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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 15, 2023 15:21:21 GMT
Thank You very much Michael  ... Exactly like that! Manish gets a great sound. As well as the pickup he is using a mini Mackie (I think) mixer. Manish used to teach sound engineering at a film school in Mumbai. I have a feeling that Manish might really like one of these. I recently got one for the occasional times I plug in my guitars and it is superb. Oops...the photo is much bigger than the real thing! www.fishman.com/portfolio/platinum-pro-eq-di-analog-preamp/ Shine On Michael |
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rbleu
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Post by rbleu on Mar 21, 2023 1:30:42 GMT
... Thank You very much Michael...
I Will explore that solution ![]() ![]() ... ... I have seen also some experiences with K&K, what would you think about ?
PS:
Do you by any chance have the email address of Conchord Bhabasindhu, the historical builder to try to order a mohan veena from him with my specifications or at least a "good instrument"?
Many thanks in advance Michael
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 21, 2023 9:35:58 GMT
 The late Bhabasindhu Biswas and Manish Pingle in 2016 My pleasure. I am happy to be able to help you. I am not sure which pickup Manish uses, you would have to ask him. Manish does not use the Fishman Platinum Pro EQ, but I think when he sees and tries mine he might get one! The original maker and master of the Mohan veena, Bhabasindhu Biswas, died in 2020. The business is now run by his daughter, Ria Biswas, and the instruments are made I think by his son. I do not have email or a phone number for Ria, but here are her Facebook pages.... www.facebook.com/bhabasindhu.biswas.9www.facebook.com/biswas22I hope that is all helpful information. Shine On Michael  |
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rbleu
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Post by rbleu on Mar 22, 2023 16:14:45 GMT
... Thank You very much Michael  |
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rbleu
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Posts: 32
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Post by rbleu on Mar 28, 2023 19:29:29 GMT
Hello Michael Hope that you feel fine ! I am in the process of starting discussions with the manufacturer with respect to whom I will have to show the greatest and lucid clarity... With this in mind, I would need your comparative opinion for those 2 instruments on these 2 videos, since you seem to have an instrument of the second type with a hollow neck, and must have already heard the first played... Here you will find 2 videos attached. From your point of view, what are the advantages of each of those 2 instruments, and which one do you prefer (given your experience, and that I am new to these instruments) and please especially why ?
=> 2) and the second entirely in solid wood unlike the first, of which only the soundboard seems to be in solid wood: www.facebook.com/messenger_media?attachment_id=579439587473935&message_id=mid.%24cAABa9BV0T_eNRMhNDWHE4H_uKQlS&thread_id=100004868282863 ... Many thanks in advance for your advice... |
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 28, 2023 19:44:56 GMT
Hello rbleu,
My Mohan veena does not have a hollow neck, it has a solid neck and it is a fantastic instrument. It sustains particularly well and the sympathetic notes ring out very loud and clear. This is not the case with all Mohan veenas. I know that Manish does not favour the hollow neck instruments, but as I have never played a hollow neck one, I cannot comment. My instrument was made by Bhabasindhu Biswas in December 2018 and Manish brought it to the UK in February 2019. I hear from Manish that the new ones are really good.
Your two video links do not work, so I have not seen the videos. The links take me to a blank Facebook screen. I am happy to see the videos if you can find a way for me to see them.
Oh....it is for you decide, but I would prefer to write to your name, rather than rbleu. Merci beaucoup 😎
Shine On
Michael
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rbleu
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Post by rbleu on Mar 28, 2023 20:53:19 GMT
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 29, 2023 9:32:37 GMT
Hello rbleu,
It would be great to meet you when I am in Paris. I hope to visit sometime this year.
I definitely prefer the solid neck Mohan veenas. I think they have more clarity and more definition of the notes than the hollow neck instruments, which to me do have some warmth, but maybe a little dull sounding. With so many strings tuned up quite high there is a lot of tension on these instruments and I believe that works better and is a lot more sturdy and strong on a solid neck instrument. I worry that the hollow neck Mohan veenas might split with the tension and the variations in humidity.
In 2020 the weather got very hot and dry in the UK and one day there was a loud bang in my guitar room. It was loud like someone had hit one of my guitars with a hammer! After a few moments of trying to understand what had happened I realised that the back of my Mohan veena had split from top to bottom! I quickly loosened all the strings and called my friend and master luthier, Dave King. Dave explained to me that coming from Mumbai and then going into such a dry environment, and being under so much tension from the strings, that it just couldn't take it and decided to split. I took it to Dave and he humidified it for a while and then repaired the back. Three years later it is visible, but strong now and absolutely fine. It still sounds wonderful. So that is something that would worry me more with a hollow neck instrument that is more fragile than mine.
Get a solid neck one and you will be very happy, they are amazing instruments. Also you must get their solid fibreglass case that is made to fit perfectly. This is essential for shipping it to you, but when it is in Paris it is easier to carry it around in a large Reunion Blues gig bag.
