of talent in the rest of the family; each of her sisters executes their parts with proficiency well beyond their years.

SHEL has a new recording coming out in December. Visit website: SHEL

Read review of Eva's solo album: The Very Last Dream

Eva and JM staff assistant

Eva and sister Sarah

SHEL

Posted by Ted at 04:25 AM

October 27, 2007 | Clark Two-point in the oven

Work in progress from Boise, Idaho builder Austin Clark who is about three weeks away from the final stages of a gorgeous two-point Clark mandolin. A sneak peak from the builder and some notes, "It is oil varnish with french polish top coat. These were taken mid french polish and have not yet been rubbed out. It will have Waverly machines, mop nut, top and side bound tortoise, James TP, compound radius fretboard, one-piece Engelmann top with Bigleaf back and an abbreviated, tortoise bound pickguard. Oh yeah, it also has a flush tr cover, which is new for me."

We look forward to first crack at this beauty with a full-scale review. Just in time for Thanksgiving!

Meantime visit website: Clark Mandolins

Click above for close-up

Posted by Ted at 06:19 AM

October 25, 2007 | Buying JM11

Our JM11 flatwound strings grow increasingly popular and we're in the process of opening more distribution channels. Advertised in Mandolin Magazine and on the website, mandolinists continue to be pleased by their smooth feel and warm tone. Though we'd never discourage you from purchasing from the JazzMando Merchandise Center, a new online source is the Dietze Music Ebay Store:

JM11 Strings

If you are interested in being a distributor too, contact us for wholesale pricing and minimum requirements at the JazzMando Merchandise Center.

Join the JM11 friends on our MySpace page.

Posted by Ted at 09:30 AM

October 22, 2007 | Acoustic Amp Reviews

We introduce a new feature, acoustic amp reviews, starting with a tiny but versatile 30 watt box from a company you'll want to pay attention to. Ultrasound Amplifiers, midst the recently harvested cornfields of West Des Moines, Iowa, is one of the industries secret treasures, although it is developing an increasing niche stronghold in jazz circles, Contemporary Christian artists and hobbyists, as well as discriminating Nashville professionals.

The AG-30 is our introduction into what we hope to be more models of amplification relevant to what you do. Keep in mind, there is a different tool for every job; we discuss the practical differences you'll want to consider when exploring the unique needs of acoustic instruments in our Tips and Tricks article, What to look for in an acoustic amplifier.

Read review: Ultrasound AG-30

Our Spotlight menu includes reviews on recent CDs, method books, and amplifiers. Check it out!
New Release Artist Recordings, Books, and (now) Amps.

Posted by Ted at 06:04 AM

October 20, 2007 | Reunion Blues Unveils Prestige Leather Mandolin Bags

Known as the ultimate musical instrument gig bag, Reunion Blues is expanding their prestige leather line to cover the needs of mandolin players. Two new black leather mandolin bags, one for the A body and the second for the popular F model, feature form-fit sizing and sidewall construction for superior protection.

Both styles incorporate the unique Reunion Blues double foam system, which provides snug cushioning next to the instrument surrounded by firmer foam on the outside for strength and impact resistance. The luxurious interior lining is extremely low in sulfuric compounds to prevent tarnishing of metal parts. Strong double zipper pulls and double strap rivets are made with heavy-duty black chrome hardware for a lifetime of dependable service. The A style #410-1529 and F style #411-1529 both retail at $349.00. (Street Pricing estimated to be in the upper mid $200 range.)

With over 140 models to choose from, elegant design and rugged construction have made Reunion Blues the favorite gig bag for serious instrumentalists around the world.

Website: www.reunionblues.com
USA Phone: 800-950-1095

Posted by Ted at 06:02 AM

October 18, 2007 | Gypsy's Mandolins stoops to new lows... (an octave!)

Just out from Gypsy's Music, the Gypsy's Octave Mandolin. The new OMs follow their established design philosophy of Gypsy's mandolins and mandolas introduced earlier this year at the Winter 2006 NAMM show, an attention to volume, tone and playability. This series of instruments is similarly compact (20" scale, 11-3/4" body at the widest), yet maintain the tone and volume required for live unplugged acoustic enviorments.

The instruments include the company's signature overlay, Grover tuners, mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard, adjustable ebony bridge w/ bone saddle, and exclusive tailpiece. Pricing ranges from $720 to 1250, depending on tonewood composition and design level of bindings.

View Gypsy Octave

Visit website: Gypsy's Music

Posted by Ted at 02:03 PM

October 16, 2007 | Orchestra Luigi Cremona

Thanks to friend and classical mandolin extraordinaire, Neil Gladd for pointing this one out to us. MySpace find is from Agazzano, Italy, the Orchestra Luigi Cremona. The 20 piece mandolin orchestra is named after a great lover of music and has been featured in more than 200 concerts, including some prominent international festivals and exhibitions.

