WinterGrass pix [Archive] - Mandolin Cafe Forum

Scott Tichenor

Feb-29-2004, 10:11am

This is literally the first time in my life I've uttered the words "get a camera and take pictures of me playing this mandolin". This is Loar 76547 (http://www.mandolinarchive.com/perl/show_mando.pl?2781) strung with new strings and played for the first time in over 50 years. I'd be telling a lie if I said I had high hopes for the first sounds out of it in that time. After all, how many of you have had this opportunity in your lifetime? I certainly haven't and would bet money this was my first and last time.

So how'd it sound? Let's just say the notes were literally busting out of it. I was stunned. Couldn't stop grinning. It's first tunes in order: Gold Rush, Kentucky Waltz and Angeline the Baker. I dug for everything I could get on Kentucky Waltz in the tremolo and it gave back nicely. Wow, what an opportunity. Jack and Sharon (the owners) are very generous and a great couple. I'll post a pic of them out here later with their OK. Still a bit overwhelmed by that experience.

FYI - we had a couple of master repair folks with experience look it over before stringing it up in case you were wondering. If mandolins could talk I think this one would have said "what took you so long, I'm ready to roll!"

Scott Tichenor

Feb-29-2004, 10:16am

MandoTasting was Thursday night with John Reischman doing the official tastes. Several Loars and everything from top to bottom to old to new and everything in between. Thanks to Ken Cartwright for putting this on. More pix of this later. I'll likely not post any more on this today as I'm playing some catch-up with my family but let me extend a thanks to everyone I met there. What a super bunch of folks there were at this festival. It was a real honor and pleasure to meet all of the super builders, vendors, mandolin folks. Thank you for your support, kindness and time.

Scott Tichenor

Feb-29-2004, 10:20am

One last parting comment: anyone with WinterGrass pix is welcome to post those out here. Uh... with one or two pix as exceptions that Bruce Harvie and I have promised to never show anyone.

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

mandomood

Feb-29-2004, 10:21am

what strings were put on it (the loar)and how would you describe the the overall?...

played lightly vs. played a little more aggressively (like when you dug in for tremelo)?

Scott Tichenor

Feb-29-2004, 11:27am

what strings were put on it (the loar)and how would you describe the the overall?...

played lightly vs. played a little more aggressively (like when you dug in for tremelo)?
J74, that's medium gauge D'Addario phospher bronze. Well, no surprise--it sounds exactly like what you'd expect a Loar to sound like. To my ear it had that super E and A string that returns the Monroe-like bluegrass tone at it's best, and even though we didn't get the set-up just perfect it still responded exceptionally well. In particular, the D tones really seemed to pop. It was still warming up by the time I put it down. I expected that it could possibly sound good, but didn't anticipate just how good. I was prepared for it to not sound good at all. Dead wrong. I have a pretty heavy right hand for lead playing so I found the response quite suitable whether played softly or driven.

This mandolin is likely headed down to Frank Ford's at some point if he'd like to work on it. I suspect he won't say no. If you haven't picked up on this already, this really created a festive mood having this played. Tom Rozum test drove as did Todd Wright from Gibson and I got a shot of Todd with it I'll post eventually.

Mando Medic

Feb-29-2004, 1:16pm

Happy Campers

Scott Tichenor

Feb-29-2004, 3:14pm

Todd Wright, Gibson Marketing Manager sampling Loar 76547.

Scott Tichenor

Feb-29-2004, 3:19pm

John Reischman, the king of tone, taste, timing and the MandoTasting workhorse.

Scott Tichenor

Feb-29-2004, 3:22pm

John sampling the Melondolin from Bill Bussman. John said it sounded "sweet". You may laugh, but it's a good sounding mandolin.

Scott Tichenor

Feb-29-2004, 3:24pm

Lots of goodies at the Gibson booth.

Scott Tichenor

Feb-29-2004, 3:28pm

This is Fletcher Brock with his mandola. What a killer one-piece back on it! Fletcher Brock web site (http://store.yahoo.com/mtbeach/brockguitars.html)

Scott Tichenor

Feb-29-2004, 3:32pm

... and the front.

Scott Tichenor

Feb-29-2004, 3:36pm

Quintet of the Hot Club ala Bill Bussman of Old Wave Mandolins (http://www.oldwavemandolins.com/). What a great guy Bill is.

