John Reischman's Mandolin
Many have heard the incredible playing of mandolin tonemeister John Reischman, but not all are aware of the story of how he accumulated his legendary Read more»
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"Good improvisation communicates harmonic progression melodically. Effective melodies manipulate harmonic content through the use of guide tones and preparatory gravity notes, masterfully woven in systematic tension, release, and transparent harmonic definition."
February 2, 2012 | Available: Mann SEM-5 solid body single cutaway
We like to check in on the "In-stock" instruments over at premium electric mandolin builder Jonathon Mann's website. Once in a while a real bargain pops up like this 5-string beauty for only $1650, with case:
SEM-5 solid body single cutaway. Curly maple top with vintage amber finish, curly walnut back, gold hardware, 14.7" scale, rosewood fretboard, Dimarzio Pro track and Tone zone S pickups. G&G vintage style hard case.
The Tennessee craftsman has really come of his own in a few short years, developing an international reputation with his innovative designs. With its signature neck-though body and modernized LP silhouette, this would be a good one to snag!
If you have a spare few minutes, check out his YouTube demos. If you're new to the world of electric mandolins, he does a terrific job of surveying the electronics of his line.
January 31, 2012 | New Guitarra Baiana model--Signature Marcos Moletta
We've been following Brazilian musician Marcos Moletta for several years, paying special attention to his assortment of amazing electric mandolins, from his white Flying V to his recent Caico built acquisition, a lovely lemon yellow electric 5-string. According to the virtuoso instrumentalist, "This is great for me, one more color on my palette ... is a timbre pulled to mids, and the 3 key positions actually offers 3 timbres, being the middle position, humbucker style and ends with its single coil."
Watch as he demonstrates with his usual finesse, the finer features of this amazing new toy in this impromptu video:
Many have heard the incredible playing of mandolin tonemeister John Reischman, but not all are aware of the story of how he accumulated his legendary Lloyd Loar instrument. This great video from Fretboard Journal gives us great insight into the history and as a bonus, some tips in the middle (4:42) on how adjusting the angle of the pick can draw better tone out of the string. A tremendous trick for rounding your own sound.
We had the chance to talk with John personally in 2004 chauffeuring him from the airport to Mandofest in Lawrence, Kansas. He's a great combination of approachable, warm, and supremely disciplined. You can hear it in his playing.
"In the world of mandolins, Lloyd Loar-signed Gibson F-5s from the early 1920s are considered the cream-of-the-crop. They've been the instrument of choice for legendary virtuosos like Bill Monroe and David Grisman and they often sell for around a quarter of a million dollars. Among the 200 or so Loars known to exist, Vancouver, British Columbia's John Reischman has arguably one of the very best."
January 27, 2012 | Music geekdom. Tonal functions go clubbing.
We enjoy the wit and artistry of band directors, Ed and Thom at Dudley Middle and Dudley High School and how they deal with the band program in the online feature "Tone Deaf Comics." We've tried to express the notion of major scale "functions" in previous articles, but never in a way this unconventional.
Clubbing...
Click image for close-up
Visit their Facebook page, or check out the website for more cerebral niche humor:
It's been nearly three years since we reported a manufacturing issue that now seems to be sufficiently corrected with D string loops on the JazzMando JM11 sets. What was happening was some of these were wound too tightly on the loop, yield a circumference too small to fit on standard tailpiece tangs. In a few instances, this has affected the string's core, making it impossible to intonate correctly up the fretboard.
We were able to provide replacements for those that had D string problems, and other than a few left over from the old batch, we've not had concerns since. We did change the packaging last year, but that didn't change the string at all. They still have the same smooth comfort and playability that have made them a perpetual best selling flatwound string for the last seven years.
Creative environments have certainly changed over the years. Many reach their muse picking on the front porch, but others have taken a more high tech approach with desktop computer recording (let alone iPhone and iPad) capabilities. Laying down tracks or simply looking for a premium aural environment for the electric player you can use headphones, but some prefer the physical space of a small room to interact with the sound, not a huge amp, but a cubical of quality and a reasonable amount of crystalline monitoring. The new Yamaha THR series THR10 and THR5 just introduced at Winter NAMM is a great solution.
We saw these demonstrated at the Yamaha booth, and if there was one "Gotta Have" toy we couldn't live without at this year's Winter NAMM show, it's this one. Metal exterior with an almost vintage aesthetic, the 6 pounds (2.8 kg) of clear 10 watt stereo power is just enough to give the ambient experience needed in an intimate space. It includes 5 common amp models with 8 popular effects and tuner, and can either be powered by battery (for ultimate portability) or AC adapter, AND a quality 1/8" audio input for your MP3 player or iPod. If that weren't enough, you can use the mini USB cabling to hook into your personal computer with Cubase AI (included). We asked about iPhone/iPad apps, and though none are available right now, it's not unlikely Yamaha or a 3rd party will be out with that soon.
This amp is very much the start of a category unto its own. Not a stage amp, not a monitor, it's a third category, like the iPad was a whole new "lifestyle" computing philosophy. You sit with your iPad on your living room couch or plane ride and do things with it you wouldn't with your desktop or your laptop. The THR10 is similar in that you could leave this out as permanent "furniture" in your practice workspace, an aesthetic that fits both recreational and formal living environment, with a complete functionality unlike any other device.
