To my ears Steffey's modern tone has more bass but without any dampening of the treble. I think that's why it sounds a bit rounder rather than just darker.
There are so many factors that effect the sound of any instrument. The age and type of wood it’s made of along with the build quality. The humidity level at the time it’s being played. Of course the strings, picks and the set up play a huge part. And of course technique of the player.
@@waynesworldofmandolin3616 yea ring the ears out lol.. it's a gibson copy mandolin made bya fellow names Doug Odell. Doug used to make mandolins and guitars branded '"Old Towne"
Thanks Wayne. I like both tones. Early this year I upgraded my mandolin again for the 4th time since I started about 3 years ago. I ended up buying engleman top over red spruce. I have been happy with the more round sound. Especially just sitting around picking on my own and not in a band situation as of now. EE
For bluegrass, I love the F5 sound that bites through... for other quieter stuff, I like the Lyon and Healy, Martin, or early Gibson snakehead, oval hole sound. Of course, strings and technique have a whole lot to do with sound in my opinion.
I always associated traditional tone with Monroe style, and modern sound with Steffey. I hadn’t really considered the instrument itself as the defining sound. I own one of each of the trad vs. modern sounds with a Duff, and an Ellis.
Cool! That's two excellent mandolins for these two sounds. Part 2 of this series will feature two of my mandos that represent these different tones. Stay tuned.....
Great lessons always. I see one person just upgraded. I just downgraded. I have an Eastman A style - mid price - and I really like it. It has a nice woody round tone. But I couldn’t resist the Kentucky KM-120 Army/Navy (pancake) style for just over $200. Just arrived 2 days before Christmas (Heid Music) It is much brighter and I’m really enjoying it as a change.
Thanks Wayne. This was really super informative. Also, just wondering what the intro/background music is. I'm assuming it is one of your compositions. If a may ask, what is it? It's beautiful.
Thx Robert! That intro/outro music is just me goofin off on a Roland 2480. I'm on a short list of people who still record on those units. The tune has no title. What would you call it?
Yep. The short neck mandolins sure do have a "bassier" or less present tonal quality. I have a 1940 F-4 that's a blast to play solo or in a guitar/mandolin duo but it gets lost standing in a circle with a full bluegrass band......
It’s weird. I definitely associate a more pointed sound with traditional bluegrass but I also associate a rounder, warmer sound with older instruments. My dream tone is Dempsey Young’s tone with his Hutto. Sounds like dark chocolate.
Really enjoyed the video Wayne!! You couldn’t have picked two better players to illustrate the modern and the traditional sounds. Personally I prefer ( and struggle to get) the modern sound. The Steffey intro to “Every Time You Say Goodbye” is mandolin playing at its finest. Looking forward to you demonstrating the difference on various mandolins. What techniques do you use to get a more modern or traditional sound? Or is it just based on which mandolin you’re playing?
I've built both X and tone bar F-5's and there is a more "rounder" sound with the X. Thanks for an interesting topic! Did you just adjust your truss rod ? 😁
To my ears Steffey's modern tone has more bass but without any dampening of the treble. I think that's why it sounds a bit rounder rather than just darker.
Adam Steffey has always been my favorite. On the same album, his break on "cluck old hen" is absolutely phenomenal.
I love that break too!
Thanks Wayne, good topic and demonstrations.
I love both, but personally favor the traditional tone. Thanks for sharing!
There are so many factors that effect the sound of any instrument. The age and type of wood it’s made of along with the build quality. The humidity level at the time it’s being played. Of course the strings, picks and the set up play a huge part. And of course technique of the player.
Very true Jim. I hope to cover most of those topics in this series. Stayed tuned for 3 more parts....
I want to see you play that intro.
There is enough interest in that to justify a video covering it. Stand by....
Yall check out that Ole son pulling tone. Especially near the end. Lol.
Pulling Tone. That has a nice ring to it.....
@@waynesworldofmandolin3616 yea ring the ears out lol.. it's a gibson copy mandolin made bya fellow names Doug Odell. Doug used to make mandolins and guitars branded '"Old Towne"
Thanks Wayne. I like both tones. Early this year I upgraded my mandolin again for the 4th time since I started about 3 years ago. I ended up buying engleman top over red spruce. I have been happy with the more round sound. Especially just sitting around picking on my own and not in a band situation as of now. EE
I like both tones too! 3 more parts on the way in this series...
I really like John Reichman’s tone. So different from everyone else.
Me too Kevin!
For bluegrass, I love the F5 sound that bites through... for other quieter stuff, I like the Lyon and Healy, Martin, or early Gibson snakehead, oval hole sound. Of course, strings and technique have a whole lot to do with sound in my opinion.
That's it! Different mandos for different musical environments.
I always associated traditional tone with Monroe style, and modern sound with Steffey. I hadn’t really considered the instrument itself as the defining sound. I own one of each of the trad vs. modern sounds with a Duff, and an Ellis.
Cool! That's two excellent mandolins for these two sounds. Part 2 of this series will feature two of my mandos that represent these different tones. Stay tuned.....
Great lessons always. I see one person just upgraded. I just downgraded. I have an Eastman A style - mid price - and I really like it. It has a nice woody round tone. But I couldn’t resist the Kentucky KM-120 Army/Navy (pancake) style for just over $200. Just arrived 2 days before Christmas (Heid Music) It is much brighter and I’m really enjoying it as a change.
It's nice to have two mandos that represent each of these sounds. That might be more common than I ever realized.....
Thanks Wayne. This was really super informative. Also, just wondering what the intro/background music is. I'm assuming it is one of your compositions. If a may ask, what is it? It's beautiful.
Thx Robert! That intro/outro music is just me goofin off on a Roland 2480. I'm on a short list of people who still record on those units. The tune has no title. What would you call it?
I would buy that intro music. I was trying to Shazam it.
The modern tone sounds rather pre-F5; reminds me of an A3 or A4, that bassier sound.
Yep. The short neck mandolins sure do have a "bassier" or less present tonal quality. I have a 1940 F-4 that's a blast to play solo or in a guitar/mandolin duo but it gets lost standing in a circle with a full bluegrass band......
It’s weird. I definitely associate a more pointed sound with traditional bluegrass but I also associate a rounder, warmer sound with older instruments. My dream tone is Dempsey Young’s tone with his Hutto. Sounds like dark chocolate.
Yep. He sure had the big round note. I love the Lost and Found.....
Really enjoyed the video Wayne!! You couldn’t have picked two better players to illustrate the modern and the traditional sounds. Personally I prefer ( and struggle to get) the modern sound. The Steffey intro to “Every Time You Say Goodbye” is mandolin playing at its finest. Looking forward to you demonstrating the difference on various mandolins. What techniques do you use to get a more modern or traditional sound? Or is it just based on which mandolin you’re playing?
Thx for the comment Jack. We'll get to all this stuff in future videos on this topic. It's gonna be at least a 4 part playlist......
I've built both X and tone bar F-5's and there is a more "rounder" sound with the X. Thanks for an interesting topic! Did you just adjust your truss rod ? 😁
Yep. The X bracing leans to the modern sound for sure and I did my winter time "low humidity" tweak but haven't put the truss rod cover back on... ..