Rattlesnake Mandolins

[gibby24]

I have read with interest and sympathy about Dale's dealings with Moonbeam. I think we all appreciate hearing about this if only because it might prevent the rest of us from going down that road with a particular builder. I wanted an K-5 style Mandocello and Rattlesnake (Olin Davis) agreed to build it. What a pleasant experience. He was 5 months late on delivery but he stayed in contact and frankly said the instrument was more time consuming than he thought. I did not have a problem with this as I wanted a good job and not a rush job. When it finaly came this is what I found out; 1) He used absolutely spectacular exhibition AAAA wood on the back and neck and this was not ordered, 2) An extra bridge, nut and tailpiece to convert to a 6 string guitar and this was not ordered 3) No extra charge for the Virzi because "I wanted to build one anyway" 4) it sounds even better than I had imagined and 5) I paid for 2d day air but he sent it next day at his extra expense because he appreciated my patience. This is the kind of experience we all hope for. I am now ordering an F5 with a virzi with all the confidence in the world. If you deal with Rattlesnake I feel certain I have described how you will be treated.

Yes Olin is a great guy and does good business with his customers and makes a darn good mando to boot.

[Greg H.]

While I haven't done any business with Olin, I have to agree that he builds one great mandolin. I bought my Rattlesnake used, but in both tone and volume it was noticibly better than any of my previous mandolins (including an Apitius and a Dearstone) I've known a number of people who own Rattlenakes and they've all been equally pleased.

5 Months overdue? Don't think he be getting any of Dale's business either. It is common knowlege that premium custom built mandolins such as Moon Beam and Rattlesnake take time.

Olin stayed in Contact and didnt give Gibby the run around unlike moonbean did which basically just screwed Dale.

To each his own opinion! The way I see it Dale couldn't wait for a perfectly good mandolin because he lost a sale. Policies are there to be followed. Moon Beam is not the only one who has a non-refundable deposit. Dale should not have even posted such a thread knowing the facts before hand.

Ha. deposit is one thing .. The MoonBeam guy wanted to keep it all not just the deposit! Plus he gave Dale the run around. Been different if he would have been straight up with Dale.

Dale knew the facts, Dale is a dealer and dealt with Moon Beam personally.
Just bad business on MoonBeams part no doubt about it. Also MoonBeam cant be put in the same boat as a Rattlesnake? Kinda like comparing a Gibson to a Kentucky well I woulnt even put a Moonbeam in the same boat as a kentucky

Nuff said on my part thats my honest opinion. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Mando Dan]

WOW! Maverick you have played a Moon Beam!! Could you compare a Gibson, Rattlesnake and a Moon Beam for me in sound quality and playability? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[neal]

Don't be too hard on Bob, sounds like he's got one on order:D

The only thing that really matters is that Gibby got a good one and has ordered another. Rattlesnake, Moon Beam or Gibson, the good ones are worth waiting for. But if your a dealer, having a good one is not as important as making a buck. And that is understandable as well. I wish I had one on order, Moon Beam that is. From what I hear they are great mandos.:D

"But if your a dealer, having a good one is not as important as making a buck"

I strive to have & do both........

A small Dealers funds are not unlimited & I try to coordinate arrivals so that no one month totally breaks the bank. I've had funds tied up since February for nothing..... & that don't keep the lights on. I'm sorry Bob but business is business & I have a family to feed to.

BTW, if you want a Moon Beam I'll sell you this Blackface A at my cost.......

sounds like Dale has a deal for you Bob! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

No thanks I never trust a car salesman! But all kidding aside I was looking for a more upper end model. A Maple Moon Beam F-Style would suit me just fine. You wouldn’t happen to have one of those you would let me have at cost. Would you? Yeah I know what you mean about monthly budget. Everybody has bills and nobody wants to pay them. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[gibby24]

I can not say enough good about Mr. Davis. I sent him a tone poem booklet so he could copy the unique headstock of that K-5. He got that spot-on. It was his 1st mandocello and it just took more time than he initially thought but throughout he always said that if he carefully tuned the plates, virzi and tone bars it WILL have that deep rich cello sound and it does. I showed it to Roland White the day after I got it and his 1st response was "wow, I could really have some fun with this". I was so glued to playing it that I didn't even look at the back. I called Olin the next day to let him know it got there safely and he asked me what I thought of the back and neck. I told him I really didn't pay attention. There was a short silence and he said "Its exhibition wood and you really ought to take a look at it. I tried it as a guitar and I included the pieces to convert it over because it sounded so good I figured you might want the guitar to match it with the other half of the same board after you played it." Needless to say the wood, though it is sunburst, looks like those blond LeGrands Gibson used to make. I know I have probably butchered the name or the model but the folks at Gibson did use really high end wood. The other thing is, that he varnished the mandocello and the drying time was longer between coats. I hope all you fellows are treated as well as I was.

[gibby24]

One more thing Pickin Bob, lay off the car salesman. First the ones who stay in business for a long time, do so on repeat business. I have several client accounts who are car dealers and I whole heartedly believe they get lied to about trade-ins far more frequently than you may imagine. Moonbeam may be a buddy of yours and that is fine but part of being in business is the obligation to make a refund when that becomes necessary and the means to live up to your responsibility. End of story. I want to hear about these problems so I can steer clear or visa versa support the good guys.