Butch's kimble

[Jonathan Peck]

Does anyone know when Will built Butch's F-5 mandolin modeled after his 1925 unsigned Loar?

[barry]

I'm pretty sure it was completed in spring '06.

b

[F5G WIZ]

Yeah I saw it in Will's shop a couple years ago while it was being built. Will could tell you for sure.

[Jonathan Peck]

This may be an odd question, but I read somewhere that Butch thought that the F-5 that Will built for him sounded like what he thought his Loar would have sounded like when it was new. Basically, he nailed it.

Can anyone tell me what Will's instruments sound like prior to studying and copying Butch's Loar? I think he would of had 80 or so under his belt by then.

[Klaus Wutscher]

Mine (A5, Nr. 58 I think)has some of the Loar characteristics (strong, dry but not overpowering bass, sweet midrange and lively highs) but there is a notable difference to the loar tone that is hard to describe for me. It could also be my playing, but my mando seems to sound more transparent and maybe ....well I don´t know, but it sounds great! Great bluegrass sound, but works well for classical and jazz also.

If you think loar tone= reischman, then my kimble sounds more "Hoss- like" to me. Not that anyone would mistake my playing for Sam´s, though:p http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[Big Joe]

Butch's mandolin is good, but the one's Will has built since are even better. I have REALLY been impressed with the work Will is doing. He is one of my favorite builders. If I were in the market for a great mandolin, his would certainly be one I could be happy with!

[Jonathan Peck]

Hey Joe,

How do you think that his recent mandolins differ from the older ones?

[Jonathan Peck]

Here's a couple of pictures of #72

[Jonathan Peck]

I was told the the original owner had sent the wood over to Will to use in the build

[Jonathan Peck]

The build date is January 2005

[Plang]

All the ones I played at IBMA were great. I was very impressed. I'm not very good at explaining sound but I can tell you they were loud and very easy to play. Are you taking this one home with you?

[Big Joe]

I think he is getting much closer to the Loar tone than earlier mandolins. They were all good, but with more experience and continued growth in his craft he is just getting better. I was VERY impressed!

[Will Kimble]

Thanks for the kind words everybody! #

I had a really nice Fern on loan for about 6 months back in the early part of '05, and while it was in my possession I revamped all of my patterns and tooling. #That summer & fall, I built a mandolin that was much closer to the specs of the old Gibson mandolins and found that it had more of a "Loar-like sound" than what I had been building previously. #

It was a turning point for me as a builder, I had to decide whether I wanted to keep building "Kimbles" or try to build "Loars." #As a player I had to admit that I preferred playing a good Loar, so that was the direction I chose. #I was afraid I might lose a part of myself, a signature sound, but it turns out no matter how close I get to a Loar it still has a "Kimble" component to the sound - so there was really nothing to worry about after all.

The success of that particular mandolin gave me the confidence to pursue building a Butch Baldassari signature model mandolin - something Butch and I had been discussing for years. #I finished the first one of those in the spring of '06 and Butch played it extensively at Kamp Kauffmann that summer. #I have since completed one other Butch Baldassari model mandolin. #

I think my earlier mandolins are more influenced by Lynn Dudenbostel, and my love of his mandolins. #As I was able to play and study more Loar mandolins, I grew to appreciate them more & more. #There was a fundamental shift in the summer of '05, and most of the mandolins I have built since then reflect this shift to more of a "Loar sound". #These include the Butch Baldassari model mandolins, as well as the mandolins played by Andy Statman and Mike Guggino of the Steep Canyon Rangers. #

There were many small changes - things like arching, graduations, tone bars, f-holes, neck angle, and so forth. #I put my faith in red spruce & sugar maple. #But mostly I just quit thinking about everything so much and started to build them more like I knew the old ones were. #Sounds simple, but a lot of thought, experience, and studying went into that decision. #My numbering is not always in order, so it may be more useful to go by the date rather than the serial number. #There is also a transition period where I was fiddling around with some of the variables. #

The mandolin pictured is from around the time I was borrowing the old Fern, and has a red spruce top and a red maple back. #The date is inked when I glue on the back, it was probably a couple more months before the mandolin was delivered. #

Will Kimble
www.kimblemandolins.com

[Glassweb]

