How long has it taken you.....

[chip]

Although not played all that long, 2-3 years, I decided early on to be a little patient and not just buy the latest and greatest but rather look and listen. The "Cafe" is such a great site for learning. I started out with a flatiron A, then decided I should treat myself to a F5 in which I bought a Gibson MM F-5V that had been made for a touring professional. I won't mention the name. I didn't realize what I had until I had it reset and now I can't imagine a better sounding or playing instrument. The tone after the reset is haunting. What a great surprise to have a great instrument turn into this "stradavarius" sounding mandolin. The luthier who reset this said that this particular mandolin sounds as good is not better than any loar he's ever worked on. This has been quite a surprise for me and just makes ya want to play, play, play. I gave him my 1922 Gibson F4 and pretty much the same results. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[hungry mountain boy]

Well when i first tried my J. Bovier "Shayne Bartley" model
back in November 06. I immediately thought it has a great tone, especially the D string. My sister that was with me agreed and said she liked it the best of all the 12 I played. We then looked over at the row of cardboard boxes that contained all 12 of the mandolins. There were three different boxes that had stars on them made by a purple marker. We noticed the stars and that this particular mandolin was one of the boxes with a star on it, after, I'll say it again, after we played and liked it. Jeff the owner of mandolins and more said that those were the mandolins he picked to sell first when he first tried them out of the box before set up. Then I took it home and played and played it in the jam and was very pleased and others at the jam agreed that this mandolin had the best tone of any mandos I've played (kentucky, Capek, Lebeda, Sparks, Breedlove, MK, and other foreign made). Then I experimented with string changes, let the mandolin set for a while, while I played a different mandolin, then I went back and started playing it more regularly, it seemed to be not as good as it was, then last week in practice I had the thought, this mandolin is sounding particularly good tonight for some reason. Then last night practicing home alone, I had the same sensation, it seemed that it was actually opening up, sounding like it did at first. Don't know why, thats just my experience. I did however recently put SIT strings on it again, but when i first tried it, it had factory strings on it. Anyway I'm currently in love again. That's my story. Glenn

[bjc]

I bought quite a few mandos and the one that has become my main axe was just an after thought. I bought it for the few BG tunes that I do. I found myself bringing it more places and pretty soon some of the prettier and more expensive mandos were spending more time hanging than this one.
It's funny when you find your voice in an unexpected axe.

[RichieK]

I bought one in early July in 1923 and it's really sounding great to me.. It was the best $250 I've spent. <g>!

[RobP]

I may *never* part with my Rigel A+ deluxe. I have been playing it since '03. After I play other mandolins it's always like coming home.

[Jonathan Peck]

When you get down to just one...then you know it's special http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[allenhopkins]

When you get down to just one...then you know it's special
Don't think that'll ever happen to me!

I use different mandolins when I want different sounds or textures -- or even different vintages (when I'm doing historical programs). Right now I'm playing the Gibson A/N Custom "pancake" and the Eastman 615 mandola the most, but the Sobell and the Flatiron come out whenever I'm working with the Celtic band, and I just did a bit of recording with the K-1 mandocello.

Sometimes I contemplate the question, "Which one would I keep if I could only keep one?" But I never reach a satisfactory answer.

[fatt-dad]

About 5 months after buying my Flatiron A5-1, I put it up for sale in the 'cafe classifides. I got an immediate reply for my then asking price with initial plans for a guy from Virginia to come play it/buy it. He called back to confirm his travels and I just couldn't go through with it. I just hadn't thought through what I was doing and called the deal off. For that I'm greatful as I've owned a few since and it's the one that remains.

Now who is the guy that may be miffed at me. . . . . ?

f-d

[Kevin Briggs]

For me, I realized how much I like my mandolin when I was briefly the owner of two nice mandolins. My mandolin kept calling my name when I was trying to figure the other one out for a few months. As mentioned above, when I went back to my mandoli it was like coming home. It felt so natural.

saving

[jk245]

I bought one in early July in 1923 and it's really sounding great to me.
It was the best $250 I've spent.
Wow! 84 years ago.

You must have been a kid at the time. Congratulations on your youth.

[sgarrity]

I knew after hitting the first chop chord on my Red Diamond that I had found a keeper. It would take a whole lot of mandolin to make me wantt o sell it.

Shaun

[F5G WIZ]

For me ordering a custom made mando where I made all the choices on options and color, made it special for me. I knew I had a part in the creation of that mando and when it arrived it was kinda like the arrival of a new baby! (I know the corny level is gettin' pretty high) But that mando was the perfect one for me. Exactly what I had pictured in my mind. Now I do still see other mandolins that I want and although my MAS is in remission, sometimes I see one that calls out to me, but I will always keep that custom job that I have really grown to love!

[Chip Booth]

My girlfriend (a mandolin player herself) helped me realize that I may have already found my "soul mate" mandolin. #I have a custom F5 on order and have been contemplating selling one of my other mandolins to help pay for it. #One night we sat down and played through them to decide which one to get rid of. #She watched how I responded to each, and even though I didn't think my Flatiron was the best sounding (though it's great, and darn close to the best sounding one) she saw how I held it differently, and reacted to it strongly. #As a result, it is staying, and another mandolin I thought I would keep is going away, and I feel little remorse. #

I also hope to keep her around for along while #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Chip

[F5G WIZ]

Chip: Who is building your new mando? I went throught the same thing when I ordered my new one, had to part with a great Gibson to afford the new custom, was a leap of faith but well worth it. I have a one of a kind mandolin.