Scott Tichenor

Feb-29-2004, 3:40pm

Left: Bill Bussman, Right: Bruce Harvie. Two serious men, trust me.

chirorehab

Feb-29-2004, 3:46pm

Scott,

What is the condition of the Loar? - It looks brand new!

Thanks,

Eric

Scott Tichenor

Feb-29-2004, 3:58pm

This is John West, one of the WinterGrass organizers or board members, not sure which. We spent about an hour photo'ing some instruments from his collection for posting on the Mandolin Archive (http://www.mandolinarchive.com) web site. John's a great guy, a real knowledge powerhouse on early Gibson instruments. We had a good time hanging out together.

Scott Tichenor

Feb-29-2004, 4:33pm

Think that's most of the pix I had. But, I wanted to mention some folks I met and a few comments when applicable for those of interest.

Paul LeStock (http://www.arrowguitar.com/) had an instrument in the MandoTasting. There's about an 80% chance (my figure) I'm going to order one of his guitar-shaped four-string mandolins. They're kickin' and I've been wanting one. I tested out Radim's while there. His work is superb.

Keith Newell (http://home.comcast.net/~mandolinkgn/wsb/html/view.cgi-home.html-.html) was there and his latest A made the Tasting I believe. There's one locally here a student bought at my recommendation/urging. Keith also has some really stylish tail-pieces. Great work/sound/craftsmanship for a great price. Big throat on his mandolins.

Visited with the folks from San Juan (http://www.dint.com/THP/Cool_Links/San_Juan_Mandolins/san_juan_mandolins.htm) Mandolins up from Colorado. Stylish high-quality work, good sound for the $. Unique head stock. I like what they've done.

Visited a bit with Lawrence Smart (http://www.smart-instruments.com/) who was there strictly on pleasure. Got to play a few of his. It'd been awhile and I see why he has a waiting list.

Hoped to meet John Sullivan (http://quicksitebuilder.cnet.com/heavyhorse/index2.html), a regional builder from that area but he didn't make it. Bruce Harvie's new Sullivan was still drying out but was a really exceptional box.

Also had a chance to play a few Michael Lewis (http://www.michaellewisinstruments.com/) instruments and we all know what great work he produces. Last weekend Ted Eschliman brought a Lewis Django model to the Stiernberg workshops and we marvelled.

Ran into a lot of Heiden (http://www.users.uniserve.com/~mheiden/) owners, another builder I hoped would be there. More great work from him.

Rigel (http://www.rigelmandolin.com/) had a booth with Martin Stillion of emando.com that included the new Jethro model featured on their site. Sweet.

Boy, it's just not fair. They seem to be overloaded in that part of the country. Anyone that wants to go mandolin shopping next year this time you know where to go.

You've been warned.

Personally if there was no end to my checkbook I'd be owning about 12 new mandolins from all the folks I met up there.

grsnovi

Feb-29-2004, 6:43pm

Actually, I believe the shot of all the Gibsons above was taken at the Music Machine booth. They had a lot of F5 G's, a few Ferns and I believe a MM.

Scott Tichenor

Feb-29-2004, 8:09pm

Actually, I believe the shot of all the Gibsons above was taken at the Music Machine booth. They had a lot of F5 G's, a few Ferns and I believe a MM.
That's correct. Todd was just there helping them out.

AussieRoger

Feb-29-2004, 8:39pm

Wow, a piccolo mandolin! Incredible, I've never seen one before.

Russ(String-Alley)

Feb-29-2004, 9:07pm

Thanks for sharing this Scott!
this is one awsome review.

cheers!

G. Fisher

Feb-29-2004, 9:29pm

Keith Newell

Feb-29-2004, 11:17pm

Let me tell you this was my first time at Wintergrass and I am looking into booking the 4 days for next year and getting a vendor table. If you havent been to it you really cant relate anything to what Im saying unless you have been to a Vegas Casino. The sound from the minute you walk in is everywhere as are the people. Instruments are hanging off every arm and if you dont have one then somethings wrong..
I met so many mandolincafe members that I know by their "handle" and really enjoyed talking to you all. I got to see great acts like Sam Bush, 3rd Tyme out, Tim O'brian (spellings not my thing) and several others and left totally inspired.
I got a couple compliments from John Reischman at mandotasting, #1 was "wow, really cool tailpiece" and #2 " Nice mandolin" after he had just played it for the tasting. That was cloud 9 for me, that made my weekend.
Scott, I finally got to meet you and it was an honor. What you do for this sight takes a lot of time, energy and money. We all appreciate it.
Zeke and Jamie it was good to put a face with those fine mandolins. Zeke, you intimidate me with those fast licks http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Cant wait for it to happen again.
Keith Newell
http://home.comcast.net/~mandolinkgn/wsb/html/view.cgi-home.html-.html
SOON TO BE newellmandolins.com

