Dude #35

[Jonathan Peck]

Anybody else happen to notice this? Born on 1/07 and already up for adoption. Good thing my MAS is cured or else I might be living in a van down by the river.

(no financial interest)

[jjboone101]

Looks amazing. Would love to hear some clips...

[bradeinhorn]

with all due respect, i think it is just outrageous. and i say that after just finishing a biography on stradivari.

[Jonathan Peck]

I don't think that it's outrageous. He is at the top of a short list of premier builders. Frankly, I've never really understood why mandolin's cost so much less than violins considering how many hours it takes to make one, and why violins appreciate in value while mandolins depreciate the moment you walk out of the store with them. A premier violin maker would get much more than that for a new instrument, and it would appreciate in value.

This is only instrument #35. Because there are only a limited number of Dudes out there I would think that they are very desireable from a collector standpoint. I think that the odds are pretty high that this one will end up in a collectors case.

-jonathan

[om21ed]

chances are good that with a mandolin of that quality in the house he's also got a pretty darn good security system

[evanreilly]

I have asked the Dude how many hours, best guess, he spends on his instruments, specifically the mandolins. His best-guess estimate is about 250 hours.
And if he finished #35 in January, he just finished (May) #38. He takes his time and puts the time into his instruments.

[Uncle Pen]

I had an instrument custom made once, then shortly after decided I didn't like it. I called the maker and told him I was selling. He gave me the name of a guy on his 2 year waiting list and I sold it the next day.
I wonder how much Mr. Dudenbostel sold #35 for...

[bradeinhorn]

Value clearly has many facets and I think it's important to address and recognize all of these. I do not mean to undercut the quality of the dude mandolin, builder, or the amount of hours put in, etc., but I find it hard to believe that with all the phenomenally talented equally hard-working builders that we all come across and patronize each day around here, that one is putting out instruments that are 3-10 times better than some of the other highly reconized builders. Much of it just has to be name recognition, particular artist endorsement, etc... i mean come on. I mean, I get it to a certain point, but from a player/utilitarian standpoint, I don't know how I could rationalize the purchase when I could find one mandolin for each day of the week I'd be honored to own for the same price.

And as to violins, a) with so much pressure to own the antique instruments (from player and collector standpoint, i'm not so sure that most modern builder's violins don't take a hit on the secondary market as mandolins do (as was suggested above), and b) violins in general are a safer investment as they are likely the recognized king of classical instruments. The mandolin is a few notches down in respectability (no one is mistaking violins for banjos). The day even chris thile (sorry to bring him up) commands the ticket price of joshua bell will probably not happen any time soon.

[Santiago]

In pricing, and no where else, perception is the cutting edge of reality. If no one was paying that kind of money for a Dude, no would be asking for it.

[Jonathan Peck]

Clearly, if you are making a mandolin and selling it for 4-8K, the point at which you say "it's good enough" is going to be different than if you are making a mandolin and selling for 18-25K. I think that as an independent full time luthier who is trying to make a living, you have to draw the line somewhere. There are luthiers who maximize output, and there are luthiers who maximize an individual instrument.

Perception in the market plays a big part I think. When someone buys a fine violin, they expect it to hold it's value. I doubt anybody would be selling many violins for 50K if the re-sale was going to be 30K. When you buy a mandolin for 8K you hope that it's going to retain it's value. Part of what makes Dude's more valuable (IMHO) is that there are less of them, meaning that it should hold it's value and likely appreciate in time AND they are built to a higher standard than most other instruments.

-jonathan

[bradeinhorn]

Clearly, if you are making a mandolin and selling it for 4-8K, the point at which you say "it's good enough" is going to be different than if you are making a mandolin and selling for 18-25K. I think that as an independent full time luthier who is trying to make a living, you have to draw the line somewhere. There are luthiers who maximize output, and there are luthiers who maximize an individual instrument.
i don't get that - care to elaborate? good enough in what regard?

[Hans]

Chris Thile?
Don't believe I'd put him in the same sentence with Joshua Bell... # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[Steven Stone]

The question for me is simple - given the asking price, is this Dude, or any Dude for that matter, worth $10K more than Gilchrist or Nugget?

I know my own answer to that question...

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

[evanreilly]

Without opening the 'who is best?' argument, I would assess Chris Thile to be to the mandolin what Mr. Bell is to the violin.
Remember the recent experiment wherein Joshua Bell played as a street busker in a Washington D.C. metro station? Mostly totally ignored, he was!

[f5loar]

I'll have to disagree about your "asking" price. A seller on ebay was asking $675,000 for a Fern Loar and he didn't get it. Gruhn has a Fern Loar for a mere $200,000 and I bet he gets it. It happens to anything money can buy these days. A Tom McKinley copy capo is $120. A Paige capo is $15. They both do the same thing. At least we have a choice. Some countries only allow one choice....theirs!

[Jonathan Peck]

"i don't get that - care to elaborate? good enough in what regard?"


Time = Money = Diminishing Returns

I think your going to reach a point whre you have to ask yourself "is it perfect, no. Is it good enough?" If the answer is no, it's not good enough, then you have to spend more time, thus you have diminishing returns on your time. If time = money, then you either have to charge more, or spend less time, or you have to accept a lower wage until you can raise your pricing and still have a market.

You obviously don't need a 25K mandolin to play bluegrass, but that's not what we're talking about here. What were're talking about is that I don't think that 33K is obscene for one of Lynn's mandolins.

[Spruce]

Another tipping point in the works...?

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

[mandopete]

I'll bet it sells pretty quick.

[KennyR]

Are those details between 6k mandolin and a 33k mandolin with the extra money? I’d say no, but I can't afford a 6k mandolin let alone 33k. I think you are paying for the prestige of the builder, and Dudenbostel does have plenty of prestige. The small details are nice, but those are some expensive small details.

[Jonathan Peck]

I think the BIG difference is that at this point in time there are only 38 Dudes in existance. That makes them very hard to come by....and if I'm not mistaken, Lynn's waiting list is closed. This is going to make them very attractive to collectors, and if you are not already on the waiting list, the only way to get one is from a previous owner who is looking to cash out. This is why I think that this one will probably wind up in a glass case and why I also think that 33K is not obscene.

-jonathan

[G. Fisher]

No Thile.
No Dude hysteria.

They are good mandos but there are several mandos as good for less than a fifth the price.

I know there will be those who will say they knew Dudes were going to be this big before Thile. But, I have a hard time believing that.

Another problem I see is that they will probably go to collectors and not get played and that is a shame.

[Any Day Now]

Joshua Bell is an incredible player, but he himself admits that he is not as strong on the compositional side of things. Chris Thile has the talent as both an instrumentalist and a composer. Most people who don't think Chris is really "that" good have only heard him with Nickel Creek. And also remember he is only 25, and he will only get better.

