Chris stanley mandolins [Archive]

Jonathan Peck

Sep-08-2007, 4:00pm

I'd love to hear comments from those who have played them. I checked the archives and have read the very possitive feedback Chris has recieved from the few here that have been lucky enough to get one. I'm wondering if anyone has anything new to add since the last Stanley post from January of this year.

-jonathan

Big Joe

Sep-08-2007, 6:13pm

Chris Stanley's work is impeccable for the amount of time he has been building. Needless to say, they keep getting better. His first ones were incredible and they are getting very good now. I have played a good number of them and have not found a dog in the bunch. He and his wife are wonderful people as well.

wallflower

Sep-08-2007, 8:21pm

Chris makes an excellent mandolin. #I've owned 3 different Gibson Master Models and I sold them all after I received my Stanley. #To my ear, Chris' mandolins sound more like old Gibsons than the new mandolins from Gibson.

red7flag

Sep-08-2007, 9:09pm

I recommend Chris as a wonderful person to deal with. I recommend his instruments as great sounding and easy to play. Mine has the Loar sound that I was looking for. Every Stanley that I have played has that same sound. I am curious as to the current price and how long is the waiting time?
Tony

dasspunk

Sep-08-2007, 9:14pm

I've played two. Chris' fit and finish have caught up with the tone of his instruments... which is fantastic. He's also a fellow Wisconsonite... though I hear he might be moving?

GO BUCKY!

goose 2

Sep-09-2007, 12:31am

I have played one of his Fs extensively as my picking buddy has one. #I love that mandolin. #I have one of his As on order (he is soon to get started on it!) to go with my DMM. # His prices keep going up but I still think that they are a bargain #compared to the competition. #They are just such nice mandolins. #Clarity and volume sum up the tone of the one I have played. #Definitely Gibsonish in tone but a little different. Beautiful wood, finish, etc. . . #Its all there. # BTW he is extremely easy to work with. #He is one of the very best out there in my book. #I believe his wait is over a year but I am not certain about that.

DannyB

Sep-09-2007, 7:15am

I'm the proud owner of Stanley #5 for almost a year now and what I can say is, it is a fantastic mandolin. Every time I play it, it gets better. It has the tone, at least for my ear, and boat loads of volume. To really hear how good they sound though you need to let someone else play it and stand back away from it (if you can stand someone else playing your baby)and then you'll get the idea. I'm sorry to say that mine is the only one I've heard live but if they are consistent as is being said then there are some other great mandolins out there.:D

wallflower

Sep-09-2007, 11:29am

DannyB-

You hit the nail on the head. #You've to get in front of a Stanley to realize the tone and volume it's putting out (much like an old Gibson). #I play with a group of guys and I regularly let one of the others play my Stanley and I'm always stunned at how amazing the Stanley sounds.

goose 2

Sep-09-2007, 1:22pm

I agree, like my DMM it is as loud across the room as standing right in front of it. Very easy to hear yourself and be heard in a jam as it cuts so good. I find an instrument that can cut like that is somewhat hard to find.

Jonathan Peck

Sep-09-2007, 8:30pm

Thanks everybody. Just what I was hoping to hear. I was looking to find something with great midrange that is loud and projects well in loud playing situations and that also has the Loarish tone. A huge bonus will be that the mandolin will be one that I'll want to play everyday and not just when I play out. Sounds like the Stanley will be that mandolin, atleast I have high hopes it will be. While I still admire the DMM's and likely always will, I'm just not ready to part with the mandolins I now have to get it together to get one.

The Stanley seems like alot of mandolin for what they are curently listing for and fits my budget right now. Looks like my MM will have a little competition for my attention, although that is the one I always go back to...it just speaks to me and I can't really put into words why. I should have Stanley #14 in my posession in about two weeks. Thanks everyone for your input.