Scott Tichenor

Mar-01-2004, 5:43am

Hey Scott,

Is Wintergrass going to become a regular event on your calander?

It was nice getting to finally meet the man behind the website. I had a great time picking with you and getting to play your Nugget at the little tasting we had. #Seeing you play the Wiens piccolo and then utter the words "It is a good thing I don't have my checkbook with me'" was priceless.

Have you made a final decision what you are going to have Hans use for the top of your mando?

Greg
Greg, sure like it to be an annual event. I'll get in touch with Hans to discuss wood. Think I made a decions.

And Keith Newell, you need to get a booth and display your great mandolins next near. None of this loafing and having fun man!

mandopete

Mar-01-2004, 10:11am

This was my 10th year at Wintergrass and every year it just keeps getting better. #I remember in year 2, I slept in my car in the parking lot of the Sheraton, boy things have changed!

This year was certainly made even more special by all of the attention given to the mandolin, both by the tasting and a visit from our very own Scott Tichenor.

Personally I didn't believe Scott was a real person, but rather a figment of the Internet, a wisp on the web....but there he was in the flesh.

Scott, it was great to meet you and share more than a few beers up in the "mando-pit" of room 409 - I'm looking forward to next year!

......and speaking of the mando-pit, Thursday night has become a tradition of sorts with the mando-swapo meeting. #If M.A.S. can be said to be an affliction (and I find it ironic that "MAS" is Spanish for more), then these two certainly must be its poster children........

mandopete

Mar-01-2004, 10:36am

Airline ticket from Kansas City to Seattle = $300

Weekend pass for the Wintegrass Festival = $100

Jamie Wiens picolo mandolin = $ ?

Meeting Scott Tichenor - PRICELESS!

Mar-01-2004, 11:53am

That thing is tiny! So mandoPete how much is the piccolo?

mandopete

Mar-01-2004, 12:27pm

That thing is tiny! So mandoPete how much is the piccolo?
I honestly don't know, you'll have to check with Jamie.

mandopete

Mar-01-2004, 12:30pm

Speaking of M.A.S. - this is what followed me home. #A 2003 Fletcher Brock A-Style oval hole mando that is going to get some serious playing time as I kick back on the couch! Already wrote the first tune on it - its called Random Hippie Sanding. #Those in attendance at the Sam Bush workshop will understand the title . . . . .

Spruce

Mar-01-2004, 12:32pm

Yep....

There was great fun to be had at W'grass this year, and there were some fine mandos kicking around. #
Counted 4 Loars and a gob of mandos that I would have loved to live with for awhile...

It was great to finally meet Mr. Tichenor, who completly diffused all
those stories I'd heard about him (you know the ones). #Turns out he's a great guy and really does know something about mandolins, and can pick the hell out of that Nugget he packs around too...

It was a joy having Mr. Bussman around to take the edge off the flourescent lighting in the vendor room, and his Watermelon was actually one of the best sounding mandos in the whole shebang. #Love to hear it through a wah-wah pedal and a '57 Bandmaster...

Fletch's 'dola was a winner, as was Jamie's piccalo (his "normal" F5 mando wasn't too shabby either).

Did anyone take the Eastman F5 that was on display at Bruce Sexhouer's booth out for a spin? #Pretty scary little 1900.00 box--scary if you're a mandolin maker, that is....

Some favorite musical moments (other than the jam in my room that went 'till 6 a.m. Sunday morning):

Rob Ickes and Andy Leftwich played a cool set. #I've always loved the sound of just the Dobro and mandolin together, and they tore it up.

