Gibson doyle lawson

[peteymando]

I was at the Nashville OAI store in Nashville today and was offered a new Doyle Lawson for $6500.Not sure what retail is but that sounded like a good deal if anyone is looking for that model especially if you are out of state.Tennessee is almost 10% on the sales tax now.I dont have the tele # but can get it if you need me to.They stay open till 8 central.By the way it sounded really good with a nice chop.

[bradeinhorn]

that is a great price.

[Steve Perry]

Don't ask me how I know, http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif #but... I think Gibson may have relaxed some of their pricing rules for dealers. #Especially for instruments that have been in stock for a long time. #I've seen a few instances where NOS instruments have been discounted beyond the normal 10%.

Steve Perry

[MikeEdgerton]

Don't ask me how I know but most dealers weren't following those pricing rules anyway when push got to shove. When you got face to face in a purchase those prices generally came down.

[Nick Alberty]

The only Gibson Doyle Lawson model I played on, I was not impressed in regards to the price. Now if it cost 2 grand I could see how you might like it. But for the price they sell for...it's not worth it.

[Frank Russell]

Everybody's experience is different. Last time I got to play a bunch of the "signature" models, the Gibson I was most impressed with was the Doyle. And they're worth exactly what someone will pay. Frank

[Grandude]

Those that I played at OAI did not sound exceptional. However, a touring pro came to Florida a couple of weeks ago with one that was awesome. As with any acoustic instrument, it's best to play the one that you are going to buy, if possible.

FYI - On the last day of SPGMA Gibson was offering a Doyle Lawson, and other signature models, for less than $6,000.

[Eric F.]

I played one at FQMS in November that still haunts me. It was definitely worth what they were asking. It was amazing. They had another one that was OK, but not - to me - worth the cost.

[Timbofood]

Thank you Mr. Russell! That is a point which seems to get skirted around everywhere! An item only is worth what someone pays for it, no more, no less. Every different buyer has different expectations and for that matter financial wherewithall. The term "Too much" more often than not really means..."Not for my money" and generally is not meant to be disrepectful. I have had to pass on things that were beyond my means not that they were too much.

[Timbofood]

At least I try not to be disrespectful about it

[f5loar]

I'd say every Doyle I've played(6 or so) have been exceptional. And I'd say they always seem to be the pick of those signature models, well expect the Skaggs DMM.
But what do I know, I liked the Gibson Bobby Osborne signature models. I just got through looking at the 1989 live in Japan with the Osborne Bros. and although the DVD is very grainy and out of focus it sure looks like Bobby is playing one of those Gibsons and it really cuts in his hands.Probably the prototype they gave him. However the CDs included with the boxset is very clear and clean transfer to CD and that mandolin he had really is cutting. I know it's not his old Fern and this is before he endorsed that other Osborne Signature model.

[Treblemaker]

In 2005 I worked for an OAI dealer.
I got to play all the OAI Stock Mandolins.
Obviously an individual instrument from particular model lines may vary so my experience is purely subjective but from the OAI offerings of that year the Distressed Master Model, followed by the Varnished Fern and then the Doyle Lawson were my 3 favorites. Full of punch, tone and clarity.

The Doyle Lawson in particular had an unusual tonal palette that I would characterize as being "snarky." It was very nasal in nature compared with my other two favorites.

These originally were tagged at over 8K. The prices ultimately fell below 8. (The Distressed Master Model is still for sale - go figure.)

The dealer I worked for ultimately bailed on OAI - it was a bad deal for dealers with too many restrictions on marketing, advertising prices and inability to sell comparable models from other vendors.

Treblemaker

[drewgrass]

i bought mine new for around $6500, there was a fern, a webber fern, and collings mf, a kristufek wich had a awsome radiused fingerboard, another lawson. a (f5g. that did not impress me at all). the webber fern had the best chop the kristufek varnish had the best hi end, but the single note volume of the lawson i bought, sounded like a twelve string guitar thats the best description of the sound almost like it was chourused, mine has a very warm midrange sound, you can hear alot of wood when you pick. the chop is very balanced, overall i guess the word to describe mine is balanced. and versitile it can do bluegrass single note stuff very good but the chords and the chop is warm and jazzy, it dont have the overpowering chop some look for, i think its the bound f-holes, overall if your looking for versitility this may be it,

[45ACP-GDLF5]

The retail price for a new "Lawson" model is $9998. I'm the 2nd owner of mine, but I don't think the original owner hardly played it much. They do have a distinct sound though. Strong chop with a strong bass and good volume across the board. Doyle told me that when he was working with Gibson on the project back in 2003, the binding on the f-holes brought out more bass, which Doyle likes. $6500 is a good price for a new one. Most dealers have them for sale at $8900 right now.

[allenhopkins]

the binding on the f-holes brought out more bass
Now, explain to me how that would work.

[MikeEdgerton]

Now, explain to me how that would work.

The edges of the f holes are smoother allowing the little bass notes to escape from the inside easier. That's why there's no bass on inexpensive mandolins. The f holes are too rough.....

Hey, I've got a bridge for sale if you're interested, and I'm not talking about one for an arch topped mandolin. No, this bridge spans the east River in New York.