[Jonathan Peck]

No Thile.
No Dude hysteria.
But there is a Thile and there is Dude hysteria, just like there was a Monroe and there is Loar hysteria.

[first string]

I think the BIG difference is that at this point in time there are only 38 Dudes in existance. That makes them very hard to come by....and if I'm not mistaken, Lynn's waiting list is closed. This is going to make them very attractive to collectors, and if you are not already on the waiting list, the only way to get one is from a previous owner who is looking to cash out. This is why I think that this one will probably wind up in a glass case and why I also think that 33K is not obscene.

-jonathan
I wonder what effect that scarcity will have in the long term. Certainly at the moment it seems to be driving the prices ever northward. That said we have discussed in the past the long term prospects (in terms of monetary value) of luthier made instruments, and some have argued--citing Stradivari's extremely high output--that only a prolific builder will be able to maintain that kind of presence over the centuries.

[grandmainger]

No Thile.
No Dude hysteria.
But there is a Thile and there is Dude hysteria, just like there was a Monroe and there is Loar hysteria.
Good point. Well put too.

[JeffS]

When I see these for sale I can't help but wonder what Lynn thinks, especially if he originally sold it for a much lower price. I think I read here before that he honors the prices given to people on his waiting list which I think is very admirable. However if it were me, I think it would drive me nuts. And if it didn't, my wife would make sure to make it drive me nuts. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[jimbob]

I would like to compare my two customs to a Dude or Nugget or a Gilchrist. I don't question the value or the price, but out of curiosity, would like to see what makes a Dude worth 6 times what I paid. Like a previous post said, we don't want to start a "who the best builder" thread, but it would certainly be interesting to actually see, hear and feel the subtle differences that command the big prices.

[G. Fisher]

No Thile.
No Dude hysteria.
But there is a Thile and there is Dude hysteria, just like there was a Monroe and there is Loar hysteria.
That proves my point.

A lot of people are followers and they think if Bill or Chris play one I better play one.

[JAK]

MAS/Mass hypnosis!

[twaaang]

Even if I could easily afford it, I'd be embarrassed to show up with it anywhere it would be recognized. -- Paul

[NoNickel]

We all want a great mandolin. I have one. Many of you do as well. Regardless if you love Chris Thile, or don't (I do), or if you think him a genius or not (IMHO yes he is), even he, I think would admit that it is the player and not the instrument that makes 99% of the music.

[Hans]

Most builders have experienced the reselling of one of their customer's instruments for a higher price than what it originally sold for. The first time may hurt, but let's face it, it's a fact of life. I guess you can grouse about it or move on to the next customer. Complaining about it gets you nowhere.
Clarifying my earlier comment about Thile and Bell, I have listened to violin concertos for some 55 years. I have heard and seen some of the best concert violinists in my time. These include: Kreisler, Heifetz, Oistrakh, Milstein, Ricci, Stern, and Gitlis, to name a few. Arguably, I would not hesitate to add Bell to this list of virtuosos. The technical mastery needed to play these incredibly difficult pieces of classical music runs way, way beyond the norm.
Comparing Thile and Bell is apples and oranges...there is no comparison. You are comparing mandolin to violin.#I understand that Thile has a high level of expertise and creativity, but he is not a classical violin virtuoso. That Bell could not draw a crowd in a bus station says nothing. Sorry if I have stepped on some toes.

[Glassweb]

I don't know why you all think that these great mandolins, new or old... Gibson or Gil or Dude or whatever don't get played and are just placed in "glass cases". You're absolutely wrong if you believe that! All the people I know that have Loars, Gils, Dudes, Nuggets, Montes... etc... ACTUALLY PLAY THEM - THE HORROR! They actually travel with them - THE ABSURDITY! They even play them at bluegrass festivals out in the open in the humid summer air - ARREST THESE SCOUNDRELS! Get a grip people... all I can say is if you've got a Loar or a Dude or a Gil stored away in a vault you really ought to start playing it, cause if you die tomorrow... well, YOU BLEW IT!

[Spruce]

"Certainly at the moment it seems to be driving the prices ever northward."

"At the moment", yeah....

But things have been holding steady for quite some time now price-wise among the top-tier builders...

Until now....

[JeffS]

All the people I know that have Loars, Gils, Dudes, Nuggets, Montes... etc... ACTUALLY PLAY THEM - THE HORROR! They actually travel with them - THE ABSURDITY! They even play them at bluegrass festivals out in the open in the humid summer air - ARREST THESE SCOUNDRELS!
Amen to that! When I saw that bluegrass DVD recorded at Gray Fox where it rained most of the time I wondered what people thought of Ronnie up there with his Gilchrist, Chris with his Dude, and Tim with his Nugget. Had these guys borrowed Michael Jackson's hyperbaric oxygen chamber for the festival or what?

[f5loar]

If you pay that kind of money and put it away and don't play it then you don't get it. If don't understand why a picker would pay that much for a mandolin then you don't get it. And if you ain't got it you don't get it anyway so does it matter? These are fine musical instruments not just musical instruments. If you don't know the difference, you don't get it! And I see Loars out everywhere I go to pick from barn raisings to hog callin's.
The majority of Loar owners are just pickers not collectors, same for the Dudes,Gils,Nugs,Monts, and DMMs.

[Steve L]

It's funny, when I saw the price on the Dudenbostel it didn't really surprise me all that much. But the guy asking $1200 for a '96 Flatiron flat top struck me as...well...optimistic.

[bradeinhorn]

hans,

first off - the thile/bell comment was made to illustrate two like aged masters of their respective instruments. I feel as though Chris has achieved much more than a high level of expertise and creativity across the musical spectrum. You are entitled to your opinion. The point I was making was that it is unlikely that the mandolin will ever achieve the success of the violin on the concert stage. If anyone will change that though, I could see it being chris...

As to the rest of this thread - I think some great points are made. I especially like the brief discussion over how prolific a builder has to be. I think that applies more to Stradivari and his contemporaries than today's builders as collectability clearly begins during the builder's lifetime and instruments are just better cared for these days. Less fall into disrepair or worse. On the other side of the coin, pristine instruments often do not have the good fortune of being played in and the most highly regarded strads tonally seems to be those that have been whupped on. Now I'm just kind of rambling...anyway...continue to have fun. pass the corn.