Pete Martin's workshop on playing Texas style fiddle tunes on the mandolin was a very cool workshop. #He played a couple tunes the way that Monroe might play them, and then showed how it might be done Texas style. #Really an eye-opener for me....

There's more I'm sure, but things are a bit foggy right about now. #It's a gorgeous sunny day in the Pacific Northwest, so I need to get outside and take it in...

I'll post some pics. #Here's a Brentrup F4 with a '14 F4 side-by-side...

Spruce

Mar-01-2004, 12:35pm

The aforementioned Mr. Bussman....

Spruce

Mar-01-2004, 12:39pm

The Pete Martin workshop....
Rich Levine on guitar...

Note the snapped scroll on Pete's Gilchrist (Calton case owners beware!)...

Spruce

Mar-01-2004, 12:41pm

Builders Lawrence Smart and Steve Andersen....

mandopete

Mar-01-2004, 12:46pm

Some favorite musical moments (other than the jam in my room that went 'till 6 a.m. Sunday morning):
For me it was Jackstraw in the Ballroom on Friday night. David Pugh and Jon Neufeld absolutely tore it up!!

That's Jon on his new Sullivan archtop guitar. This picture does not do it justice.

I can just feel G.A.S. (and I don't mean flatulence http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif ) comming on.

Spruce

Mar-01-2004, 12:50pm

A gaggle of John Sullivans....

76547

Mar-01-2004, 12:52pm

Scott is too shy to say how he really looked and acted while playing my mandolin. He was like a father who just had another baby. He really enjoyed it and made it sound wonderful. Sharon and I didn't know what to expect. We have been listening to mandolin music recently so we would have an ear for the sound. Glad we did because Scott, Tom and Todd made it sound wonderful. My grandfather would have been proud. We met so many great people. I would really like to thank Richard Starkey and the guys at Dusty Strings for making 76547 playable so Scott could have at it. Scott, Richard finished up with it, tuned it and adjusted the neck, after you left Saturday. Wish you would have been there to play it then. Thanks also to all the guys at Gibson for their input and information. Most of all thanks to Scott for meeting with us and introducing us to all the others. You are the man!
Will get it to Calif., to Mr. Ford, if he will have it. To John West, mahalo and enjoy Hilo.
We need to get Scott to post more of the pictures of him playing 76547.

mandopete

Mar-01-2004, 12:58pm

Here's my other musical hightlight, 'nuff said

Although I'm not sure I understand the Christmas trees.

JamesBryan

Mar-01-2004, 2:39pm

For me it was listening in-between Scott Tichenor and my good friend Jinx Davis [a real-deal swing guitarist/singer] on "Slow Boat to China" and "Moonglow." #With jazzer Seattle Rod on bass. #In this little cement bunker phone room where the sound was quite fine. #Goosebumps.

The truth is, Scott is it. #If the flowing clever phrasing isn't enough, there's his clear articulation and spacing of each note. #Jaw dropping. An inspiration.

Met many fine players, esp. one Joe Walsh #from Duluth who's headed to Berklee School on mando this fall. #What chops!

Also enjoyed Django djamming w/ Mike from Edmonton Alberta. #He plays a very nice F model by a luthier up his way named "Muth" #(pronounced with the "ooo" sound). #Made for an amusing image to me of a northern Canadian mando named "Muth", but Mike didn't seem to get the joke. #Probably meaning that my cracks are out of line, as per usual.

But much fun was to be had. #Jim

mrmando

Mar-01-2004, 3:33pm

Oh no, for the first time in his adult life there's a picture of Scott on the board. At least you can't see his face.

I got about 30 seconds on 76547 and I didn't have a pick at the time. But since I'm local, perhaps I'll get another shot later. Did play another very nice Loar in a little jam up on the 18th floor. If my camera battery hadn't expired on Friday night I'm sure I would have more pictures.

The piccolo mandolin, if I understand Jamie correctly, is tuned CGDA, an octave up from a mandola. I bet it would be good for the high part on "Rawhide"...

Thanks to everyone who stopped by the Rigel booth. The most fun I had there was listening to Jake Henry shredding on a Bacorn 5-string electric. Jake said it was his first time playing such a beast -- didn't take him long to figure it out.

I did take the Eastman for a spin -- the bound F-holes had me mesmerized. Pretty happy little instrument. I told Sexauer I was afraid that it meant more jobs would go overseas; he said that in the case of Eastman violins and basses, they had the effect of expanding the market, so most other builders weren't getting hurt. We shall see...

