Post by Martin on Oct 6, 2013 10:13:08 GMT
I'm really sorry it's taken me so long to comment in this thread - my excuse was that I wanted to wait until I had the mandolin in my own hands before watching and listening to it being played, but it seems I've missed a huge amount of wonderful material in the process, and have stayed 'out of the loop' as a result. Probably a mistake, but now I've had the mando for a week I can relax and enjoy the road trip threads.
Calum's Road is a really nice tune, and one I plan to record for the RT too. Your version is great, being very up beat, and with clean, clear playing. The mandolin sounds very sweet.
Elenor's is a super tune, and I really enjoyed listening to the blend of instruments you've incorporated here
Dill Pickle Rag is a jolly little piece
You've got great timing on this one as it jumps around happily 
and the mando sounds crystal clear yet again, but with nice warmth.
How much did you pay for a personal luthier visit? That's quality service!
Dave if you want to pop up to Hamilton to give the mando a 'quick fettle', I'll throw you a fiver towards your air fare
Hambo is interesting...just when I think I have the tune figured, it leaps off in an entirely different direction
Still, can't fault the playing or the sound of CBT, which again demonstrates its sweetness. Your prolificacy is very impressive as I'm still only on page one of your thread!
Chinese Waltz? This really IS a world tour of mandolin music!! Scotland, England, USA, Sweden, China.... 
I must say though, you've somehow imbued the mandolin with a completely different character and sound here - not sure if it's the notes, the setting, the technique or a combination of all three, but wow....just wow!!
Killing Two Birds with One Tune (as you've humbly subtitled it) is just sublime, Keith. Two gorgeous tunes, masterfully arranged into a beautiful solo mandolin piece. I love the way you combine the melody with the chords, the timing is again perfect and the playing is especially crisp and sweet. The notes sound better here than ever before.
The Hornpipe Set is back to more how I expect a mandolin should be played but it is just as impressive. Excellent relaxed playing, restrained use of tremolo and once again superb tone!
As a simple comparison piece, Balquhidder Lasses is surprisingly excellent too, Keith. I really liked trying to listen for differences between the CBT and Fylde mandos, and happily I was able to discern them almost straight away. Both sound fabulous here it has to be said, but if I was trying to describe the two sounds against one another, I would say that CBT sounds a bit brighter and more resonant while the Fylde sounds a bit punchier though mellow. I might be way off, but it is a really useful exercise - one I had planned on doing with my other mandos too, if I get enough time.
Gypsy Lullaby is another pleasant little tune, but I really like the way you segue into the faster hornpipe and reel - such an enjoyable set of tunes and showing excellent technique. I'm really marvelling at the tone you're able to produce - it's just so full and sweet.
Travel Safely, Sing Sweetly is stunning, Keith. It seems to me to capture the essence of a medieval lute tune (again I'm only basing this on what my failing brain suggests!). The mandolin again seems to take on a different character determined by the style of play, which can only be a good thing. I've wondered about playing solo mandolin but you don't see or hear very much of it. A couple of these pieces you've done demonstrate how effective it can be.
I thought the steam train noises were pretty cool too
I see you've even uploaded a huge array of pics to the gallery section! Bravo
A more thorough review/playtest for an instrument is just not possible. I'll be a lot more crass, sticking my collection of piccies in my own RT thread, but kudos to you for the way you've summarised this cracking little instrument.
Just when it seemes you'd rounded everything off nicely, you go and throw Tanya's into the mix!
An excellent use of all those lovely photos, and a nice, bright, jangly tune to end on a happy note
I enjoyed the review too - very detailed with probably more information than a hack like me knows what to do with, but it carried the overall positive impression of the mandolin very well and reflected it's character that was evident in the recordings posted.
great work Keith (and by extension, Dave) and I look forward to starting my own thread when I get down to some serious playing.
Just one question - did the mandolin make its way to Paul (scorpiodog)? It's just that I think I'm supposed to send it on to Paul in a week or two, but now I'm doubting myself
Calum's Road is a really nice tune, and one I plan to record for the RT too. Your version is great, being very up beat, and with clean, clear playing. The mandolin sounds very sweet.
Elenor's is a super tune, and I really enjoyed listening to the blend of instruments you've incorporated here
Dill Pickle Rag is a jolly little piece
You've got great timing on this one as it jumps around happily 
and the mando sounds crystal clear yet again, but with nice warmth.How much did you pay for a personal luthier visit? That's quality service!
Dave if you want to pop up to Hamilton to give the mando a 'quick fettle', I'll throw you a fiver towards your air fare
Hambo is interesting...just when I think I have the tune figured, it leaps off in an entirely different direction
Still, can't fault the playing or the sound of CBT, which again demonstrates its sweetness. Your prolificacy is very impressive as I'm still only on page one of your thread!
Chinese Waltz? This really IS a world tour of mandolin music!! Scotland, England, USA, Sweden, China....
I must say though, you've somehow imbued the mandolin with a completely different character and sound here - not sure if it's the notes, the setting, the technique or a combination of all three, but wow....just wow!!
Killing Two Birds with One Tune (as you've humbly subtitled it) is just sublime, Keith. Two gorgeous tunes, masterfully arranged into a beautiful solo mandolin piece. I love the way you combine the melody with the chords, the timing is again perfect and the playing is especially crisp and sweet. The notes sound better here than ever before.
The Hornpipe Set is back to more how I expect a mandolin should be played
but it is just as impressive. Excellent relaxed playing, restrained use of tremolo and once again superb tone!As a simple comparison piece, Balquhidder Lasses is surprisingly excellent too, Keith. I really liked trying to listen for differences between the CBT and Fylde mandos, and happily I was able to discern them almost straight away. Both sound fabulous here it has to be said, but if I was trying to describe the two sounds against one another, I would say that CBT sounds a bit brighter and more resonant while the Fylde sounds a bit punchier though mellow. I might be way off, but it is a really useful exercise - one I had planned on doing with my other mandos too, if I get enough time.
Gypsy Lullaby is another pleasant little tune, but I really like the way you segue into the faster hornpipe and reel - such an enjoyable set of tunes and showing excellent technique. I'm really marvelling at the tone you're able to produce - it's just so full and sweet.
Travel Safely, Sing Sweetly is stunning, Keith. It seems to me to capture the essence of a medieval lute tune (again I'm only basing this on what my failing brain suggests!). The mandolin again seems to take on a different character determined by the style of play, which can only be a good thing. I've wondered about playing solo mandolin but you don't see or hear very much of it. A couple of these pieces you've done demonstrate how effective it can be.
I thought the steam train noises were pretty cool too
I see you've even uploaded a huge array of pics to the gallery section! Bravo
A more thorough review/playtest for an instrument is just not possible. I'll be a lot more crass, sticking my collection of piccies in my own RT thread, but kudos to you for the way you've summarised this cracking little instrument.
Just when it seemes you'd rounded everything off nicely, you go and throw Tanya's into the mix!
An excellent use of all those lovely photos, and a nice, bright, jangly tune to end on a happy note
I enjoyed the review too - very detailed with probably more information than a hack like me knows what to do with, but it carried the overall positive impression of the mandolin very well and reflected it's character that was evident in the recordings posted.
great work Keith (and by extension, Dave) and I look forward to starting my own thread when I get down to some serious playing.
Just one question - did the mandolin make its way to Paul (scorpiodog)? It's just that I think I'm supposed to send it on to Paul in a week or two, but now I'm doubting myself