[bradeinhorn]

Amen to that! #When I saw that bluegrass DVD recorded at Gray Fox where it rained most of the time I wondered what people thought of Ronnie up there with his Gilchrist, Chris with his Dude, and Tim with his Nugget. #Had these guys borrowed Michael Jackson's hyperbaric oxygen chamber for the festival or what?
I think tim o' got his nugget for helping mike move one day so he probably doesn't value it too highly http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[atetone]

I don't remember what a Dude was selling for a year ago, but I do know that it was out of my league.
I wasn't really lusting for one either.
There are lots of other really good mandolins for a lot less money that are at the top end of my price point and that I am sort of lusting for and are somewhat within my reach.
For the person who has $33K and badly wants a Dude, they now have the opportunity to pay the money and possess the Dude.
Good for them, but I can't help but think that they might regret it later. To me it seems that it is just too much money.
Maybe I am wrong, and no offence to Mr. Dudenbostel, but I don't even want a $33K Dude.

[G. Fisher]

If you pay that kind of money and put it away and don't play it then you don't get it. If don't understand why a picker would pay that much for a mandolin then you don't get it. And if you ain't got it you don't get it anyway so does it matter? These are fine musical instruments not just musical instruments. If you don't know the difference, you don't get it! And I see Loars out everywhere I go to pick from barn raisings to hog callin's.
The majority of Loar owners are just pickers not collectors, same for the Dudes,Gils,Nugs,Monts, and DMMs.
I knew this was coming.

The ever popular you don't get post.

[mythicfish]

Concerning the price and the discussion: MEGO.

Curt

[Will Kimble]

For what its worth, I think there are only four Dudenbostel Fs with englemann tops in existence at this point. #Thile has two, there's an earlier one with a virzi, and this one.

Will Kimble

[Spruce]

Concerning the price and the discussion: MEGO.

Curt


Well, your eyes might glazeth over, but there are quite a few folks around here who's livelihood is linked up to this weird-### mandolin market.... # #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

So, it's kind of a facinating train-wreck for the rest of us to watch...

[Glassweb]

To atetone... I don't think the person who buys this Dude (at whatever price it actually sells for) will regret it, although who knows? What I do know is that given their scarcity and high quality, the price for those that come up for sale seems to continually be climbing. You can buy a Porche today and in ten years you'll be lucky if you can sell it for half of what you paid for it (assuming we're all still pumping gas then!) I'm almost certain that these fine mandolins will be worth even more in the years to come. In the meantime, play on brothers and sisters!

[sgarrity]

Is it a lot of money? Sure it is. Is it worth it? Maybe. But the truth of the matter is he's made about 39 mandolins and the demand far outweighs the supply. Gil has made over 600, Nugget around 300 by now (I'm guessing), and Monteleone?? I have no idea. Those three are holding steady 'cuz you can find a used one without too much effort. Dudes on the other hand are rare as hen's teeth. His used D-18 style guitars are selling for north of $8000! He's hit his stride and is producing amazing instruments. Go see what a top tier violin maker gets. Or even better....a top tier finger style guitar maker. There are a handful getting over $25,000 for a flattop guitar!

[pickinNgrinnin]

"Mandolins...they all sound the same." http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sleepy.gif

My wife will share this view on occasion http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[f5loar]

Quality will remain long after price is forgotten! This Dude could wind up in the hands of the next Thile and become the next "Hoss". After selling a million CDs and making millions touring with it will this price matter?

[evanreilly]

I have had the good fortune to have played about 5 Dudes.
I had even better fortune recently to hear a Dude played next to a very good Loar F-5. The players were swapping them off. There were very similar tones; the feel was very similar and the looks, except for one detail, were extremely close.
The Dude was every bit a mandolin as 'good' as the model that the builder follows. And, maybe even a bit more presence in the tone!

[mandobando]

I am very happy for Mr. Dudenbostel. I know he is not the seller but it must be very rewarding to know that of all the builders out there, he is setting the bar. I know that some feel that the only reason Dudenbostel mandolins are what they are is because of Chris Thile, and this may be so. The fact is though that Thile has done more for the mandolin than anyone besides Mr. Monroe and he chooses to play a Dudenbostel. If he is not a good judge of mandolins, I don't know who is. All that said, congrats to Lynn Dudenbostel for building such a great mandolin, reputation, and business!

no financial interest here. I'll never be able to afford a Dude. Just giving credit where credit is due.

[G. Fisher]

I'm willing to bet that if Chris Thiles' mando of choice was a Kentucky KM1000. He still would have become as popular and sold as many Cds.

[ortha]

Great conversation.
I guess I've always wondered who is buying these expensive mandolins. Are these wealthy people with novice skills, or musicians who can earn money with them? I've played mandolin exclusively for 7 years and other stringed instruments for about 20. I've often considered upgrading from my A-9 in hopes of gaining a better sound or to increase my presence. Truth be told, the only thing limiting how good I sound right now are my skills. I've found it's easy to sound pretty good on mandolin, but very difficult to sound superb. The instrument in question is just one piece of the puzzle from my experience. So I guess if you look at it as an investment it's one thing, but if you are mislead into thinking it will make you a virtuoso... This could be a very expensive and slippery slope. Cheers.

[Glassweb]

I wonder how many contributors to this thread know that Lynn is CONSTANTLY in demand by many Loar owners to do repair, refret or setup work on their precious Loar F5's. Needless to say, the Dude relishes the opportunity (as does Gilchrist) to study, play (sure... the Dude can PLAY!) and take measurements in order to learn, appreciate and better understand why so many for so long have held these Loar F5's in the highest regard. I have nothing but admiration for ALL the builders who are trying to create great F5 style mandolins. When I first started playing back in 1970 choices (other than old Gibsons) were almost non-existant! Boy have times changed in the mandolin world... and for the better...

[Any Day Now]

"The master can do more with one string on the cheapest instrument, then the novice can do with the finest"

[mythicfish]

"Quality will remain long after price is forgotten! This Dude could wind up in the hands of the next Thile and become the next "Hoss". After selling a million CDs and making millions touring with it will this price matter?"

I admit that I know next to nothing about these well-known musicians or their choice of instruments. What was Mr Thiele
playing when he was "the next Grisman"?

Curt

[sgarrity]

He played a Gibson F5L for quite a while if I remember correctly

[Bradley]

Judging by the pictures I have seen it was a Gibson during his early projects...Like someone said earlier he could have played anything and been the talent that he is.

I still like the question of where are these mandolins being played...If you owned one would you really want to take it to a normal gig let alone a jam session. I certainly wouldnt be comfortable with doing that, but thats my opinion. As far as the Moolah goes, heck if you have it spend it and enjoy it. But my gosh thats alot of Money, and those cant be 3.5 times as good as a Ellis,Collings V, or a Heiden, or 2.5 times as good as a Master Model, or 4.5 times as good as a Kimble.

[dasspunk]

My .664805212 Thai baht...

