The only guitar shop in town only sells the Trinity College OM. I see the Johnson MA550 Deluxe goes for a little bit more but I have not had the opportunity to try it.
I've been told that there have been some issues with the quality of the Johnson's - people have been returning them.
Can anyone recommend one over the other? Are they made by the same people?
Also, are there other brands available in the US/Canada in a similar price range?
I've looked into octave mandos and actually the Trinity, Johnson, Fender, and a host of others are all the exact same ax made in the same factory. Only minor cosmetic differences separate them.
The best way to approach them is to go with the brand name that will offer the best warranty in case you get stuck with a lemon.
Incidentally I've seen on eBay a few times some nice Romanian made OMs for very reasonable price sold by a US dealer.
When I bought my Octave I had gone to Elderly's in Lansing and played both the Johnson and the Trinity. I found them comparable in play. The Trinity was a little less at that time so I bought it. I've been very pleased with it. I should say I did change the strings almost immediately.
I'm sure I could have gotten something better, but not at the price paid.
It is a very serviceable instrument considering the price. It both plays well and sounds quite good. It has a very deep mellow tone. Not as quite as nice as say a level II Peterson, but still quite pleasing.
Several things to look out for-- the wood used in the Johnsons seems not so well seasoned... the top under the bridge tends to sink a bit, and I have seen this on my own and another MA550. So far that has not affected playability on my instrument, but at some point it might. The other MA550 became unplayable because of the top sinking.
Also, the neck is warping a bit-- but their is a neck adjustment truss rod, so again, this has not been a problem for me (have had this instrument for about a year).
Make sure your instrument has the full year warrenty! I think they will fix or replace instruments that have these sorts of problems for a year or so.
Also, the machine pegs are only of fair quality, and my MA550 goes out of tune easily. Replacement of the tuners might be worth considering.
I sound like I am complaining, but I'm not... it is really quite a good value for the $550 US I paid for it, and will serve quite well until I step up to something better (at a considerable higher cost).
Thanks for the information.
The Romanian model that is mentioned above - I guess is made by HORA. I've been emailing David Kilpatrick who imports them to his own specification. Has anyone played both the TC and the HORA made ones? Anyone care to compare?
Also, I am looking for a music store in New York City or Vancouver that would have some instruments for me to try out. Any recommendations?
Which Octave Mandolin?
Which Octave Mandolin?
Hi -
The only guitar shop in town only sells the Trinity College OM. I see the Johnson MA550 Deluxe goes for a little bit more but I have not had the opportunity to try it.
I've been told that there have been some issues with the quality of the Johnson's - people have been returning them.
Can anyone recommend one over the other? Are they made by the same people?
Also, are there other brands available in the US/Canada in a similar price range?
thanks in advance,
Sasha
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by heysan
Re: Which Octave Mandolin?
I've looked into octave mandos and actually the Trinity, Johnson, Fender, and a host of others are all the exact same ax made in the same factory. Only minor cosmetic differences separate them.
The best way to approach them is to go with the brand name that will offer the best warranty in case you get stuck with a lemon.
Incidentally I've seen on eBay a few times some nice Romanian made OMs for very reasonable price sold by a US dealer.
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by greybeardd
Re: Which Octave Mandolin?
When I bought my Octave I had gone to Elderly's in Lansing and played both the Johnson and the Trinity. I found them comparable in play. The Trinity was a little less at that time so I bought it. I've been very pleased with it. I should say I did change the strings almost immediately.
I'm sure I could have gotten something better, but not at the price paid.
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by dlkes
Re: Which Octave Mandolin?
Here's a mini-review of the Johnson MA550.
It is a very serviceable instrument considering the price. It both plays well and sounds quite good. It has a very deep mellow tone. Not as quite as nice as say a level II Peterson, but still quite pleasing.
Several things to look out for-- the wood used in the Johnsons seems not so well seasoned... the top under the bridge tends to sink a bit, and I have seen this on my own and another MA550. So far that has not affected playability on my instrument, but at some point it might. The other MA550 became unplayable because of the top sinking.
Also, the neck is warping a bit-- but their is a neck adjustment truss rod, so again, this has not been a problem for me (have had this instrument for about a year).
Make sure your instrument has the full year warrenty! I think they will fix or replace instruments that have these sorts of problems for a year or so.
Also, the machine pegs are only of fair quality, and my MA550 goes out of tune easily. Replacement of the tuners might be worth considering.
I sound like I am complaining, but I'm not... it is really quite a good value for the $550 US I paid for it, and will serve quite well until I step up to something better (at a considerable higher cost).
Sometimes they show up used in the $350 range.
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by hpinson
NYC or Vancouver instrument stores
Thanks for the information.
The Romanian model that is mentioned above - I guess is made by HORA. I've been emailing David Kilpatrick who imports them to his own specification. Has anyone played both the TC and the HORA made ones? Anyone care to compare?
Also, I am looking for a music store in New York City or Vancouver that would have some instruments for me to try out. Any recommendations?
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by heysan