I had the pleasure of meeting Will for the first time earlier this year at a "Loargy" that was held near his home in Ohio. There were many, many fine mandolins there including 15 Loars, many Dudes, Gils and some Kimble F5's. It was, to say the least, a mando consciousness raising experience beyond belief - not to mention a GREAT party! I was fortunate enough to have some nice chats with Will about mandolins, life and the challenges of being a builder. I was not only impressed with his work, but also by his intense focus and committment to his craft. People like Will, Gil and Dude are all extremely talented and humble people and just getting to know them all has made my life much the better. I was living in NYC at the time and was in regular contact with my dear friend and mandolin teacher, Andy Statman. It was apparent to both of us that it was time for him to think about aquiring a new mandolin. Now, everyone knows that Andy has basically been glued to his legendary A2 Gibson snakehead for over 30 years, but the mandolin was getting tired and I think Andy was ready to take a new journey tonally. We spent a bunch of time talking about possible choices for an F-hole mandolin and I updated him on what's been happening in the evolution (or revolution) of mandolin lutherie. And so, he decided to take a plunge into the new frontier of long scale, F style mandolins. He managed to play a few through the good graces of some friends, and we also spent a day out at Mandolin Brothers trying everything on the wall. Stan Jay was great and treated Andy royally... it was a wonderful time well spent and it definitely got Andy's eyes and ears buzzing. However, Andy was still searching for the mandolin that could accomodate his skills. On a whim, I decided to give Will a call and told him that I was trying to help Andy find a new axe. I really had no idea if he had the time to build Andy a mandolin or whatever, but as luck would have it he actually had a newly finished F5 that he was planning to keep as his own instrument. Amazingly, he asked me if Andy would like to take it for a spin! Well, I gave Andy a call... made arrangements for shipping and soon after I presented the mandolin to Andy. This is the mandolin Andy now plays. I was back in NYC a couple of months ago and spent a few hours at Andy's home in Brooklyn talking music and mandolins. It was amazing to hear how his new baby had broken in and I was VERY impressed with the tone, volume, balance and response. I had my Loar with me and while Andy was impressed with my Loar, I was damn impressed with his Kimble. Well, I guess this is just a long-winded way of saying that Will is doing fantastic work and is growing rapidly as an artisan. Like the Dude, Gilchrist and many other great builders he's also a fine player, so he knows what a great mandolin sounds like. Ah yes, it's a great time to be a mandolin player... thanks Will!

[barry]

Thanks for the compliment Shayne but the Kimble is not part of the "catch and release" program. I had the opportunity to A/B it for an entire afternoon with 3 Loars earlier this year. It had all the same stuff. Here's a quick pic of it with a couple of "originals".

barry

[Jonathan Peck]

#72 arrived on Thursday. We're bonding nicely. I'm very happy with this mandolin. Thanks everyone for your replies.

[bradeinhorn]

holy moly. what happened to the givens??? we've got to get together one of these days.

[Chris Biorkman]

I think it's fair to say that Jonathan has the sickness pretty bad. The idea of having to cook dinner for myself keeps me relatively in check. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Jonathan Peck]

I sent the Givens back. The string spacing was painful on my fingers. It was a fine sounding mandolin, but I just didn't feel like having a new nut and bridge made for it. The MM also has a new home and while I will miss it, the Kimble is a heck of a mandolin. I can't say I have any MAS at the moment, in fact I'd say it's in remission.

[sgarrity]

You're in good company around here Jonathan. I'm just glad to see someone who has it worse than me! I'm still on the hunt. Have one coming soon for a test drive. That Kimble looks awesome!

[goose 2]

Shaun,

Is it the RD coming or some other?

[Jonathan Peck]

Shaun...I'm cured!!! Good thing too because I've done spent the last of my mando-bucks. They're all yours now http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

James, thanks for the lead. What a nice gentleman. She's a real looker. I believe it's the only blond made....and the only one that ever will be

[Jonathan Peck]

Easy on the eyes too

[Jonathan Peck]

#110, nice abalone fern inlay

[jasona]

Quite a looker there!

[barry]

So Jonathan, did you just buy Kimble #72 AND #110?

[danb]

I'd concur that Will's stuff is very good. I played a recent one at a friend's place, again with the chance to A/B/C vs some other very nice stuff, and had to call Will to compliment him on it! Will, you're doing a very good job on those mandolins, they sound very Loary!