The THR10 will street price around $299, with its smaller sister THR5 (5 watts, less EQ controls) at around $199.
THR10 packs in everything you need from an off-stage amp. Real tube amp tone and dynamics, great sound at low volume, genuine hi-fi quality stereo playback and full recording capabilities. Prepare to spend a lot more time playing.
January 21, 2012 | December/January Mandolin Sessions: Minor Mysteries
The Major Scale is completely intuitive to the Western ear. It's when you get to the Minor modes one is easily tripped up by those awkward theory "rules." Lower the 3rd yes, but rais the 7th? Raise the 6th on the way up but not on the way down? What to do with that gangly augmented 2nd between the 6th and 7th scale degree?
We always propose going back to the aural and contextual roots of music theory and the Minor Scale is no exception. In the recent Mandolin Sessions entry, we go over some of these barriers and make them practical.
Don't know if it's excitement from the show or just a 24 hours caffeine buzz, but we're restless and anxious to fill our live photo album stream over at the JazzMando Facebook Page. Even walking around the Disney California Adventure the day before didn't wear us down any, plenty of energy for the next four days of walking five football fields of new gear. We're not even going to let the fact that an amusement park can still charge you a full $80 for a set of attractions that are half closed for the season get us down.
Some of the pre-press announcements are intriguing. New DigitechiStomp single stompbox processor for the iPhone, new Boss TU-10 Clip-on tuner from Roland, a new line of high-end stage cables from Planet Waves, and introductory play along Jazz Series from Hal Leonard, these are just a few things that will have us on the hunt for the latest and greatest from the industry.
"Like" our JazzMando Facebook Page or just visit the 2012 NAMM album. We'll be filling it up with new pictures for the next four days. Hopefully some wood and steel, too.
January 17, 2012 | Mr. P.C.'s Guide to Jazz Etiquette; January 2012
Last fall we mentioned the Seattle musician and "All About Jazz" writer Bill Anschell and his offbeat humor (no pun intended) wih his hilarious take on the club jazz scene. His January 2012 installment does not disappoint, and demonstrates it's not just the Bluegrass Police that imposes its own tyrannical rules. Enjoy his response to 'G' is Good.
Dear Mr. P.C.:
I'll be playing "Mr. Magic," or "Just the Two of Us," and a musician will say to me "I'm calling the Jazz Police." Who are the Jazz Police?
"G" Is Good!
Dear GIG:
You've forced me to confess: I hate policemen/policewomen! Why? Not just because they're pepper-spraying authority figures enforcing a repressive, fascist system that calls itself democracy. They're also propagandists of the worst sort, leveraging laws to distort well-intentioned actions by a peaceful citizenry.
Say in the name of protecting the planet, you engage in a few minor acts of eco-terrorism. Maybe you free some lions from the zoo to protest their enslavement, or poison a few heads of lettuce to bring attention to exploitative immigrant labor conditions. And what do the cops do? Arrest you on trumped up charges of endangering the public--as if they understand your actions and motives better than you do!
Well, the Jazz Police are no different! Somehow, they've decided it's their station in life to define and enforce the laws of good taste, but of course they can only do it by wildly exaggerating the so-called "danger" created by your music.
So the propaganda begins: That incessant backbeat you love is cast as intolerably heavy-handed and mind-numbing. The endlessly repeating two-chord harmonies that give you comfort are somehow labeled juvenile and insufferable. Those simple nursery rhyme melodies you enjoy are called saccharine, mindless, even nauseating. And don't get them started on that cloying soprano sax tone favored by your "G" man! It's as if they want you to think he's superficial, vapid, and utterly without substance.
The worst thing is, the Jazz Police are so thoroughly entrenched in the power structure that it's really hard for oppressed Smooth citizens like you to fight back. Here's my suggestion: Mount a massive PR campaign! Start with places where you have a captive audience, and flood them with the sedating sounds of your music. Off the top of my head, I'd say airports, elevators, and upscale restaurants would be the perfect place to start, unlikely as they may seem.
Play your cards right, GIG, and the music you love could become the anesthetizing anthem of a revolution!
We're packing the bags for this week's 2012 Winter NAMM show in sunny Anaheim, California, looking forward to 5 football fields full of musical gear: guitars, PA, keyboards, lighting, band and orchestral instruments, folk acoustic, and a plethora of new print materials and accessories, along with hooking up with some old industry friends. Like we've done the past decade, we'll continue to post live pictures of interesting and drool-worthy mandolin relevant products on our Facebook Page and over at the Mandolin Cafe discussion board.
Since the crew will be away from the office, we'll be temporarily shutting down the JazzMando Merchandise Center this week. We resume shipping of strings, cloths, picks, and books on Tuesday, January 24. If you can get your order in before midnight tonight, we'll be sure to get your order processed before we leave.
Order today!!
"Like" our JazzMando Facebook Page and keep up with the stream of NAMM pictures starting Thursday, January 19th.
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February 2, 2012 | Available: Mann SEM-5 solid body single cutaway
It's been nearly three years since we reported a manufacturing issue that now seems to be sufficiently corrected with D string loops on the 