After 4 days of playing & listening to the Rigels in my booth, I wanted the G5 but would have been happy with the CT110. Both extremely loud & punchy bluegrass cannons that stood up to the most aggressive playing. Got a few snide remarks about the way they look, but lots of positive feedback on the sound.

Of the other vendors' stuff that I tried, I was most impressed with a Sullivan A at Greg Boyd's. Got to play lots of other people's mandos, more so than any other Wintergrass I've been to. Loved Scott's Nugget and Carl Chatski's Krishot; Chris S. from Alaska is making some nice F-styles too. Sorry I forgot your last name, Chris.

mandopete

Mar-01-2004, 5:07pm

Oh no, for the first time in his adult life there's a picture of Scott on the board. At least you can't see his face.
Oh I just can't resist a barb like that......

Only thing is I think we need a caption for this one. #Here's mine:

"Oh no, I left my wallet in my other pants"

FishwaterInc

Mar-01-2004, 11:42pm

Y'all are killing me because I was supposed to be at Wintergrass, but it didn't happen http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif Hopefully next year...

danb

Mar-02-2004, 5:42am

This is one of Scott's pictures.. I wasn't there. Boy I'd sure have a grin like that on my face if I was strumming that Loar http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

76547

Mar-02-2004, 10:34am

Scott had this look on his face the whole time he had 76547 in his hands. More so when he was playing it. I imagine that look was on his face until he got on the plane. Maybe longer. For those of you that know and have met Scott I am suer you know this. For those of you that haven't had the opportunity I want to say what a gentleman he is and how knowledgable. He treated my wife and I, who he had just met, like he had known us for a while. He was a very gracious host and connected us with the "right" people.
While I am posting I need to thank Dan Murdoch from "Dusty Strings". Dan you were a great help and thanks for letting Richard spend so much time getting 76547 ready!

Christopher Standridge

Mar-02-2004, 12:22pm

Chris S. from Alaska is making some nice F-styles too. Sorry I forgot your last name, Chris.
Thanks Martin, I sure enjoyed picking with you for the first time. The last name is Standridge and I am actually now not too far from you in Vancouver, WA. What a great weekend!

GaryM

Mar-02-2004, 5:38pm

Group: Members
Posts: 169
Joined: Nov. 2002 Posted: Mar. 02 2004, 19:34

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My first Wintergrass!! wow
I had no idea how cool it would be. Walking into the lobby for the first time just blew me away!! Pickers Pickers and more pickers!! I was humbled for sure.. My mando hardly got out of the case. Next year I'll definatly spend more time. The highlights for me were, meeting Mr.Bussman and Spruce. Strumming a watermelon... and did anyone try that old martin hd28..omg only $17000.00 it was beautiful for sure.

Randolph

Mar-02-2004, 6:52pm

mandopete

Mar-03-2004, 8:53am

Spruce's picture of the Pete Martin workshop gave me pause. Why was everyone staring at the floor?
I think Pete was teaching a new technique called Teaxs-Style Pick Searching, which can used when you drop your $50 tortoise shell pick onto the ground.

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

mrmando

Mar-03-2004, 12:24pm

Here's Deirdre Donovan, who helped out at the Rigel booth, being dwarfed by the blue G110.

My camera battery expired suddenly on Friday night or I'd have more pix.

Can anyone ID the 4-string electric that Sam Bush played Friday night? 'Twasn't his Fender. Looked very much like one of the old Washburns from the '60s (photo at emando.com, natch). Had a fleur-de-lis in the headstock and a flamey top. Or it coulda been a Terry Bales custom job. Who knows?

Pete Martin

Mar-10-2004, 7:56am

Spruce's picture of the Pete Martin workshop gave me pause. Why was everyone staring at the floor? Then I figured out that one of the successes of Wintergrass was that everyone must have gotten new shoes #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif. Of course, having spent all that money on mandolins, a new pair of shoes would be a true bonus, especially in the Pacific Northwest in February! Great pics...thanks for sharing. Rand

No, we were trying to figure out who stepped in the dog pile. #As Lester Flatt sang

"I'll lock the door, put out the cat
and I'll go step in doo"

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif