Pomeroy F4

[red7flag]

I have now had the Pomeroy F4 for two weeks and I guess now is the time for a review. #The pictures, in the picture section, speak for themselves. #This is a gorgeous instrument. #I have named her Gracie after the nickname for my beloved red haired grandmother, who is no longer with us. #Soon after I got it there developed a buzz and I think much can be attributed to the environmental differences between Colorado and Tennessee. #Tim Scheerhorn, renown for his lovely resonator guitars (read Dobro), worked diligently for two days and got most of it fixed. #He will replace the nut when the buzz gets worse. #Due to the nut being finished, he is reluctant to replace it unless it is necessary. #My hat off to my friend Tim. #He gave it back to me Tuesday of this week and since that time the tone has just blossomed. #It is a full clean sound. #As I said in the picture thread, it is not the Weber I sold to get it. #It definately is not like its sibling the growly Collings MF. #It really is more like the teens Gibson F4 that is was fashioned after, but has a cleaner fresher sound, also it is not 85 or so years old. Unlike most modern F4s it is a 12 fret and the fretboard is attached to the body. #Better or worse, no different. #I hope some day to AB with Mark Lane's Pomeroy 15 fret raised fretboard F4. #I have been asked if it chops. #Yes, but not for a large bluegrass gang, but it was not designed to "cut", it was designed to sing and that it does. #It plays fiddle and Celtic music to die for. #It was a tough first week working through the buzz, but Gracie is doing great. #The sound is expanding and after a month should be even more awsome than it already is. #My thanks to both Don Paine and Tim Scheerhorn for their great service. #Just to clear up and possible misconception, Don offered to do anything necessary to get the buzz problem right. #I am just fortunate to have Tim both as a friend and as a neighbor. #He was willing to fit me in his very busy work schedule. #I feel blessed to have Gracie.
Tony

[clarksavage]

A refreshing (and inspirational to me) review! I admire a man who works with the whole instrument instead of picking the small details where something is amiss. And that little buzz is entirely workable and won't be any problem with some time and effort. You'll have Gracie singing like she should. I only wish I lived nearby and could hear her while you play.... I recently struggled with a similar situation (in a lower price range http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif ) and am entirely pleased with the piece of wood I keep holding in my lap.

[Kevin Briggs]

Thanks for the review, red. Well, with yours all completed, it shoudl only be a matter of weeks or about two months until mine is ready for production. you make me really anticipate my Pomeroy.

How did you decide on the finish for your mandolin? Why did you choose the colors and satin? DSid Don give any input into this?

Thanks again

[red7flag]

As far as the red sunburst, I saw some others like Mark Lane's that I really liked. He added a little yellow to the front that broadened the color scheme. Don actually did that on his own looking at some pictures from teen Gibson F4s that is was modeled after. As far as the satin, I really like the look on other instruments that he made. Obviously Mark did not and sent it back to get glossed up. After having the MF and and seeing it naturally gloss up over time and use, I see that happening with this one too.
Tony

[Kevin Briggs]

Thanks for the info. Did you consider Don's oil varnish?

[red7flag]

Kevin, I did, but got the feeling that he is still working his varnish techniques. Given what we were doing he seemed to feel more comfortable with the nitro. As many have said here, "Trust you builder" and I did and do.
Tony

[LKN2MYIS]

Good for you, red.

My #64 F4 is, simply put, sweet. I would order another from Don without a moment's hesitation.

His recommendations and my dreams resulted in an outstanding instrument that really expresses itself and myself.

Enjoy it.

[luckylarue]

Congrats Tony - Every mando is going to have an occasional buzz or other issue from time to time. I just think Don's mandos are a great deal, especially in terms of price. Before having Don build me an A2 #75, I owned a '23 A and I can honestly say that the Pomeroy is louder than the Gibson and has a better tone on the A and E strings than the old snakehead. I think I liked the G string tone better on the '23, but otherwise, the Pomeroy has more than held it's own against the Gibson and other more expensive mandolins. Not just Don - there are a lot of luthiers out there making comparable or better (and more affordable) instruments than the vintage ones. Cheers!

[red7flag]

Just a quick update. #The tone continues to come out. #I know understand what people said about F4s about being loud but not directed. #Gracie is loud but the sound is very round, I guess like the sound hole. #But seriously, although loud, it does not cut. #I know that is an overused term, but all that sound adds a lot to a jam, but does not take a lead well or stand out. #This instrument is a singer, with beautiful tone and great sustain. #Most players that hear it mention the sustain. #Non players say how beautiful it is. #I win either way. #Women seem to gravitate to this instrument more that any other I have had. #People talk about X braces instruments not needing as much opening up. #That does not seem to be the case with this instrument. #It is taking its own time and keeps opening up. #When I don't play it for a few days, it gets spiteful, and sounds like crud, til I can coach the sound out again. #It will take about 5 minutes. #There is still a minor and greatly reduced buzz. #I am holding off changing the nut. Tim Scheerhorn would like me to bring it in, but I am dragging my feet. #Don is a great person to work with. #Don made an instrument worthy of my lovely grand mother's nickname, may she rest in peace.
Tony

[red7flag]

Just one addition that came to me today. I like the postioning of the right hand on the F4 better. Being a 12 fret, the location of the bridge is farther back on body which moves your hand back for the sweet spot. For me, that is a more comfortable position, especially observeable when moving back to Collings. Not a big deal, but definately noticeable.
Tony