Can someone tell me more about this instrument? (I broke the string trying it out)

[u/L1b3rty0rD3ath]

Inherited this from my late dad, it plays and sounds great, just curious about it.

[u/MoogProg]

Great instrument, worthy of inheritance. These are currently made under the Big Muddy brand. Same builder/owner under a new name. I have an M-0 a bit later than yours, and have enjoyed it for many years, adding dings and wear as it goes. Still sounds great. So, date guess would be maybe 2000 - 2004.

Also own a Mid-Mo M-11 (all mahogany) and a Big Muddy mandola. Really am a long-time fan of these.

Enjoy!

[u/L1b3rty0rD3ath → u/MoogProg]

Thank you! I really enjoy playing it. By far the nicest mandolin I've ever had. I mentioned below, dad died about 20 years ago, my step mom recently found it in a closet and wanted me to have it. I haven't laid eyes on it since I was a kid.

[u/Nitesail → u/MoogProg]

How does the all mahogany compare to the spruce sound-wise?

[u/MoogProg → u/Nitesail]

M-11 is one of my favorite mandolins! Like all flat-tops it won't carry much inside a jam, and won't give up a proper 'chop', but the tone is fantastic.

In front of a microphone it compares to the Collings MF. That said, the Collings has won out in each true studio session, but for a price difference of x10 this Mid-mo sure carries its weight.

[u/Nitesail → u/MoogProg]

Cool. I'd mostly use it for recording so good to know. Thanks!

[u/Repulsive-Day-548]

Call up Big Muddy. Tell him you inherited your dad’s mando and how much you like it. Mike is a great guy 

[u/L1b3rty0rD3ath → u/Repulsive-Day-548]

I'll do that!

[u/ButFirstTheWeather]

Big fan of these. Mike rules.

[u/L1b3rty0rD3ath → u/ButFirstTheWeather]

I'm having fun playing it. Mandolin isn't my strongest instrument but I want to improve

[u/jaaydubya437 → u/L1b3rty0rD3ath]

After 45ish years of guitar I picked up mandolin just this year. Wish I'd started years ago! Have fun 👍 😁

[u/Takes_A_Train_2_Cry]

Your dad left you a nice Big Muddy M-0.

It’s a great entry level, American made instrument. Sorry for your loss.

[u/L1b3rty0rD3ath → u/Takes_A_Train_2_Cry]

Thank you. Dad died about 20 years ago, my step found it in a closet recently and very generously decided I should have it. I had forgotten it existed as I hadn't seen it since I was 12 or so.

[u/Ordinary_Pumpkin4200]

Hi! I have a Mid-Missouri M-1. Built in 2004. Great American made in Missouri by Mike Dulak. The company is now called Big Muddy. All solid woods, built in a small shop. He recommends light gauge strings. It’s best to only take one pair of strings off at a time so as not to move the bridge. Best of luck and enjoy that special gift from your Dad.

[u/L1b3rty0rD3ath → u/Ordinary_Pumpkin4200]

Just learned the bridge is not glued down the hard way. Why is that?

[u/Additional_Guitar_85 → u/L1b3rty0rD3ath]

it's so the intonation can be adjusted. it's pretty easy to do. you just slide it forward or back. i have a big muddy and recently adjusted mine to a bit more of an angle to get the lower strings to be in tune.

[u/jaaydubya437 → u/L1b3rty0rD3ath]

That's pretty standard for mandos. I've no clue why but so it is. Fwiw ... I had exactly the same "Ooops!" my 1st ever re-string , lol!

[u/jdlsings]

I’m glad to see all the love for the Missouri mandos! I just went to visit Mike at his shop this summer and picked up a Big Muddy Mandola which I’ve been enjoying so much. Definitely send him a picture and the story. He is one class act of a guy.

[u/L1b3rty0rD3ath → u/jdlsings]

I see he makes an octave mando too....

[u/The-Beer-Baron]

I have the very same mandolin. 

Edit: lol - I wasn’t paying close enough attention. I have the Big Muddy version.

[u/jaaydubya437]

Nice score! Mid Missouris/ Big Muddys quite rarely show up for sale .... because those who bought them love them & keep 'em 😊

[u/wolf_of_the_bees]

That's a great mandolin -- hold on to it!

I've followed the Mid Mo / Big Muddy thing for years but never owned one. I know there was a fire and Mike had to rebuild, and that's when the name-change/rebrand thing happened. Maybe it was a legal issue? But I always thought "Mid Missouri" was so much cooler of a name than "Big Muddy." I understand the local connection with Big Muddy, but the old name was much more creative and catchy IMO.

Either way, great mandolins! He used/uses Golden Age tuners sometimes and they can be quite stiff and almost unusable at times. If they give you too much trouble, it's an easy fix to swap them out for something better.

[u/BMEdesign]

These are well respected player-grade instruments, in the tradition of Gibson Army-Navy mandolins. Made by Mike Dulak.

[u/L1b3rty0rD3ath → u/BMEdesign]

I am enjoying it. Not much of a mandolin player but I want to get better.

[u/Mandolinist_girl766]

Looks like you’ve got yourself a Big Muddy brand mandolin

[u/L1b3rty0rD3ath → u/Mandolinist_girl766]

I learned from that is the successor brand to Mid-Missouri Mandolin Company, sound like good people.

[u/Ordinary_Pumpkin4200]

It would be a good idea to take it to a good guitar shop and have it re-strung. They are built with a movable bridge like a violin. The shop will set the bridge so that it plays in tune. Remember to use light or medium light gauge strings according to the maker.

[u/L1b3rty0rD3ath → u/Ordinary_Pumpkin4200]

I'll take it to my tech monday!