The traditional instrumentation includes mandolin, mandola, mandocello, but additionally featured are drums, vibes, bass, electric guitar, strings, accordion and voice. Samples of their eclectic blend of music can be heard on their MySpace page:

Orchestra Luigi Cremona

Posted by Ted at 05:52 AM

October 14, 2007 | Loar history lesson

Fascinating YouTube video by world class instrumentalist, Tim May and Gibson expert Dave Harvey explaining some of the history in Lloyd Loar mandolin development, arguably the most important model (if not currently the most imitated, sought after collectable, and expensive) in mandolin history. The two expert musicians demo classic examples of F2 and F5 instruments at the end of the discussion with a rendition of "Angeline the Baker."

An informative and entertaining 10 minutes to start your day: Vintage Gibson 7: Angeline the Baker

Posted by Ted at 06:52 AM

October 11, 2007 | PMO and tradition

The Pittsburgh Mandolin Orchestra is back in the news again with a terrific article about the great tradition of musical involvement hailing from mandolin communities of just a few decades back. Site Author Ted Eschliman's 101 year-old Grandmother talks fondly of the prominence of mandolin clubs of her college days.

In the current era of "self-contained" music of iPods and internet download it's great to see community centered music still thrive. The PMO boasts of ages from 12 to 88 in its 40 member group.

Enjoy Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article: Plucky Pittsburgh Mandolin Orchestra keeps folk tradition alive.

Posted by Ted at 11:22 PM

October 09, 2007 | Back to Back

Sure it's been three years now since the October 2004 re-release of "Back to Back," the duo recording of the greats of swing mandolin, Tiny Moore and Jethro Burns. Stumbling upon a review in an old AllAboutJazz.com archive, we were reminded how unfathomably great this recording is. Produced by David Grisman in 1979, the two are accompanied in this timeless treasure by Eldon Shamblin (Rhythm Guitar), Ray Brown (Bass), and Shelly Manne (Drums), certainly legends in their own right.

Back in the days before overproduced "punch ins," do-overs, and dubs, great musicians like these came in and cut whole albums in a single session. Knowing this just makes this two-CD package all the more special. If you don't have it, make it a part of your permanent library and personal audio study laboratory.

Read All About Jazz review.

Purchase CD: Back to Back

More Recommended Listening.

Posted by Ted at 07:41 PM

October 07, 2007 | Planet Waves Tru-Strobe Tuner

For the strobe tuner fan, Planet Waves (D'addario) introduces the new Tru-strobe Tuner. We've had the fortune of using a prototype since the July NAMM show and are really hooked. Street priced in the $125 range, these offer a true strobe function (not simulated), the only one available for under $200. We like the clip-on Seiko STX-1 for live playing, but this is the cat's pajamas for studio or practice.

About the size of a baseball, the tuner's input is a 1/4" jack for electric (no mic), but any acoustic instrument can use a $10 Matrix MPU1 pick-up clipped to the headstock. Those who grew up playing with their high school band director's StroboConn tuner recall the accuracy and immediate feedback strobe tuning offers the player and luthier.

These are expected to be available for sale later this quarter.

View details and see demo: Tru-strobe Tuner PW-CT-07

Posted by Ted at 08:34 PM

October 05, 2007 | CMSA Sarasota, FL

This in from our friends from the Classical Mandolin Society, particularly, David Betts the CMSA webmaster: "The leaves are beginning to turn red and yellow which can only mean one thing: it's CMSA Convention time!

"For those of you who have never been to a Classical Mandolin Society Convention let me say, it's about as much fun as you can have with your clothes on! This year's Convention is in Sarasota, Florida, October 24-28 and hosted by the Sarasota Mandolin Orchestra. Guest artists this year include premier Italian mandolinist Carlo Aonzo (you've probably heard him on the David Grisman/Carlo Aonzo "Traversata" CD) and Evan Marshall (if you've never seen Evan's amazing duo-style technique, it's worth the price of admission by itself!)

"There'll be the usual jamming 'till dawn and communing with an mando-mad crowd for days on end!"

Website: CMSA

Sarasota has got to be a beautiful place to be the end of October. Sounds like a gathering for any serious mandolinist not to miss.

Posted by Ted at 05:42 AM

October 02, 2007 | Mandolin Sessions: Alternate Fingerings

The October Mandolin Sessions edition is out from Mel Bay, and our Jazz Mandology topic is a familiar one. We dissect the first half of Clifford Brown classic "Joy Spring" to look at new ways of fingering a popular tune, once again tackling the issue of the glorious "portability" of mandolin fingering. That wonderful symmetry of strings tuned in fifths gives us great opportunity to not only move up and down fretboard positions, but to use alternate fingerings instantly within the same positions.

Next issue, we'll use the tune to demonstrate the use of all four FFcP positions and Pentatonic scales to improvise. Until then, check out the Jazz Mandology and other great writers in this free online educational service from Mel Bay, the world's premier fretted string pedagogy resource:

Read article: Alternate Fingerings Part 1: New ways to get around the fretboard

Back issues of MandolinSessions Jazz Mandology

Posted by Ted at 05:55 AM