[mandolinplayingpreacher]

I right now own a Morgan Monroe MCM-T collector Mandolin. I have had it for about a year and a half. The more I play it the more I am convinced that someone let this one slip through the crack.
I have had people tell me that have played it and heard me play it, that it is one of the best sounding mandolins they have ever heard from an Asian built instrument, and that came from people who own Gibson Mandolins.
I believe if you like it and it sounds good why pay big bucks for something else?

[Big Joe]

The minute I picked up my DMM (Brutus) and got to play my first lick on it at home...away from everyone else...I knew this mandolin and I were part of each other. It is an extension of me as much as my left leg is. I have other mandolins that sit nicely in the case and are fun to look at occasionally, but Brutus is the one without any questions. I have had other GREAT mandolins, but this 1 just stands head and shoulders above anything else I've ever played for me. I have no desire for anything else and have actually sold a DMM, a Gilchrist, a Varnished Fern, and another MM since I got Brutus and he is my soul mate. I have my "Blondie", X braced MM and it is as good a mandolin as one will ever play or hear, but Brutus is just a part of me.

[Jim Rowland]

I'll go you one better,Joe;my mandolin, "WImpy",actually IS my left leg. I'll admit that an F style prosthetic device has its limitations,particularly on the slopes,but it does get me a lot of attention,especially if well shod. Tuning is a problem.

[Chip Booth]

F5G WIZ, it's an Arches F5. I hope to see it in a few months. Who knows, will that be my new soul mate?

Chip

[F5G WIZ]

Arches ah yes! I have never heard one but have heard great things about them. He does beautiful work. Congratulations!

[F5G WIZ]

Big Joe, are there pictures of Brutus on the Cafe' anywhere?

[Mikey G]

Miss Lilly....My F5L without a doubt. Every time I pick her up it's like the first time. I have four other mandolins that I'll noodle around on from time to time, but Miss Lilly is THE ONE. I still look at other mandolins, and enjoy seeing what everyone else plays, but to know I own a killer Gibson that sounds better to me each time I play her is very comforting. She's not a $25K distressed job, and I'm thankful for that. She just had a birthday on April 19, (turned six,) and looks like she's never been played. I tend to baby my vehicles and my mandolins and this one is no exception. I know there are many who are in to the distressed thing, but I'm happy to have her in the pristine shape she's in. I bought her from a guy on the cafe, and never played her before I received her, but EVERYTHING he told me about this mandolin was right on. I've played a few Loars and some other great mandolins, but am content with what I have. Don told me I could spend a lot more money and still not get one that was as complete as this one, and he was right. My MAS may not be cured but is well under control.

[DryBones]

I think it is happening to me with this new J.Bovier or maybe it's just that new mando smell going to my head! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[jessboo]

on the a4 Lebeda i knew from the time i picked her up. then my technical advisor hit the first g chord on it and his jaw hit the floor. she just screamed take me home. I'm the one you've been looking for. I'm the only one you need. plus she been very understanding the last few months. while i try to decide if the lebeda j5 is as good. the jury is still out on that one. even tho my tech has given his seal of aproval to the j5 as well.

[mythicfish]

I don't want to get all dramatic about this and i'm not going to go into the details that confuse music with merchandise (i.e make, model year, finish etc). The last instrument i bought had nearly inoperable tuners, poor set-up, ancient strings, and less than attractive cosmetics. It took about two minutes to decide that it had the potential to become one of the best instruments I had played in 20 years.

Curt

[f5joe]

To respond regarding Big Joe's Brutus, I did post pics of big Brut a couple of years ago in the picture area. #I believe this is it: #http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=15;t=23461;hl=f5joe

For me, I was "home" when my Dudenbostel #2 landed at the house. #It's still my homebase. #My Duff is an extremeley close second though. #Both mandos make me feel "at home".

[MikeEdgerton]

When I decided I wanted to step up from my Eastman 615 and took a trip to Mandolin Brothers I expected to find out that I couldn't afford the mandolin that was going to just trip my trigger. I was wrong. I started playing a wall full of Gibson's and kept coming back to the same F5G. It just had the sound that I was looking for. It did it for me. I could "move up" a few notches financially but see no need to. This one just hit me right and it has "the sound". I own other mandolins but they are there only to make sure I have one at the office and a backup in case this one needs work.

[Soupy1957]

Anyone got a "used" Smith Creek for sale?http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

-soupy1957

[f5joe]

"p.s. thanks to Tracy for talking some sense into my thick skull and not letting me sell Dude #8!!!"

Glad you kept it! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[F5G WIZ]

Anyone got a "used" Smith Creek for sale?http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

-soupy1957
You might want to check with Kitty McCentyre(sp) over at The Famous Old Tyme Music store in Ohio, she had a couple for sale a while ago she may still have one. Google her name and you should find something on her.

[chip]

should I use OOOO or 000 sandpaper to distress my MMF-5V?
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
Chip

[Chippster]

Don't use sandpaper, Chip! Send it to me and i'll distress it! It'll take me several years ...

[swinginmandolins]

I knew from the first few notes and chords that my Holst was going to be a keeper. It has the tone, and feel that speaks to me. It keeps getting better all the time, or I'm just learning how to pull more tone out of it. I play for hours and when I have to quit I still feel like I need to play more. I can't wait for the next practice session. I feel like I can play music I couldn't before. I guess you could say I'm in love http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif