Mandolin Comparison - Bourgeois, Randy Wood, Doug Clark & The Loar

Hey guys - thought I'd make a short video comparing my 4 mandolins. This is not a fancy comparison video, just me playing the same song on each one using the same gear (listed below) for a fun sound comparison. Playing the first part of Chris Thile's "Jessamyn's Reel".
I'm using a TP60 BlueChip pick & D'Addario XS 11-40 strings on them (EJ74s on the Loar, I didn't want to waste a set of expensive strings on something I don't play much). All the strings were changed right before taking this video. Using a Zoom Q2n microphone for recording, so nothing fancy!
Thanks for watching and let me know what you think in the comments below!
-Lucy Lindblom

[@LibbysBluegrassVideos]

Great playing on all 4 mandolins! I like the Randy Wood best!

[@charlesmontgomery7002]

To my ear its the Randy Wood, but you make all of them sound great!

[@lucylindblommusic]

Thank you! :) I play the Randy Wood the most

[@DamienDalton]

I think the Wood, Clarke and Bourgeois all bring something of their own character. I like them all but the Clarke stood out ik relation to what i personally prefer.

[@lucylindblommusic]

Thanks for your comment Damien!

[@booniebevins1311]

That Clark sounds awesome! But they all sound great and great pickin on that tune!

[@lucylindblommusic]

Thanks Boonie!

[@bdelaney20]

I have that same Loar. I like that you included a budget mandolin as an obvious comparison to the more expensive ones.

[@mandoswinger]

Randy Wood is outstanding. Balanced and clear. Sounded like you were playing with less effort to get tone and volume.

[@WildwoodSon]

To my ears, the Clark and the Randy Wood are noticeably different but a level above the Bourgeois and so much better than The Loar. Thanks for the honest comparison.

[@lucylindblommusic]

Thanks for your comment! Glad you enjoyed the video! :)

[@Mandolin_Matt]

Great playing - I love that tune! The Randy Wood is the definite top of the bunch. I had the same Loar model before and unfortunately no amount of professional set-up could fix the thin and quiet sound. It's fine for beginners but not in the same league even as the lower-end Eastman models, definitely nowhere near your other beautiful mandos!

[@lucylindblommusic]

Thanks Matt! I definitely play the Randy Wood the most and would say it's probably my favorite. And yeah, I don't play the Loar, I just use it to collect signatures on it as you can probably see :)

[@bryancozort2068]

Randy Wood and Clark for the win! Chaston Carroll from Hammertowne was playing a Clark A model for a while that would cause hurricanes.

[@lucylindblommusic]

Thanks Bryan! I first heard about Clark mandolins from Mike Terry when he was with Joe Mullins - I was super impressed with the sound it has!

[@brendastafford9649]

Hey LucyL, that was fun listening, I picked the Randy Wood. I am sure you enjoy playing all of them! :-)

[@lucylindblommusic]

Thanks Brenda! 🙂The Randy Wood is my favorite too - has the warmest tone I think.

[@BenAdam-om2hr]

RW, followed by Clark for me. Bourgeois still thinks it's a tree, so some ToneRite/Tone Traveler or more pickin' hours required until its sound fully develops. The Loar is not in the same ball park IMO, 'though you bring out the best in them, Lucy!

[@lucylindblommusic]

Thanks! :) And yes you're right about the Bourgeois - it's still new and hasn't opened up very much yet. I'll probably put my ToneRite on it pretty soon and of course playing it more helps too!

[@BenAdam-om2hr]

@@lucylindblommusic If you're playing the others, I would just leave the ToneRite on it for a few weeks to kick in the break-in. I've had great results doing this, even on an older Collings mandolin!

[@lucylindblommusic]

@@BenAdam-om2hr I will do that - it'd be fun to hear a before and after to see what difference it makes on a close to new mandolin! I used the ToneRite on my RW and it made a huge difference I think!

[@BanjoLemonade]

Nice playin’ and nice mandolins. I enjoyed all of them. Wood at the top though for me.

[@lucylindblommusic]

@@BanjoLemonadeThank you! 🎶

[@mattschafnitz5843]

I don't know if it was fair that you used an lm-310f to compare instead of an lm-600, or, lm-700. Just my opinion, great playing. Your channel is typically very helpful.

[@lucylindblommusic]

Thanks for your comment Matt! I agree that the other Loars are much better, I just don't own one currently and since this wasn't a super fancy comparison I just thought I'd throw in the one I do own at the end :)

[@mattschafnitz5843]

@@lucylindblommusic ok thank you. Keep creating!