[Scott Tichenor]

I concur that Will makes a fabulous instrument. I get to play this one every day, and do. Behold, my dola.

[Scott Tichenor]

[Jonathan Peck]

Barry, I just got #72. I saw it and I bought it without hesitation. I had just sold my MM and was looking for something to take its place. I had read very positive comments about Will's work and wanted to try one. Since they don't seem to come up for sale very often, I jumped on the first one I saw.

It hasn't taked me very long to decide that Will is the the builder for me. This particular mandolin has everything that I could have ever hoped for in the tone and playability department. It's a dream to play and even with J-75's and medium actionon, it doesn't feel tight. It's right in my wheel house in terms of how I like a mandolin to respond to the pick.

The playability up the neck is like melted butter and the trebles are unbelieveably lively while not sacrificing anything in the bass. Every other mandolin I've owned has seemed to drop off a little on the high E string, not this one. The fit and finish have an aesthetic that speaks quality and care. The pictures don't even come close to doing it justice. This is the first mandolin that I've owned that I can just stare at in awe of it's beauty.

For the first time I've found a mandolin that has everthing that I want in my instrument, I wouldn't change a thing....well maybe the tailpiece, but I'm going to live with it for awhile and try and get used to it. I was somewhat quiet in my initial response because I was on the hunt for one of Will's more recent creations with the Loar gaduations and arching. I was prepared to wait as long as it would take for someone to sell one. Turns out the wait was only a couple of days, #110 should be on it's way after the holiday.

Dan, this is the same one that you played...I'm glad that you liked it as you've played some good ones and you know what good is more than I ever will.


Scott, well I guess I don't have the only blond Kimble after all. I don't know if never is forever, but it was told to me that Will won't make another so I think that we've got the only ones. That Dola' is just beautiful.

[sgarrity]

Very nice catch. I've played several Kimbles and they have all been great. Wouldn't mind owning one at some point on the MAS journey. As for blondes, I know there are some blonde A-styles and 2 pointers floating around out there. This is the only blonde F5 of his that I've seen.

[Chris Biorkman]

That blonde is sweet!

[Will Kimble]

I have made only a few blonde Fs, and I don't intend to build any more of them unless I just happen to feel like it - I am not offering that as a finish option on Fs any more. #It is a good possibility that #110 will be the last blonde F, but I am only 38 and have a lot of building left to do...

I have made many blonde As, 2 points, mandolas, and octave mandolins, and will continue to do so. #

Jonathan - I am glad to hear you are enjoying your mandolin, please let me know if you need anything. #We can get you a James tailpiece for #72, just let me know. #

Thanks,
Will Kimble

[Jonathan Peck]

Hi Will,

I think 'enjoying' is an understatement http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif I love this mandolin. It came to me in virtually un-played condition. There is no fret wear to speak of and if it's had a dressing, I surely can't tell. I can hardly wait to see how it will develop over the coming months/year. My only regret is that it's going to have to share my attention with #110.

I would like to call you when I'm ready to send it down. Thank you so much for your generous offer. I'm sure that you're extremely busy to take in a completed mandolin for some work that it doesn't really need.

[tjg]

I cannot say enough good things about Will's mandolins. I am thoroughly enjoying #107, a red spruce/sugar maple fern F model.

Keep it up, Will!

[Jonathan Peck]

I haven't bought from Will (yet) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif and he has always been the most gracious person when I email or talk to him at a show....

...but he certainly knows the type of mando I want -so one day!
Shayne, get on the list if you can, you won't be dissapointed. #72 was de-tuned for shipping and has really come up in depth and volume in the last week. As someone has said before about his Kimble, the trebles seem to cascade out of the 'f' holes like diamond drops. The bass is really crisp and punchy. This mandolin is exceptionally balanced, but when you get to the trebles it's like you have an extra gear. The clarity and expression of this mandolin continue to blow me away. This mandolin is so responsive it gives back more than you put in and more.

[Jonathan Peck]

Fed Ex arrived yesterday. I don't think I can describe this one accurately so I think I'll stop at very Loar like. It's going to be awhile, probably in the new year, but I'll try and get some clips together of #72 and #110 for a comparison.