1. I've had the pleasure of playing some of Mr. Dudenbostel's mandolins... they are absolutely glorious.
2. Folks' threshold for monetary pain varies greatly
3. To me, paying 40k+ for a car is crazy (no offense crazy people). I mean every time I see a BMW, I think "That obviously compensating marketing jerk could have had a 'Dude'"! (no offense obviously compensating marketing jerks)
4. Pudding is delicious

[jjboone101]

Good points, Dasspunk, particulary #4. (from a non-compensating marketing jerk without a Dude).

[JEStanek]

Interesting discussion. I'll be satisfied with a Dude ballcap. Does the selling price on the Dudenbostel diminsh the value of anyone else's instrument? It hasn't made my instruments any more or less valuable.

Jamie

[sgarrity]

If I owned one, I'd take it to every jam session I went to and let any reasonable person that wanted to play it, play it. If Joshua Bell and Yo-Yo Ma can tour and play their $3.5 million Strads, I don't see the problem with playing a good mandolin out in public.

[mythicfish]

"To me, paying 40k+ for a car is crazy (no offense crazy people)."

My take on this is a bit closer to the bone:
Whenever I hear an expensive mandolin described as having "great chop/bark and trebles that peel paint" all that comes
to mind is an ax, a junkyard dog, and a heat gun. That's a lot of money to play for three chords and a cloud of dust.

Curt

[Mando Medic]

A few years ago, I acquired a Dudenbostel, #9 to be exact. I paid $11,500 for it and sold it about two months later for $14,500. When I put it up for sale on the Cafe, the war drums began beating. Lynn was very supportive of the price as it allowed him to raise the price on his next batches of instruments. I don't know what his base price for a F-5 is currently, but you can be sure that it probably falls within the current selling price of this current one if it sells for the asking price. By the same token, I'm sure that each time this happens, it also raises the bar for prices on other builders who may fall into the same league as Lynn. It's about supply and demand and percieved value. By the way, That was a stunning mandolin to play and I wish I could have hung on to it, but it was not to be. I was asked recently if I thought it was now worth $28,000, and my answer was and still is yes. I too feel that if Chris had chosen a Kentucky to play, (but why would he?) Lynn's mandolins would still be worth the money. Kenc

[AlanN]

I too feel that if Chris had chosen a Kentucky to play, (but why would he?)
Hope John Moore ain't reading this http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Kirk Albrecht]

It would be interesting to see just what Lynn feels about this price of a used, but basically new instrument. Could be the seller merely bought it in order to re-sell it at a huge profit - that would be my guess given when it was finished, and what he probably paid knowing Lynn's policy of honoring prices at time of order.

This thing happened to Jim Olson with his guitars a few years ago. Led to him closing his order list (at about 200 instruments), and significantly raising his new price to be close to what the frenzied used market was commanding. He was not happy at all with how things were going as I recall, feeling that some were just buying to make a profit, and he thought he was really losing money because a guitar he sold new (honoring prices quoted at time of order) was then turned around and re-sold for 2-3 times his price.

In the end, it is what the market can and will bear in our economy, but is there a moral / ethical grid about this kind of stuff, or is it just, do it if you can?

[bradeinhorn]

In the end, it is what the market can and will bear in our economy, but is there a moral / ethical grid about this kind of stuff, or is it just, do it if you can?
it is do it if you can - lest we get into another whiny thread about "Flatirons" being made by a company who bought them out, in China. Boo hoo.

these instruments are serious money and those wise enough or lucky enough to get onto the list of a builder whose prices begin to sky rocket on the secondary market are more than entitled to flip their purchase as they would any other investment. I don't see any issue of moral or ethical concern. If a builder is unhappy with what is happening, he can go about his business without the security of waitlists and just build and sell what he churns out for whatever the market will accept. Just because we love and have affection for these objects doesn't mean they or their makers are owed some special moral duty.

[mandopete]

Man, I want some o' dat $35K pudding!

[Timbofood]

Just keep in miind that old jewelers saying:
"It isn't precious until we make it so." That being said, I hope Mr. D. has many years to build and repair to his heart's content. We, as the "buying public" can simply choose not to pay what we feel is an over-inflated price and thereby not add to the feeding frenzy.
However, Had I the wherewithall and desire I doubt that I would feel a gun to my head while I handed the money over. It is hard to put monetary value on a "Sound" investment don't you think?

[JEStanek]

I'm the kinda guy that says Dudenbostels sound delicious...

Inspired by LL Cool J.

Jamie

[Flowerpot]

I would not want to own a Dude in brand new condition.

Why? Because I would want to play it, and take it everywhere, play the heck out of it, and let lots of other people try it. But I'd also need to keep it in 100% cosmetic condition for resale. Those two things are mutually exclusive.

(Cosmetics account for quite a bit in the high-end market.)

If I spent the megabucks on it, I couldn't afford to take it out into the elements. In my living room, things are pretty controlled, but in a parking lot or unlit field, it only takes one second of "oops" to come away with a $10,000 scratch, scuff, or ding.

I'd need to know that I could resell the thing if an emergency came up, and that would mean handling it with kid gloves... so no thanks. There's a practical reason for new distressed models.

[Jerry Byers]

I'd need to know that I could resell the thing if an emergency came up, and that would mean handling it with kid gloves... so no thanks. There's a practical reason for new distressed models.
Nothing personal, but if you're buying with resell in mind, then you're a collector. The return on investment should be the satisfaction gained through playing the instrument.

I don't think I would buy a high-end mandolin if I knew that I couldn't play it because I might 'wear' down the resell value. It would turn into "I have a great sounding instrument - but don't touch it, lest you damage it or reduce its value."

I think we're reaching the upper limits of sane prices. Loar mandolins justify the price asked because of limited supply and name association. All others are meant to be played.

[Jonathan Peck]

Amen to that! #When I saw that bluegrass DVD recorded at Gray Fox where it rained most of the time I wondered what people thought of Ronnie up there with his Gilchrist, Chris with his Dude, and Tim with his Nugget. #Had these guys borrowed Michael Jackson's hyperbaric oxygen chamber for the festival or what?
In the summer, I attend as many performances as I can of the Bridgehampton Chamber music festival. It was two years back, I think, that the performance I was attending started nearly two hours late. The first violinist was without his violin which was sitting in traffic on it's way back from repair. The day before, there was a big rain storm, and in the spirit of the show must go on, they tried to brave the elements and get the performance in for everyone who was brave enough to stick it out.

Unfortunately the violin, a stradivarious which is one of the ones that are loaned out to gifted young artists, got wet and was rushed back to NYC for repair(hyde glue). The instrument finally did arrive and the show went on.

The point is that these are professional musicians playing ticketed shows. I doubt that any of you, myself included, are going play our instruments in the rain unless we is getting paid to perform, in which case, the show must go on.

[Greg H.]

When the Post got Joshua Bell to play at L’Enfant Plaza subway stop in DC he insisted on playing his strad. I think for a lot of musicians it's a matter of if you're going to play you want to sound your best. . .no matter where you're playing or who your audience is. In a strictly monetary comparison taking a $35,000 Dude to a bluegrass festival or a jam session becomes rather inconsequential.

But then at this point I wouldn't take my instruments out were they not insured. . . . .and all of them put together wouldn't come close to $35,000.

[squirrelabama]

"I would trade my Loar, and play on a (insert "cheapo" mando brand here) for the ability to play like Sam Bush" .....well known vintage instrument dealer, January 2006.

I for one am beginning to apply more crediblity to the theory that there is a bit of a "false economy" going on in the "recent build" mando re-sale world. People will argue that supply and demand is generating this, however I challenge anyone to place a want-ad on the classifieds for a Nugget, Gil, or Dude, etc., and see how many(ie: the supply)are really readily available....you'd be shocked.

[Jonathan Peck]

I don't know why you all think that these great mandolins, new or old... Gibson or Gil or Dude or whatever don't get played and are just placed in "glass cases". You're absolutely wrong if you believe that! All the people I know that have Loars, Gils, Dudes, Nuggets, Montes... etc... ACTUALLY PLAY THEM - THE HORROR! They actually travel with them - THE ABSURDITY! They even play them at bluegrass festivals out in the open in the humid summer air - ARREST THESE SCOUNDRELS! Get a grip people... all I can say is if you've got a Loar or a Dude or a Gil stored away in a vault you really ought to start playing it, cause if you die tomorrow... well, YOU BLEW IT!
Maybe so, but go and take a look at the thread "Derrington Signed Mandolins". Almost every mandolin has the pick guard on, the full fingerboard extension, no sweat stains, and no scratches and dings.

When I bought my Derrington signed MM, the first thing I did was remove the pick guard (which is stored away and easily re-installed). Mine has a speed neck with an oil finish, and I'm picking it up in a few hours from having the extension scooped. In the short time that I've had it, I've already put some sweat stains on it and a few dings and scratches.

The first thing I did was put heavier gauge J-75 strings on it which helped alot with pick click, but I had to decide, was I going to play it or look at it. All you "I'm not a collector types" might be surprised to find that you is and just don't want to admit it. Like was said a little earlier, you either is or you ain't going to play it.

[Spruce]

"People will argue that supply and demand is generating this, however I challenge anyone to place a want-ad on the classifieds for a Nugget, Gil, or Dude, etc., and see how many(ie: the supply)are really readily available....you'd be shocked. "

Well, that's kind of the interesting thing about this thread--a thread that has appeared in various forms many times over the past 15 years...

More than a discussion of Dudenbostel pricing, it's a discussion of all high-end maker's pricing as perceived by the mando buying public...

John Monteleone didn't set his prices at the levels they are at now. #He followed the pricing that the public bestowed upon him.
Same with Gichrist and Mike K.
(And if I owned a mandolin made by any of these folks, I'd be watching this sale very carefully).

So-ooo, with that in mind, has #35 sold yet?? # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Paul Kotapish]

No question that $35,000 is a lot of money for a mandolin, but not all that much for a top-of-the-line tool for a professional or very serious amateur musician to invest.

It's unlikely that the dollar value will drop dramatically on a Dudenbostel, Gilchrist or Nugget, and it's hard to think of another investment that will provide so much pleasure in its use.

As a point of comparison, the streets around here are filled with cars costing just as much--or much more--than that Dudenbostel. I wonder how many of them will retain their current worth or appreciate in value over the next few decades? And all of those cars will require thousands of dollars of maintenance over the years and are subject to dings, scratches, and total destruction every time they are used. Does anyone need a $40,000 car when plenty of high-functioning used cars are out there for $3,000?

And other professionals invest much, much more in their tools of the trade, and most of those investments will depreciate dramatically over time.

Does every mandolin enthusiast need to spend that much money to get an instrument that will provide satisfaction and delight? Of course not. But let's net quibble over the relative merits of a handful of highly regarded and highly desireable mandolins. The market will set the price, and the rest of us will just have to marvel.

[Spruce]

"It's unlikely that the dollar value will drop dramatically on a Dudenbostel, Gilchrist or Nugget..."

Oh, I could see the value of any of these instruments dropping dramatically somewhere down the line for any number of reasons....

It's happened before in other genres of instruments.
But with old Teles, Strats, and Les Pauls hanging where they are at now money-wise, it's kinda hard to remember when..... # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[mandolooter]

I could see it too...remember , it wasn't that long ago that these were half that or less. Whats a new Dude run ya from him? Anyone know? I doubt the one in the classifieds is all "broke in and opened up" as they say. Supply vs Demand... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[f5loar]

When the Crunch said: "Maybe so, but go and take a look at the thread "Derrington Signed Mandolins". Almost every mandolin has the pick guard on, the full fingerboard extension, no sweat stains, and no scratches and dings."
I'll have to take up for these poor pickers in that I've played the same Loar for 25 years almost daily with many thousands of hours of stage time and it's still got the original pickguard, extension board(I don't pick click there)and no sweat stains or pick scratch anywhere(I guess I'm a cool picker). Any dings put on by previous owners. I had one professional picker look at it whom had a DMM himself say why didn't I get one that was more distressed than that? In other words don't judge a book by it's cover and don't underestimate the might of mandolin by it's wear and tear. And it's harder to spot a Loar these days!

[Links]

Amen Tom. #Trying to paint all mandolin players, player/ collectors, collectors, or any such "group" with a broad bruch is dangerous. #You can play mandolins hard and often and not abuse them or you can play infrequently and "not so hard" and abuse them. #I have never looked with admiration at someone who had an abused mandolin. #I would even think that Sam Bush and Norman Blake would not think that a little "random hippie sanding" would be such a good idea now days!s

[Joe Parker]

#35 has vanished-what will we talk about now? JPP

[evanreilly]

Talk about how long it took to sell?
Talk about the Gilchrist for sale now?
Talk about the price of hawg bellies?

[Glassweb]

Oh well, time to get back to playing... 'nuff fun on this topic... };o)

[SternART]

<<The price of hawg bellies>>

Sounds like a good name for an instrumental.

[lklose]

We Could always start talking about this one. I haven't seen any buzz at all, and it's been up for at least a week.
http://www.gryphonstrings.com/instpix/27979/27979.html

Larry

[Jonathan Peck]

I guess this stuff just happens to me. I try and take care, keep my mando in the case (a Calton) when I'm not playing, or when I'm at a jam and want to take a break. At jams, it's so crowded that inevitably, I ocasionally have a collision with another instrument (usually the other person not paying enough attention). Don't you just love it when someone knocks their (insert name of $250- instrument here), into yours and says, oh! I'm so sorry. But it comes with the territory, especially when playing around one mike on a small stage.

I think the worst dings have come when putting it back in the Calton and I somehow knock the back on the middle case clasp. Then there was the time it was in the case and I dropped the intelli tuner on it. Stuff happens even though I try and prevent it. It's hard to paint with a broad brush, especially when the thought of being a collector has a negative implication to so many. Every community has collectors and users. Now can't we all just get along http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[JAK]

There was a little "buzz" about the Loar at Gryphon Stringed Instruments at the "Vintage Instruments" section here at the Cafe. As far as I know, it hasn't sold yet.

[grassrootphilosopher]

Isn´t it quite enchanting when a topic causes the stew to boil every now and then even if it is for a variety of reasons such as here.

The headline of the thread reads: "Dude #35, New in the classified section" The connotations for each and everyone of us are as varied as we have fellow cafe goers.

After reading the different comments I can´t help but throw in my own thoughts.

1. Thank God that the Dude has a job that he obviously seems to like, putting out well respected instruments that increase in value and so increase the selfesteem of the builder. If he cleverly carries out his business he will be able to prosper along with the resale price of his instruments. I wish good for Lynn Dudenbostel (as I do for my fellow human)

2. Would I like to own one of his instruments? I dunno... Haven´t picked one yet. I heard rumors about Mike Compton not being overly fond about Loar F 5s. What if you coughed up more than 30 grand just to find out that you are of Mr. Comptons opinion. Sad indeed. But on the other hand I might be very fond of a Loar F 5. Or I might be partial to that new builder that I just met, that builds his instruments close to the fabled Monroe Loar, achieving unreal results. Now what was his name again... shucks I lost his business card.

3. Would or should anybody pay the amount of more than 30 grand for an instrument? Well folks, I am not walking in your boots moneywise, so who am I to advise you. You please do as you please. If I were a fulltime musician I certainly could consider the purchase of a Dude, Gil, Nugget, Loar... for several reasons, them being the tax issue, the investment (retirement fund) and of course the fact that I would like to pick the best instrument available for the best music that I´d be able to put out. In that - unreal - case, why not buy such an instrument.

4. Would I be sad if for the reason of my own inability or somebody elses carelesness the instrument suffered damage? Why sure, but so would I if it were just a "beater" instrument. I think that playing them hard and taking good care of them makes them sound the bast and they last at least longer than I will live (and I would like to live long and happy).

5. Lynn Dudenbostel having built about 38 instruments up until today (according to this threads general consent), turning out 1 instrument about every 2,5 months (250 hours according to one undisputed post on this thread, that is 5 hours a day considering that he apparently does setup and repair work also) has roughly been building fulltime for about 8 years. This link http://www.mandozine.com/resources/CGOW/dudenbostel.php proved that my little detective work was not so far off. As the COMANDO guest of the week in 2003 Lynn Dudenbostel stated that he builds fulltime since 1997. So lets just see him put out high quality instruments for many years to come. I´ll keep him on my radar. And if you´re in my part of the world just shoot me a mail and let me pick your Dude F 5.

[f5loar]

Rumors about Compton might just be that. Funny how he has hung out and played dozens of Loars at 2 LoarFest I've been to. Not everyone can own a Loar or Fern and I'm sure Mike has his radar on at least one that is not for sale. Same for the Dudes. They seldom come up for sale. I even question in another thread why a 2 year old DMM that everyone agrees is a super one is still for sale at the dealer at $23,000. When a Loar does not sell at it's current market value then more then likely the collectors have turned it down for some small reason and it ain't the money. And that same Loar is pretty much out of reach for the average picker who is happy to have a mortgage on his home and still put food on the table and gas in the 2 cars. It will sell but probably at a lessor price. Either the consignor lowers his price since he probably got it from his granddad's attic or the dealer takes half of his 20% commission. Less Dudes come up for sale then Loars but only because the ratio made is less so it's about the same percentage wise. As far as this particular Dude I would question the why would you sell after only 4 months when it took you 5 years to wait on it. You need to be on WallStreet not the mandolin cafe!

[mandopete]

#35 has vanished-what will we talk about now? JPP
Did it sell or was it removed?

I think Spruce is spot on. #Keep your eye on the Gils and Nuggets. #Those prices may be going up too. #Thing about the Dude is there are so few of them. #I think that's a key element to the price.

[mandolooter]

I hope so...my dream mando is a Nugget F with matching sunburst pickguard...prettiest mandolin I ever seen. The 2, yep only 2 I've had my hands on both were extremely impressive in every respect...1A, 1F.

[pickinNgrinnin]

[QUOTE]Maybe so, but go and take a look at the thread "Derrington Signed Mandolins". Almost every mandolin has the pick guard on, the full fingerboard extension, no sweat stains, and no scratches and dings.

I started that thread and the pictures of my A5-L are not close up shots. It does have players wear and will need a fret dressing/refret soon. I'm definitely careful with it and I don't usually play outside of my home. I also like a pick guard on my Mandos. This Mando is meant to be played and I'm sure Charlie would want it that way.

[Jonathan Peck]

This Mando is meant to be played and I'm sure Charlie would want it that way.
I think the ghost on Monroe lives in my Derington signed MM. Check out this picture of the back. I swear I can see an eye, nose, mouth, ear and brim of a hat

[f5joe]

grassrootphilosopher: Keep in mind that Lynn makes world-class acoustic guitars also. I believe he's made, in the range of, 100 guitars and mandos combined. That's my best estimate.

As the first "customer" to receive a Dude F5, I'm still in love and treasure it every time I open the case. When he agreed to build an F5 for me, neither of us knew that these mandos would be so highly revered. Guess what? I wanted a good F5. I got a GREAT F5. It wasn't about investing then. For those buying now, you'll get a GREAT mandolin and a GREAT investment. What a deal.

Lynn deserves ALL the accolades and financial reward possible. So do all the other great builders out there.

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

[mandopete]

I think the ghost on Monroe lives in my Derington signed MM. Check out this picture of the back. I swear I can see an eye, nose, mouth, ear and brim of a hat
That's eerie! It took me awhile, but I see it too. I think he's saying "Man, I wish I bought a Dude!"