I hope that is helpful.
Shine On
Michael
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rbleu
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Post by rbleu on Mar 29, 2023 20:06:28 GMT
Hello Michael ... with a very big thank to you, it will be very very useful to me... ... Because, it seems difficult to communicate clearly with the Indians, without really knowing why...
No doubt... they have the feeling of doing something extraordinary, but their prices - pushed up - still seem high...
Given your experience with yours, is their work (and their uses) up to our professional luthery standards (or even good Chinese quality) ? Thank You very much
PS: ...Your cracks makes me think that they also produce instruments with a massive soundboard, but with a back and side made of "Veener" (processed high quality plywood they say...) which obviously is more resistant in this case... But for the sound... have you heard... about it ?
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 30, 2023 7:55:52 GMT
Hi bleu,
Your comments are not easy to read. They make me feel uncomfortable and would offend my Indian and Chinese friends.
Chinese and Indian people today are amazing craftspeople and artists. They and their ancestors have created some of the most beautiful pieces of work ever created by human beings. The reason poor quality Far Eastern products exist is because Western customers demand that of them. They want their products made as fast as possible, as cheap as possible, and then at the end of it all they don't even thank them!
If you want to play Indian music on an instrument that was invented in India by Indian musicians and craftspeople, you will NEVER find anything in the West, however well built it is, that will give you the sound of the real thing. When my luthier friend, Dave King, repaired the Mohan veena, he said that he would not be able to make one because he does not understand how it is supposed to sound. He also would not be able to make it look like an Indian instrument because he does not understand what it is supposed to look like.
The crack in my Mohan veena, in a solid piece of wood, NOT plywood, was because of humidity changes. It could happen to any piece of wood. I have seen Martin guitars split for the same reasons.
I think we have reached the end of our discussion.
Shine On
Michael
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rbleu
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Post by rbleu on Mar 30, 2023 10:48:25 GMT
Thank you very much Michael.
Sorry... ... it's our typical humor of Parisian "luthiers discussions at the cafe" (as they say) ...
I have edited my comment so your friends can't be offended... You are probably right, and in this specific case I hope to be able to judge as soon as possible myself, upon receipt of the instrument ordered. |
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rbleu
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Post by rbleu on Mar 30, 2023 11:29:41 GMT
 ... one last organology question please, which you will answer if it seems fair and just to you... Concerning the "taraf" string perched "on the peg" between the 10th and 11th tuner (of the Mohan Veena) and winding by the 8th tuner… Would it have the same use and utility as the 2 drone string "chikari" facing audience of the Chaturangui (on the enclosed documentary picture) ? Thank you again for your help and clarifications in this project. … Your experience, considerable work are very useful and enlightening for “aficionados” of the world of slide music… Best regards |
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 30, 2023 12:44:04 GMT
Hi bleu, One has to be careful about what is humorous and what is racist "Sorry...... it's our typical humor of Parisian "luthiers discussions at the cafe" (as they say) ..." It is too easy to slip into offensive racist and sexist conversations when we are in certain company, but it is important to rise above that, otherwise we (the human race) will never advance and will keep going round in circles as we do now. Manish Pingle's number one Mohan veena has in the past ten years toured 30 countries doing hundreds of concerts, and has been on maybe hundreds of flights, and all in a gig bag, not a hard case. I would say that proves how well built it is. It has had to have the occasional repair, but that is only to be expected. The string you are asking about on the peg, is tuned to the root "sa" and to me having played five string banjo on and off for many years, it is just like the short high G string. That high Sa is always there for you thumb to catch and ring out that note. I'm not sure that I am answering your question...?  Harry Manx is using quite heavy melody strings there, but each person has their own taste in these things and Harry has his own sound. I find it chokes the sound a little and prefer a 14 on the top, unless I was tuning down to C, then maybe lighter. I think Bob Brozman was using the same gauges as Debashish Bhattacharya on the Chaturangui. I have known Debashish and his brother, Subasis, for a long time. They are both extraordinary musicians. Thank you for your kind words. Shine On Michael |
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rbleu
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Post by rbleu on Mar 30, 2023 14:00:53 GMT
Thank you for taking the time and care to answer me...
In fact, that's what I already suspected...
it is indeed in the 2 cases (Mohan Veena & Chaturangui) one "SA" drone
in the first case (MV) like a banjo, and in the other (Ch....) a bit like the octaviated drones of the hypnotic Rudra Veena
Thank you for making me emerge and realize this subtle evidence
Read you soon
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rbleu
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Post by rbleu on Apr 1, 2023 21:53:08 GMT
Hello ! ... Here are 2 interesting videos... his author plays on 2 instruments (a priori totally unamplified, from what I've read) from the same manufacturer...
1) One has an hollow neck
=>
2) the other has a full solid neck
=>
3) and the last : solid neck and plywood back & side =>
... Interesting to talk about...
Best Regards
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