The norris mandolin

[DustyRayj]

I found a website for "The Norris" mandolin, just wondering if anyone has any first hand knowledge of them and how they stack up to other mandolins (foreign and domestic) and about where they fit in. thanks

[Lee]

http://www.handmademandolins.com/_mgxroot/page_10728.html

- $2750 is about right for a handmade F5 from a small builder. Turkey Creek is in this range.
- His tap tuning theory is debated amongst builders.
- Odd that he couldn't find the type of mandolin tone he was looking for. What he described isn't all that uncommon.
- Website says "About Us" but he mentions only himself.

A lot of the verbage on the webiste seems kinda cliche', but he's not making any outragous claims.

[big h]

I think his first name is Chuck.The wood he uses comes from the trees he round-house kicks down. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Grandude]

Yes, I've played two of them. #My closest pickin partner bought one a year ago and everyone who heard it was impressed with the sound - imho much better (and more money) than any Pac Rim I've played.

My friend sold it to a beginner, and then ordered one with a radius fingerboard (the first one was flat). #It has come in and sounds almost exactly like the first one. #It is actually louder with a stronger chop than his other $10,000 mandolin that was made by a highly respected custom builder. #Although, the high end instrument has a more refined (and I think better) sound, and better finish. #The Norris will be used for festival picking. #I understand that Bobby Norris claims all his mandolins sound very similar. #He also will tell you that if you are looking for spit and polish finish details, then he aint the guy to build one for you. #They are a little rough around the edges up close - fine at a glance. #

From my experiences Norris mandos are affordable, fairly short wait and have a consistently good/strong sound. #They are one of the best values that I am aware of, particularly for someone looking for sound over finish-perfection.

[DustyRayj]

Thank you all for your input, #Lee you mentioned Turkey Creek mandolins, #they look really nice, #do they sound as good as they look?

[Lee]

Sorry, I've no clue about the Turkey Creek. I spotted them online a few years back and have been curious about them too.

[Dan Adams]

Turkey Creek mandolins are made in I believe Morrison, Colorado. Right outside of Denver. The Denver Folklore Center has one in stock, and the Olde Town Pickin Parlor will also carry one occasionally. I've played the one at the Folklore Center. Like any builder, the fit and finish is getting better as more instruments are constructed. The sound on this particular instrument was a lot fuller than the one I played a couple of years ago, so the luthier is continually improving the mandolins over time. I don't know if there is a website, etc to make contact. Dan

[Peggy Cabe]

I found a website for "The Norris" mandolin, just wondering if anyone has any first hand knowledge of them and how they stack up to other mandolins (foreign and domestic) and about where they fit in. thanks

I'm dusting off this thread since I just ordered an A-style mandolin from Bobby Norris last week. According to a player/luthier who knows him well, Bobby's fit and finish have improved significantly in the last 3 years. I believe his son, Robby Norris, plays one of his Daddy's F-type mandolins in Sure Fire - a bluegrass group of very talented youngsters.