[Tom Sanderson]

As a player, I don't know weather it's a blessing or a curse to own a high priced mando. I've had the good fortune to be a Nugget owner for the past 15 years or so. I have owned 3 so far. I sold the first one, a 2 point to pay for an F5 standard. I sold the F5 standard at a nice profit to pay for a Nugget F5 deluxe that I plan on taking to the grave with me, so the monetary value is kinda a mute point, except I have to keep it insured to protect myself from
spending a small fortune to replace it if it is lost/stolen, etc.( once you get spoiled on a high end instrument,nothing else will do), and although I take it with me wherever I go, just like I would if I owned a mando worth a fraction of it's value, I always have to be aware of the fact that it is worth as much as a new car. When I'm at a festival, etc, I always kind of kringe when someone says " hey, is that a Nugget?". Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, I feel very blessed to own such a fine mandolin, I just happened to buy something that increased a lot in value. If the bottom fell out of the mandolin market tomorrow, and it's monetary value droped to 10% of what it is now, it would still be the same great mando that it is now, and I'd still be benifiting from it's true value as one of the finest mandolins on the planet. Mandolins are like anything else that is traded on the open market. There will always be people who are in it for the investment, and I think they are the ones who are responsible for driving the prices up. I think it's a shame because that puts them out of reach to many people who would get the most value out of them, the players. Just my 2 cents, for what it's worth.
Tom

[f5loar]

F5(Mr. Stomp)Joe is right on it. He knows. While taking out a Dude to pick is like carrying around a fine car, taking a Loar out these days is carrying a house on your shoulders. Does price really matter if it's a great mandolin? Luckily with the release of the DMMs by Gibson into the general public Loars are harder to spot from a distance! While I expect to live long enough to see Loars at $500,000 I will also see Dudes/Nuggest/Gils going for $100,000.

[Spruce]

"Lynn deserves ALL the accolades and financial reward possible. #So do all the other great builders out there. "

Well stated....
I think there will be a lot more names added to that elite list in the coming years, judging by the talent that is emerging over the past few years...

"While I expect to live long enough to see Loars at $500,000 I will also see Dudes/Nuggest/Gils going for $100,000."

Well, it should be pretty obvious by now that we here at the Café are the ones that are at least helping to drive mandolin pricing...

I remember way-back-when stating on these pages that Loars someday will hit 250K, and getting reamed for such an outlandish statement by some folks. #(I think they were in the 50-65K range at that point?)

I'm no mando expert, but it was pretty easy to see that if someone could afford 65K for a mandolin, then they could probably cough up 250K. #I guess we're kinda getting there.... #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

So don't underestimate the power of the Café. #
After all, it just helped to jump the prices of fine modern work by a considerable percentage....

"I always kind of kringe when someone says " hey, is that a Nugget?"."

Man, I know what you mean.
I had a Monteleone GA for years, and it was kind of a PITA at jams. #Everybody had to have a go on it (which is cool), but it just got to be a burden lugging it around....

I now play a fine sounding F5 that is unlabeled and unrecognizable to the average mando-affecianado, which is fine with me...

[Links]

Tommy, bless you - but I sure wished you hadn't opened up the "collector running the price up theme". I know you believe that and I respect that opinion, but the truth is that is not the case. Sure, collectors have an effect on any such market, but the biggest factor is fact that Dudes, Gils, Loars, etc. are great instruments, relatively (or extremely) rare, and very desirable to many types of people - not just primarily collectors. As a matter of fact, I do not know a single person personally that has a Loar, Dude, or Gil that isn't a "player". And they "deserved" the instrument because they had the money (or some means) to buy it. If playing ability is the criteria, I would be stuck with a Harmony!

Incidentally, I am sure that the person most amused by all of this (in a good way) is Lynn Dudenbostel - and it couldn't happen to a nicer guy. Although I don't know him personally, I was around him at a function earlier this year and it was easy to tell that he is just a down-to-earth "stand-up" guy. He is certainly the type of person that you can be happy for their success. He has obviously handled his fame and notoriety well. I think I can say the same for our builder friends that post here on the Cafe!

[f5loar]

Most collectors are pickers too! TommyMax is probably going by the SteveStills/Steven Stegall/That long bearded guy with ZZTops theory of well known collector/pickers paying absorbant prices for primo stuff. That Nugget on ebay last week that ended early without ending fairly with no reserve was pulled for a celebrity buyer that payed more than the buyer wanted to stop the auction early. It only takes two to run the price out of sight on one mandolin when at auction. I remember about 6 months ago Stegall payed more than double current market value for a prewar Herringbone that ran it on ebay from the original owner and it was untouched and as a result other prewar D28s have jumped up in value. Can you/we stop the ultra rich from running up prices? Not a chance.

[JEStanek]

Well, I'm just happy I could afford and order a hat today. I'm closer to having a Dude (on my head at least) than a bunch of other people... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif I may be willing to sell it to one of you guys for $100 in three months if it "isn't my cuppa"... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Jamie

[f5loar]

Very nice quality crafted by hand(in China)hats. You won't part with it. The faded greenish color goes well with most any shade of mandolin and jeans. If you're lucky you'll get one with genuine "Dude Dust" on it that came directly from the next F5 during the sanding process.

[mandolooter]

Does price really matter if it's a great mandolin?

9 words to live by...

[Tom Sanderson]

I didn't say "collector", I said people who are in it for the investment, meaning people who buy them jack the price up and resell them.

[luckylarue]

I hope he brings a couple to the Symposium. I'd love to play one.

[allenhopkins]

I didn't say "collector", I said people who are in it for the investment, meaning people who buy them jack the price up and resell them.
Just heard a story about a Wall Street hedge fund that's going to invest exclusively in violins -- I assume Stradivarius, Guarneri etc. They'll own the instruments, let musicians play them, and make money off buying and selling in a generally appreciating market.

I look forward (with apprehension mixed with nausea) to the Mandolin Hedge Fund... Of course, were you one of the pickers entrusted with a fund-owned Loar, you'd have to explain to the fund manager how you managed to spill a tankard of Old Frothingslosh into the f-hole of his primo investment, at last Friday's jam down at the Dew Drop Inn.

[danb]

Do you know which hedge fun is doing that Allen? interesting idea.

George Gruhn wrote a piece long ago about how a single buyer can move the market (Tsumura, for example, with tenor banjos).

[Jim Rowland]

The Dude phenomenon is a "Black Swan",and I think he appreciates it.
Jim

[John Jesseph]

Grow, that is a fitting description. # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[Jim Garber]

George Gruhn wrote a piece long ago about how a single buyer can move the market (Tsumura, for example, with tenor banjos).
Yes, and look what happened to Tsumura-san. His instruments are now scattered all over the globe. Actually, both he and Scott Chinery (the other single buyer with influence) both had serious tragedies befall them. Tsumura losing his fortune and Chinery losing his life. Not sure if that means a hill of beans, but just an observation.

Jim

[elmaestro]

I've jammed with Chris a lot here in NYC and he's always carting around his Dudes without hesitation. #He doesn't seem to worry much about it and treats them with respect but doesn't baby them.

