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Posts: 430
Location: Lebanon, TN | So the MC868 has been on my mind (given my Celtic roots background and one running on Ebay currently). As I understand it the MC868 has a standard Super-Shallow bowl and regular quality spruce top with a custom neck to accomodate the 4 courses of strings and a narrower nut 1-1/8".
If the neck is the only thing specific to the MC868, could you request a custom build with mid depth bowl, different top (maybe even CVT) and different pre-amp otpions? Could you even opt for the Hi-output 4 course pickup/saddle that is on the MMM68 rather than the Thinline that is in the Mandocello?
And while I am at it, aside from the beautiful "book" examples of MM68's that I have seen, are there any custom mandolins that have ever been put out. Leading to same question about what you could custom order?
If the informed body could advise I'd be very grateful. The idea of a matching pair of MM68 and MC868 custom orders is bubbling in my head. |
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Posts: 1792
Location: Rego Park, NY, | Call Alpep. |
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Posts: 430
Location: Lebanon, TN | Oh Al, knows he will get this business if it comes to be :D . I am more interested in the wider opinions of the body of experience. |
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Posts: 10581
Location: NJ | Stu
As we have talked about. They can build anything. it just depends on the mood and conditions in the factory on if they are interested in taking on the task. |
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August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | It would be expensive but how about a match pair of Adamas?
Anyone have the picture of the Adamas mando that one of our members has? Believe there was an Adamas Mandocello... |
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January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | The AMAMAS MANDOCELLO was that the NE Gathering yesterday. I forgot to play it (too many other choices). But man it looked nice. Picture a regular blue textured top Adamas, but with a MC neck. SCHWEET.
Dave |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | An Adamas Mandocello....man that is scary!
The regular MC is a tone monster. I can't imagine what an Adamas version would sound like. |
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Posts: 10581
Location: NJ | stu
go to jazzmandol.com
you will see a pic of one of 2 adamas custom mandolins.
so it can be done. there was also the one owned by cwk.
which is pictured in the group shot of guitars.
btw the jazzmando guy is a member here and a very nice person and resource he owns stores somewhere out in the midwest. |
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May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I tried the mandocello over the weekend and it's awesome.
Let's see ... what can I say ...
Let me say that this review only pertains to my exprerience with it, others may have different opinions;
Unlike a mando, or my small "a" tuned guitar, due to the thickness of the mandocello's strings, you are more committed to the note you're plucking.
Also, it's not really a strumming instrument, it's more of a very authoratiative lead instrument. So if you are doing strums, you keep it very simple.
That said, it was overthetop good. It won't disappoint you. |
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August 2003
Posts: 430
Location: Lebanon, TN | Cool Rick, yes I think I know what I'll be getting into with the Mandocello in terms of playing style required.
I just have a hunch that a CVT carbon top and deeper (contour?) bowl could be trully awesome for the tone required for true accoustic work with the 4 course mando Hi-output pickup matched to an OP-Pro. The standard spec has it with a thinline, but I noticed that CWK2's version at the NE gathering had the Hi-Output so looks like that is possible.
I love the tonal definition of my W597 compared to my ADII. There is a very clear percussiveness to my ear that makes me love it so for picked single note runs especially in the bass string range. |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | The mandochellow has a regular guitar neck 1 11/16. Just a dot at the 10th rather than the 9th. With only 4 sets of strings ot is wide enough. The Adamas MandoC is the 10,000th adamas made and yes it's awesome. |
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June 2003
Posts: 35
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska | Greetings, all.
I haven't had much luck evaluating the price of my barely used MM868 Mandocello. I've certainly enjoyed it the few times I've been able pick it up out of my insanely large herd. I believe an instrument that isn't played on a regualar basis deserves to find a home where it can be part of a "heard."
That said, I don't want to go backwards on this thing. New, these things are/were ridiculously expensive ($2K list when I bought it). If I did put it up for sale, would $900 be unreasonable for something in virtually new shape?
Picture here . |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Be still, my heart . . . . |
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December 2004
Posts: 1673
Location: SoCal | Here you go cliff, does this help?
Hi Ted, $900 for a mint mCello is reasonable and in my opinion a steal for anyone looking for one. I paid more for mine and Stephen paid more for his. Which preamp is in your mCello? |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | no . . . |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | $900 is a very nice price for a mint mando.
They are fun instruments. I love the Celtic drone I can get from mine but I have been seriously thinking about changing the nut and going with a bouzouki sound. |
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August 2003
Posts: 430
Location: Lebanon, TN | I just got mine (MC868-4 standard with Optima) at the Philly/Reading guitar Fair and knocked the guy down from $1,200 to $900 plus S&H. So I think you are right in the ballpark Ted. With your background and pedigree I'd much rather have done the deal with you, but that's Karma :-).
Now you make sure and be sure to let me know when you want to be rid of the "horrible" custom Adamas mando ;-) Can't imagine how on earth you ever live with that. Or maybe you need to ask for an updated one and donate that one to a deserving soul who will take it off your hands...like me :-) |
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June 2003
Posts: 35
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska | I made the mistake of digging the M'cello out to check the Preamp (OP-24Plus C with Chromatic Tuner, by the way), and made the mistake of getting sentimental over this critter. The belly-warming rumble of the low C double course is magnificent; strumming a chord on this is downright haunting and hypnotic. It even has the XLR out, which sounds like a million bucks through a PA system.
Still, all that said, it's more novelty for me than utilitarian, and after I get her dusted off, I'm likely to put it up for sale. I've got quite a few other mandos and am really trying to focus in on the mandola and mandolin, some of them are single-course 4-strings, which takes a little different technique than the 8-string. The finger span on the M'cello is better suited to a guitar player, and I just don't have the time to finesse it.
I've toyed with the idea of letting go of my carbon top custom Adamas mando, but two things keep that from happening. One, I've got a lot of money in it with the inlay and all, and Two, I had my daughter's name put on the label when it was made.
I don't know; I guess everyone has a price... |
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August 2003
Posts: 430
Location: Lebanon, TN | Then don't ever sell it. Keep it for her. :-) I was teasing as much as sewrious.
I have chatted with Al Pep and a few others, as you can see above, about getting a matching set of Cobalt blue CVT Mando, MC-868, Baritone, and W598 to go with my W5-97 that I love. I suspect I might just do that. The other one that I will keep my eye open for is the Book Mando. I thought they did a really nice job on that look and hope it sounds just as nice.
Wish I had a fraction of your mando talent and good luck with passing on the MC. If your ever over on the east coast let me know |
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June 2003
Posts: 35
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska | Thanks for the kind words, Stuart. Woof! A Cobalt Blue set...
In case anyone is interested, I did post just this over at the Mandolin Cafe |
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Mandocello custom???