-jonathan

red7flag

Sep-10-2007, 7:48am

Many quality mandos have a stronger bass than the Stanley. #Of mine the Collings and the White Dove Oval A do. #Most quality mandolins that I have played have a strong treble and strong bass range and no distinct midrange. #The Stanley actually seems to have one continuous scale as a result of the strong mids. #If mids are what you are looking for the Stanley is about as good as I have heard. #As such there is one tone that is consitant through the range as opposed to two distinctive sound qualities that most mandos have. #This is hard for me to describe. #Maybe somebody else can say it in a more clear way.
Tony

Jonathan Peck

Sep-10-2007, 9:06am

Tony,

I think you lost me there http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif excepting maybe that's it's as subltle and complex as a wrecking ball http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

DannyB

Sep-12-2007, 5:19am

My Stanley seems to be getting a deeper tone the more I play it. I have played an MM that was deeper but the 3 collings I played were very comparable to the Stanley, granted they were new on the shelf and also some of the best mandos I've picked up. Also the MM I played was probably the best mandolin I've ever had my hands on, including 2 DMM's. I haven't been able to get ahold of the guy to see if it's still for sale, but it's one that for me would cure MAS, I just hope I can keep the Stanley when that day comes cause for sure it's a keeper.

woodysny

Sep-12-2007, 6:19pm

I'll chime in here since I happen to have an MM and a Heiden just like capn crunch. My Stanley #7 is just a great mandolin. Sounds like an old Gibson; looks an awful lot like my MM. Easy to play, great tone. Awesome value compared to many other alternatives. If you can buy one, then I would sure go for it.

Jonathan Peck

Sep-13-2007, 11:03am

Woodysny,

Are you sure we weren't separated at birth? I also have a Dearstone. Very strange coincidence

woodysny

Sep-13-2007, 5:10pm

Captain,
I doubt that we were seperated at birth but we seem to like the same tones in our mandolins. Also seem to like to get great mandolins at modest prices. Now that you have your Chris Stanley, you can start looking for Collings Varnish Deluxe to complete your set. I expect you will really like your Stanley - let me know what you think when you get it.

Jonathan Peck

Sep-14-2007, 8:15am

I'm still patiently waiting on the Stanley. Since it looks similar to my other mandolins, I was thinking that I can work it in w/o nary a raised eyebrow from the Mrs....excepting she might notice that the name on the headstock is her maiden name. I haven't named any of my instruments, but I'm thinking I might name this one 'old maid'. I hope she gets the joke http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

wallflower

Sep-14-2007, 8:28pm

Shayne-

For what it's worth, the two mandolins from those soundclips that I wouldn't let go are the Stanley and the Paganoni. #They both sound right.

rjkf5l89

Sep-16-2007, 3:31pm

I just purchased #39 v5 Chris Stanley, let me tell you, this is a mandolin that I can't say enough about. #Chris worked with me on every detail and sent pictures as he build my mandolin. #Its like I was there in his shop building my mandolin with him. #I knew from doing my research this mandolin was going to sound nice and right out of the gate this thing was a beast. #From the low end, through the mids, and right to the highs. #The first week I had it, the mandlolin just got better and louder and better and louder. #Now since I have a banjo player in my band that was nice to hear. Its even right across the board no matter if your playing quiet or getting down on it, the tone is the same. #I sold my 1989 Gibson F5L to get a Chris Stanley and I'm glad I did. #Its not that my 1989 Gibson was a bad mandolin, its just that my Chris Stanley is like a amplified old vintage gibson new out of the gate. Whats this thing going to sound like in a few years. I paid $8,000.00, he has another for sale right now for $7,500.00.

woodysny

Sep-16-2007, 7:57pm

In a few years it will sound a lot better - trust me!

squirrelabama

Sep-20-2007, 12:00pm

A Stanley is definietly on my wish list. And although I am a strong practitioner of the "Look with your ears" theory, were I in a position to order one, I would definitely have Chris use a different font for the logo on the head-stock. It needs to be more cursive and flowing to match the classic lines of the mandolin. Right now it looks like some signage from a store in a strip-mall. BUT, that's just my opinion, and you know what they say about opinions......

