New passernig f-5

[tterral]

Well, the Passernig that Scott posted pictures of a week or two ago finally arrived at it's new home last week (that would be my home, by the way). Here is a link to the picture Scott posted - mine is the first picture http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin....t=45914 (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=12;t=45914)

I must say, everything I had read about these mandolins was true - great build, great tone out of the box, loud, great chop, etc. After having and playing it for a week, I must say I am very happy with the mandolin. I believe it came strung up with J75s, which I have always been wanting to try. I am used to J74s, so there is a liitle more string tension to deal with. I will be trying different strings over the next few months to see which work best for what I am wanting to hear out of this mandolin. Highly recommend checking these mandolins out, for anyone interested in a new F5. Check with Jason at Smokey Mountain Guitars, they are the only ones that carry the Passernigs (NFI).

[Chris Biorkman]

Very nice. Doesn't it have pearwood on the back?

[Cary Fagan]

Congratulations. As a Passernig owner, I understand your enthusiasm. I just love my #36.

By the way, I've used both 74s and 75s and prefer the former. But I like when other people play with 75s and get a slightly darker tone. I find them harder to play with, though.

[Russ Jordan]

I own #25 and like GHS LSG250's--silk and bronze.

Tim--is yours the one in the new arrivals (marked sold) section at Smoky Mtn? Congratulations.

[tterral]

Yep, that is mine on the SMG site (last mandolin on the second page). They were going for $4,250.00, but I added the engraved James tailpiece and the bound pickguard, which kicked the price up a little. #Pretty much everything Dan says in the description is true. I know he sounds a little overblown sometimes in his descriptions, but as others who have bought Passernigs from him have testified, he is pretty much right on with what he says, thank goodness. I had never played one before and was strickly going by what other owners had said. I swore I would never buy another instrument without playing it first, but I live in a place that is slim pickins, when it comes to mandolin selection. What is really strange is that I am mainly a guitar player that is really liking the mandolin and have two very nice guitars (Santa Cruz Tony Rice and a Martin D-18CW - Clarence White). The mandolin cost considerably more than either of the two guitars, I am still trying to rationalize that one, but I am not sorry I pulled the trigger on the Passernig.

The mandolin with the pearwood was bought by Crowder, if I rememeber correctly. Mine has an Adirondac top and red maple back and sides, pretty standard configuration.

I am definitely going to try the J74s, although I do like the darker tone of the J75s (I may end up having to "man up" and go with the J75s). I have been reading about the GHS Silk and Bronze - what is their tone like, compared to the J74/75s, they sound very interesting?

[Russ Jordan]

The description of Tim's mandolin also says the price of new Passernigs is $5000. I think they are still a bargain at $5k, and are the equal of other varnished mandolins in the $10k-$12k range.

[flatthead]

Well, I'm not too much of a "me too" guy, but.......Me too.... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

I'm very happy with mine

[jhbaylor]

Me too...

[tterral]

Any of you Passernig owners use a Tond Gard? I have one I used on my Collings MT and I really liked it. Did not know if there would be any issues putting it on a new, or old, Passernig since it has a varnish finish. I am guessing it would be fine after the varnish has cured awhile, but kind of in the dark about whether to use it now or not. Also, can you leave the Tone Gard on and get it in the Travelite case, without causing any problems.

[Russ Jordan]

#25 is loud enough that no tonegard is needed.

[Russ Jordan]

[QUOTE]Well I am not sure about the 10K - 12K range cause that puts them in the Ellis category and I don't think they are quiet there. However, the Passernig is one big time value for everyone.

I was not thinking of Ellis specifically when I made the statement about Passernigs, but since mandopluker did: I have a friend who owns an Ellis and we a/b 'them. The Passernig compared favorably, and it was not just my opinion.

Any way you cut it--there are some really great mandolins coming out of Austin, Texas these days!!

[pickinNgrinnin]

Congratulations Tim! I wish I would have sold you mine but I'm glad you now have one. I'm sure it was worth the wait. I think there is very little to risk in buying one of Stephan's sight unseen. He is making some great F5's and they will continue to get better.

I would not be in any hurry to use a tone guard. Giving the varnish a good long time to cure is the safe route. I also used J-74's on my Passernig.

It appears we steered you in a good direction. Have fun with this beautiful Mandolin!

[jhbaylor]

I actually just put a tone gard on #34, and it seems to make a nice difference. #I got to say, that new headstock signature on Stefan's newer ones looks great. #I guess my old SP is the vintage headstock now. No problem getting in the case, it just sits up about an inch higher in the case.

[Crowder]

I have #42, the Pearwood F-5, and it continues to blow me away. The tone and volume are remarkable. I took it to band practice last week, and when I got the there the host told me he had a Master Model so I asked to play that since I'd never spent a lot of time with one. The MM was nice, but it seemed to be really sensitive to picking over the sweet spot...the further away I got from it, the more it sounded like your everyday average mandolin. The Passernig is much more responsive in my hands. The chop is absolutely dangerous.

I feel very lucky to have gotten in where I did in terms of price. I have played a lot of instruments that cost twice as much and prefer the Passernig Paint Peeler to any of them. It's my keeper.

[mandomick]

Hey Tim, congtrats on the new mando and how about posting some additional pics? A close up of the tailpiece maybe?

[Russ Jordan]

[QUOTE]I got to say, that new headstock signature on Stefan's newer ones looks great. I guess my old SP is the vintage headstock now

Actually, I like the simplicity of the SP:

[Russ Jordan]

#25 is a wonderful sounding mandolin. Top is German spruce, so it is a different tone, but one that I like very much.

[pickinNgrinnin]

[QUOTE]I got to say, that new headstock signature on Stefan's newer ones looks great. I guess my old SP is the vintage headstock now

[QUOTE] Actually, I like the simplicity of the SP

I also like the simplicity of the SP logo. Stephan liked it too but I think Dan talked him into having his name on the headstock. Great Mandolins!

[tterral]

I wish I could post some pictures of the mandolin, but I do not have a digital camera. I will see if i can borrow one and take some shots. I prefer the new headstock, but frankly, it is the playability and tone that I was after and I am very happy with both. Dan did talk Stefan into putting his name on the headstock. I believe Stefan will be using an upgraded tailpiece (James, I think) on his new mandolins as well, instead of the stamped "Gibson" type of tailpiece, thanks to Dan. I think both are good moves.

Hey Mike, glad to hear the Passernig ended up being your keeper, I know you seemed to really like your Collings. Did you sell it? I am selling my Collings MT to a good friend in Oregon who heard and played it at Winfield last year. Collings are great mandolins too, but I really do prefer the new Passernig, based on what my preferences are.

Jeff is right, all the Passernig folks helped me a bunch in taking the plunge. Jeff you were very helpful and informative and I really appreciate you discussions with me about your Passernig. Thanks to everyone who helped me make my decision, the time researching all the different possiblilties was fun, but now it is time to settle down and get to know my new mandolin, can't wait.