I've got a Summit Artist F5 and I am still haven't found another mando that I like better. #I've fantasized about having a Dude or an MF5V Deluxe but I'll never forget the connection I've made with my Summit and that's stronger than any brand association.

There's a similar thing going on in the bass world with Fodera basses. #As soon as Victor Wooten started becoming known, his association with Fodera guitars quickly grew and before long, everyone wanted a Fodera (preferably one exactly like Victor's http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif). #Now they have a 2+year waiting list and their prices are higher than ever (base model ~$5500). #Alembics are even more expensive. #Victor of course isn't their only high-profile client. #Anthony Jackson is now on his sixth or seventh prototype of his contrabass guitar and you can now order a copy for about $15K. #Vinnie does all the carving himself and Anthony plays it in and sets it up just like his own personal instrument. #Still, that doesn't make me want to spend $15K any worse than I already do! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[eightstrings]

I've jammed with Chris a lot here in NYC and he's always carting around his Dudes without hesitation. He doesn't seem to worry much about it and treats them with respect but doesn't baby them.

I've got a Summit Artist F5 and I am still haven't found another mando that I like better. I've fantasized about having a Dude or an MF5V Deluxe but I'll never forget the connection I've made with my Summit and that's stronger than any brand association.

There's a similar thing going on in the bass world with Fodera basses. As soon as Victor Wooten started becoming known, his association with Fodera guitars quickly grew and before long, everyone wanted a Fodera (preferably one exactly like Victor's http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif). Now they have a 2+year waiting list and their prices are higher than ever (base model ~$5500). Alembics are even more expensive. Victor of course isn't their only high-profile client. Anthony Jackson is now on his sixth or seventh prototype of his contrabass guitar and you can now order a copy for about $15K. Vinnie does all the carving himself and Anthony plays it in and sets it up just like his own personal instrument. Still, that doesn't make me want to spend $15K any worse than I already do! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Hey cool I'm moving to NYC this August to go to NYU. I'll definitely be looking for jams and fellow mandolin players. Does Chris still play Dude #14 a lot (since I know #5 is his main mando) It seems like I haven't seen or heard his "other" Dude in a long time.

[mythicfish]

"I've fantasized about having a Dude or an MF5V Deluxe"

My "fantasy" ... that all the time I put into learning, practicing, and playing will help me to become a better musician.

"Dude": $35K
Progress: Priceless

Curt

[bradeinhorn]

Hey cool I'm moving to NYC this August to go to NYU. #I'll definitely be looking for jams and fellow mandolin players. #Does Chris still play Dude #14 a lot (since I know #5 is his main mando) #It seems like I haven't seen or heard his "other" Dude in a long time.
from my experiences with chris it is always number 5. i don't think the other gets too much play time at all. he is extreemely attached to it.

welcome to new york-it's a great town for bluegrass, etc. and there are some great jams. click on the ponkiesburg link below to get the info on the one i host.

brad

[allenhopkins]

Do you know which hedge fun is doing that Allen? interesting idea.
Here's (http://www.dailyii.com/article.asp?PositionID=2753&ArticleID=1358547&pageID=285) a short article from Institutional Investor on the subject. Apparently a London investment type is trying to raise $50 million to start a fund that will buy fine violins as an investment.

For my part, I'll kick in ten bucks for a fund that'll buy Strad-O-Lins and hold 'em for five years or until their prices double -- whichever comes first...

[elmaestro]

"I've fantasized about having a Dude or an MF5V Deluxe"

My "fantasy" ... that all the time I put into learning, practicing, and playing will help me to become a better musician.

"Dude": $35K
Progress: Priceless

Curt
I agree wholeheartedly! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[elmaestro]

Hey cool I'm moving to NYC this August to go to NYU. #I'll definitely be looking for jams and fellow mandolin players. #Does Chris still play Dude #14 a lot (since I know #5 is his main mando) #It seems like I haven't seen or heard his "other" Dude in a long time.
from my experiences with chris it is always number 5. i don't think the other gets too much play time at all. he is extreemely attached to it.

welcome to new york-it's a great town for bluegrass, etc. and there are some great jams. click on the ponkiesburg link below to get #the info on the one i host.

brad
That's been my observation as well. He seems to play Nº 5 almost exclusively.

[evanreilly]

Well, FWIW, Mr. Chris had very high compliments for the latest Dude to come off the assembly line, #38.

[f5loar]

From the reflection in the floor behind him that looks like it might be a rare one piece back with 3 piece neck and reverse Monroe style binding. I guess Dudes can take on all types of styles and designs. Does anyone know if Thile is the only person living with 2 Dudes?

[evanreilly]

Tommy!! I can't believe you got it all right from the reflection.
I know that Snapple owned one of Chris' Dudes for a bit, but Chris got it back from him. Maybe Snapple has acquired more?

[SternART]

I'm aware of a collector out here in Calif. who has 5 or 6 Dude mandolins.
That MUST be the the largest collection of Dudenbostel's. It is interesting to
note that he keeps them each in different tunings.

[45ACP-GDLF5]

I think some "thanks" are in order for Chris Hopper and myself for helping to supply that pic, Mr. Reilly!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[evanreilly]

Thank you Chris & Gaither!

[Links]

[QUOTE] "It is interesting to
note that he keeps them each in different tunings."

That's not all that interesting!

[bradeinhorn]

suddenly the dude is a bargain (http://www.mandolincafe.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.cgi?search_and_display_db_button=on&db_id=23680&query=retrieval)

[mrmando]

Does anyone know if Thile is the only person living with 2 Dudes?
I lived with three Dudes for a while, but then I moved out and got my own place.

[JEStanek]

Ha! I just received my standard model Dude in the mail today. Simple pale green finish with nice inlay (whoops) embroidery. Best of all, no wait list and it's adjustable enough I can pass it along to my kids any time.

OK its a hat... but I got a Dude!!!

Jamie

PS. Way more affordable than the Radio Flyer...

[f5loar]

You could pack your lunch inside that semi-modified F hole on that Radio Flyer. I guess that's what they mean by bigger is better!

[fwoompf]

That monteleone is ridiculous, oh my goodness

[SternART]

IMO Only the price is ridiculous, that is a tad high for a Flyer.

[fiddler59]

I have played a couple of Radio Flyers and I didn't care for either one of them.....I'm sure some people love them though.....They are superbly crafted instruments

David Blackmon

[fwoompf]

IMO Only the price is ridiculous, that is a tad high for a Flyer.
I just meant that it was one of the coolest looking mandolins I've ever seen...I've never had a chance to play one myself.

[sgarrity]

That is one cool lookin' mando. I've never even seen a Monty in person much less played one. It certainly looks like a work of art