[pjlama]

Smaller f-holes do produce greater bass, I can't explain we'll need an enginer to do that but it's similar to what happens in port tuning on speaker enclosures. Any smart guys out there want to break it down?

[allenhopkins]

Hey, I've got a bridge for sale if you're interested, and I'm not talking about one for an arch topped mandolin. No, this bridge spans the east River in New York.
No thanx, Mike, I used all my spare change buying ocean-front property in Wyoming, where I plan to erect a little cabana and spend my golden years playing my new Regal Octofone...

By the way, I noticed that the engraving on my F-5's tuners really brings out the treble. And ever since I bought that new embroidered strap, my Strad-O-Lin has a much louder chop.

[45ACP-GDLF5]

the binding on the f-holes brought out more bass
Now, explain to me how that would work.
Doyle and Big Joe both mentioned that the binding makes the f-holes smaller, thereby creating more bass. How, I don't know, but it does. The volume isn't less though!! They've got plenty of volume for sure!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[45ACP-GDLF5]

Hey, I've got a bridge for sale if you're interested, and I'm not talking about one for an arch topped mandolin. No, this bridge spans the east River in New York.
No thanx, Mike, I used all my spare change buying ocean-front property in Wyoming, where I plan to erect a little cabana and spend my golden years playing my new Regal Octofone...

By the way, I noticed that the engraving on my F-5's tuners really brings out the treble. #And ever since I bought that new embroidered strap, my Strad-O-Lin has a much louder chop.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif That's funny Allen!! I like to go up to the old folks home and wax the steps every now and then!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[allenhopkins]

That's funny Allen!! I like to go up to the old folks home and wax the steps every now and then!!
Now, the SIZE of the f-holes...I can see that...it's just that I couldn't figure out how just binding the edges would bring out more bass.

Sorry if I offended ya.

[45ACP-GDLF5]

That's funny Allen!! #I like to go up to the old folks home and wax the steps every now and then!!
Now, the SIZE of the f-holes...I can see that...it's just that I couldn't figure out how just binding the edges would bring out more bass.

Sorry if I offended ya.
No no, Allen!! You didn't offend me at all!! Please don't apologize!! I thought your post was funny when you referred about the engravings and strap affecting the sound of your mandos!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

I don't really think it has to do with the binding, but rather that the binding makes the f-holes smaller, therefore bringing out more bass. I'm by no means an Acoustic Engineer, but basically I'm just repeating what Doyle and Big Joe told me. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

No offense at all!! I've enjoyed chattin' with ya!!

[DryBones]

didn't Steve from Gianna mention somewhere about Bound F holes on an Eastman?

[Big Joe]

The only thing that binding does is make the "F" holes prettier. It is not being smooth that makes the difference, but the size of the "F" hole. The Goldrush has smaller "F" holes also. They used the same dimension as the Lawson but without being bound. The larger the "F" holes, the more treble response. I do not recommend tuning your mandolin by adjusting the "F" holes, but in theory it can be used to adjust your mandolin to the tone desired.

[MikeEdgerton]

By the way, I noticed that the engraving on my F-5's tuners really brings out the treble. And ever since I bought that new embroidered strap, my Strad-O-Lin has a much louder chop.

I'm going to have to try both of those out. If it was on the cafe it has to be true.


Smaller f-holes do produce greater bass, I can't explain we'll need an enginer to do that but it's similar to what happens in port tuning on speaker enclosures.

I think you'll find that a tuned port on speaker enclosure has little to do with the size of the f holes on a mandolin. I think you'll find that's it's different science all together.

[EricL]

I played one at FQMS in November that still haunts me.
I wonder if that's the one I bought the first week of December, 2006. #It was a NOS from 2003 signed by Danny Roberts. #I played everything they had, Gibson, Collings, Sumi, etc. for two weeks before deciding to spend that much money on an instrument. #IMHO it was head and shoulders above the other Lawson and and the Bush's they had. #The only others they had at the time that I liked any better were an MM and a couple of DMMs but they were definitely out of my budget.

It's really maturing nicely and sounds even better now, louder and sweeter with a huge bark and strong mids. #I'm loving it. #I thought for a while about replying but then if I were in your shoes I'd be interested in what happened to it.

[Kevin K]

I believe that the Lawson started out with regular cut f-holes and binding was added later as a 2nd thought and the sound result was to the liking. That was told to me at OAI. The ones I've played I really like, good sound good feel.

[Eric F.]

I played one at FQMS in November that still haunts me.
I wonder if that's the one I bought the first week of December, 2006. It was a NOS from 2003 signed by Danny Roberts. I played everything they had, Gibson, Collings, Sumi, etc. for two weeks before deciding to spend that much money on an instrument. IMHO it was head and shoulders above the other Lawson and and the Bush's they had. The only others they had at the time that I liked any better were an MM and a couple of DMMs but they were definitely out of my budget.

It's really maturing nicely and sounds even better now, louder and sweeter with a huge bark and strong mids. I'm loving it. I thought for a while about replying but then if I were in your shoes I'd be interested in what happened to it.
That's the one! I'm glad it's found a good home. Enjoy it.