squirrelabama

Sep-20-2007, 12:27pm

You dont have to ask me twice!!! I'm there dude!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

red7flag

Sep-20-2007, 1:13pm

I am a big Stanley fan, but I have to concur with Squirrellalabama. Don't like the "Stanley" on the headstock or the tailpeice. But, the rest more than makes up for it.
Tony

woodysny

Sep-20-2007, 2:35pm

It's really hard to describe how an instrument "opens up" but it certainly happens. The mandolin tone just seems to get more vibrant as the varnish cures on the topwood. When I first bought the Stanley, I spoke with Chris and he told me that the tone would be improved in 2-3 years and it did. I guess you could ask him what the specific reasons are for this - he would certainly be able to tell you.

rjkf5l89

Sep-20-2007, 8:42pm

My #39 has the new stanley head stock design which is different (custom) I like it. I think I got the first one if anyone is interested, I can get some pics out. My opinion, is that Chris is getting his later mandolins to open up from 0-6 months instead of 2-3 years. I feel mine will not take that long the way its been going, thats why I feel that way. It seems to be changing on a dialy basis.

goose 2

Sep-21-2007, 12:14am

Please do get some picture out of the new headstock. I have one of his coming soon and I want to see what it looks like.

AlanN

Sep-21-2007, 5:38am

Can I get an Amen....simple, classy, understated, just the way I like it.

Glassweb

Sep-21-2007, 6:35am

Amen brother!

rjkf5l89

Sep-21-2007, 7:45am

Hey! thats my mandolin head stock.

Jonathan Peck

Sep-21-2007, 12:50pm

My #opinion, is that Chris is getting his later mandolins to open up from 0-6 months instead of 2-3 years. I feel mine will not take that long the way its been going, thats why I feel that way. It seems to be changing on a dialy basis.

You know, I'm really not sure how old my #14 is. The label is signed but isn't dated. It doesn't sound new, but when played next a mature mandolin, you can really hear how much further it has to go. That said, I think that openess has more to do with how much and how hard a mandolin has been played than how old it is, and the Stanley makes me want to play:)

I received Stanley #14 yesterday and we've been getting to know one another. She's a good one and I'm really impressed with the playability which seems to have also benefited from a very good set-up from a previous owner. I re-strung her and headed down to my local jam last night. As I was hoping, she has good volume and projection and cuts well in a loud environment. I got home around midnight and instead of going to bed, I sat and picked quietly for an hour. I really love the clarity and tone of this mandolin. Chris Stanley is sure doing a lot of things right as others have already said.

red7flag

Sep-21-2007, 12:59pm

Mine opened up some at one month. Then at about three months opened up some more. And recently that would be about 9 months it opened up some more. I was really pleased with the sound when I got it. I never could have imagined where it is now. Chris likes the look of his instruments with mojo. For 9 months, mine has plenty. I just have a hard time keeping it out of my hands, and for an instrument, that is a dangerous place.
Tony

goose 2

Sep-21-2007, 2:38pm

Thanks for the pictures. That should look quite nice on the snakehead headstock on my A model.

lloydlore

Sep-21-2007, 4:44pm

My Stanley #20 seemed to be pretty open from the beginning. However, it was played a bit at SPBGMA 2006 where some of you may have played it. It was the one "in the white". Now I also have #38 and it is very interesting to compare the two. #20 has more volume and clarity where #38 sounds muted. It will be interesting to see how #38 develops as it gets more playing time.

Paul

red7flag

Sep-21-2007, 11:24pm

I played the one "In White" and it was so good that I decided to order one. Can only imagine how fine it is now. I ordered my Stanley within 2 weeks of SPBGMA when I was sure of the finances. Paul, you got a great instrument.
Tony

Jonathan Peck

Sep-24-2007, 12:55pm

I've been refraining from posting about the Stanley because it was de-tuned for shipping and I put new strings on after I unpacked it. After five days of regular playing, I've got to say that the Stanley is really coming to life. In fact, it's the liveliest mandolin I've played. The trebles seem to just 'pop'. I'm definitely smitten' with this mandolin. That's all for now! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif