Docy at Elderly

[mandobob]

I've seen these in the classifieds here but have never played one; I browse Eldelry every morning and just saw this:Elderly Instruments (http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/90U-3987.htm)

[mzbanjo]

Are Docy mandos any "good" (as relative as that is). I mostly mean craftsmanship wise, are they well built/good sounding instruments. I live only an hour from Elderly. Is it worth going out there to check it out? It'd be a lovely excuse to leave work early today...it is Friday after all.

[Dennis Schubert]

I'm curious -- that might make a great 2nd stage mando for an alternate tuning used on one or two songs -- would need to have volume, with tone secondary, and looks 'way down the line.

[mandodude]

I saw a guy swap his almost-new, fancy Epiphone F-style even-up for a Docy very much like the one at Elderly during this past weekend's BG jam. He swears by 'em... now owns three!

Didn't get to play this one, which, by the way, was LOUD, but I did pick a little on this guy's 2-point Docy a few weeks back. It, too, was loud. Neck was a little too big and "clunky" for my taste. Also, fingerboard felt a bit wider up the scale than I'm used to, but it did play nice n' easy.

Should note that the tops on Docys seem to be a bit thin. The 2-point I played had split and been repaired a couple of times, and he did say that the top on his third Docy was beginning to cave a bit.

Workmanship was good, but clearly hand-made... absolutely nothing fancy, as you can see by the Elderly pics.

[Tom C]

It may be good for the price. I would stick with a spruce top though.

[doanepoole]

Is that a flattop f-style???

Can't tell from the Elderly photos.

[danman]

I owned a 2001 Docy mandolin. I live in Florida and went to Mr. Docy's shop on several occassions. His mando's have a nice tone and play exceptionally true and easy. Mine was not loud enough for my tastes. Since his death, his family was selling off the remainder of his instruments for around 700.00 each. I sold mine for 400.00..I think the 250.00 Elderly is asking would be a great buy!

[jeffshuniak]

I have two left hand docys I would sell for $450 with TKL case, each of course.spruce/maple/all natural. I live in the same town sorta, got my first mandolin from him for $200 when I was 14 or 15. I am keeping my cedar top, its nice and thick sounding. I play old style classical mandolins now.. I think they are decent mandolins(docy). too bad you didnt get one while he was alive, he sold them for $300! they are fretted good, intonate good, stay in tune... they do need a few years to break in real good. docy told me himself he gets the wood straight from the butcher shop. maybe ages it about a year in his garage attic... well he did.. I want to sell them and buy a something else, but I am lazy.. one day I 'll post pics and an ad. maybe ebay or here.
go play it.. I wouldnt suggest paying too much for one. mine were both built summer 2001

[jeffshuniak]

wow, they are selling it fer $250. thats a good deal... cheaper than he sold them..
I am going to ask $350 with case.

[David Wight]

I bought the Docy danman is talking about. It was well worth it, it is easy to play, and is not bad looking for the price. Mine is not loud but for folk/celtic, and old time music it is fine. It is not fancy but is handmade out of all solid woods, and as danman said is easy to play with good tone. If you want a second mando or are just starting out you cannot beat the 250 dollar price! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[JeffS]

Where in Florida was his shop?

[FishwaterInc]

I wish I had the money and waited a 6 months longer before buying my first mando (aka the communist made a-style I bought - the Kentucky 150s)...darnit... I'm sad now, oh well...I'll live

[danman]

Mr Docy worked out of his home in St. Petersburg, Florida. In the vacinity of Tropicana Field (for anyone who knows the area). His shop was in the garage. I went to the shop a couple of different times.He was a very nice, soft spoken gentleman. I was told that he had made over a thousand mando's in his lifetime. I think he was in his high 80's when he passed away.

[jeffshuniak]

89 years to be exact. I live near him.