Smith Creek Mandolins

[Flatpick]

Anybody played one or have owned one can give me some insite on the beautiful instruments.

Thanks in advance.... Flatpick http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[garryh]

Flatpick,

I owned #71 for a little over a year and loved it. #Sold it because I had to thin out the collection, not because I didn't think it was a great instument. #If you have any plans to buy a new one, You'll get a great instrument. #If you're thinking about a used one don't buy without first having a chance to play and examine it. #I've been told some of the early ones (<#50) had constuction problems. ##71 was just fine. #Some produced after mine were made using a high neck set and had a high bridge setting....may not be your cup of tea. #Dave has since gone back to the lower, more standard neck set. #I think he's currently making #100-#112 or there abouts. #The batch will be completed around the beginning of September. #Dave told me that he's planning to french polish this batch (a first). #The next batch he's thinking about installing Waverly tuners. #I live in Cincy where the authorized dealer is located and have played quite a few of these over the last couple of years. Oh...the prices have been steadily creeping up, just like everyone else. #71 cost me around $2900...new ones are selling about $4800.

[Flatpick]

Thanks a bunch. Great feedback. I wanna give one a try. I'd like to play one first to get a feel for the Luthier. Check construction and finish. I'm going with a Varish finish this time. I'm planing a trip to the Wapakoneta Ohio to see what's in stock at the Famous Old Time Music Company. I'm not closing my eyes to other brands. WHo knows, maybe a custom made is in order.

Thanks again.... Flatpick http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[garryh]

Yea, Famous Old Time has two locations. Forgot about the Wapakoneta location. Call them first before you make the trip. They occasionally get Smith Creek trade-ins but new ones have a one year waiting list last time I checked.

[Flatpick]

I live in Michigan so it was the closest location. Cicy would be better?
Flatpick

[garryh]

If you call ahead of your visit they will take whatever you want to see to the location of your choice.

[Flatpick]

Excellent. I appreciate the info. Sounds like you have been there before.
Flatpick

[Flatpick]

I'm not saying I'm ready to buy, but the Tone and Feel of a great instrument will make you do funny things.

Flatpick

Does anyone have a photos of their smith creek mandolin? I seriously love how they look.

[Flatpick]

Yea, lets see those Smith Creek Mandolins.

Flatpick

[Scotti Adams]

..ok here ya go

[Scotti Adams]

and..

[Scotti Adams]

and..

[Scotti Adams]

..and this..

[Scotti Adams]

..last one

[Scotti Adams]

..all pics courtesy of Vernon McIntyres Famous Old Time Music...

[Bradley]

Here you go

[Bradley]

and another

[Bradley]

And finally....

Sorry for the quality of the pix, but it will give you an idea.Mine was Number 79 which was signed Feb'03

[garryh]

Here's another....

Oh wow keep those pics coming, this is really neat.

[Flatpick]

Great pics...thanks... Flatpick

[Joe F]

Does that one picture (June 28 2004, 18:40) show a "Smith Creek" inlay on the back of the headstock, or is that part of the stand the instrument is sitting on?

[Flatpick]

Just some info:
# I contacted Kitty at Famous Old Time Music Company in Ohio and she told me that they would get a shipment of Smith Creek Mandolin's hopefully September, but has not a definete date. She said they would receive about 8 and that they were already sold, and that I could put my name on a waiting list. Sounds like their in pretty high demand. I still want to play a few before purchasing one.
# I ask Kitty about Rhonda Vincent's Smith Creek and she said that Rhonda bought the one that used to be hers, I thought that was pretty nice of Kitty to give up her handpicked Mandolin. She misses it.

Here's a shot of one I found on the net....

# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #Flatpick

[Scotti Adams]

Does that one picture (June 28 2004, 18:40) show a "Smith Creek" inlay on the back of the headstock, or is that part of the stand the instrument is sitting on?
..yep..its inlaid in there..

[Christopher Standridge]

Hey Greg Fisher, where are you at??? This guy wants some feedback on these Smith Creeks and Greg is one picker that is surely qualified to give some critical info.

[ericwall]

I seem to remember that Greg had problems with his SC. Top sinking I think. Last I heard, he was thinking of Wayne Henderson retopping his instrument.

[Scotti Adams]

..yea..Greg had contacted me and told me the same thing and that he and Dave Smith couldnt reach an agreement on getting it repaired. Seems to me that Dave wouldnt do it...I dont know the reason why. But the last time we talked I think he said that they had reached an agreement. He also told me that he had 2 (dare I say it) BRWs on order too...I havent had any contact with him for awhile now...I do remember he was very miffed about the top sinking and the builder not standing behind his work. I trust its all worked out now because Smith Creeks are good mandos...I would have had one if I would have stayed on the list....I didnt want to wait that long at the time.

[Bradley]

I am going to get shot for this.......But as a former Smith Creek owner I will say....

As much as I got tired of the BRW thread (sorry Scotti),I recently got to see 2 BRW's from a friend on the Board.They are definetly in the price range of the Smith Creeks and lets just say they deserve a look at for any buyer looking to spend in the price range mentioned.

Disclaimer;I am not promoting these for any reason other than my personal opinion.A good product deserves a good review.

[Scotti Adams]

..Thanks Pearl...no need to apologize..we just call them as we see them..and they are about $1000 cheaper..that friend wouldnt be Garry would it?...now back to the topic of Smith Creek.. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[RI Jim]

Hey there all, what a great way to start the week, finding a discussion on Smith Creeks ! I have no financial interest in the things, but Dave has become a friend and i definetly have a personal interest in the discussion going on here.First of all Dave builds a great mandolin, and he'll stand by that instrument without a doubt. I know the story of the sunken top and i'll go on record as saying i would have turned it away as well, but that's a hard call for any luthier to make. There is a lot more to that instrument than will probably be discussed.
# # Dave is also one of the easiest and #most down to earth #guys in the world to deal with and to talk with...... his client list i think proves that !
# # I consider myself VERY fortunate to be able to spend some time talking to him and jumping in the car and heading over there. After building Mandolins for years, he's showing me all new things that prove there are so many ways to build these things ! One of the best visits to his shop was when he showed me how to make a proper mortise and tenon joint, with only hand tools of course, for a Georgous work bench he's building.......... while listening to Prince ! I LOVED it !

Enough babble, on to a few pictures !!
# #

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[RI Jim]

Mighty Fine Indeed !

[RI Jim]

I'm not sure if this one is going to show detail or not, but rest assured the inlay was insane !! On a black faced, blonde body no less ! Oh yeah, this one has Herringbone binding on the SIDE of the instrument !!

[RI Jim]

You always save the best for last!

PS These pictures were taken while Dave was cutting the nuts which is why there is some dust on the peghead shot and also why the nut is so dang wide in the Fingerboard shot, so no, that instrument didn't have a 1 7/8 nut ! < G >

[Flatpick]

Very nice shots RI Jim. Where is Dave's shop located? I would like to visit it some time and talk one on one with him. Beautiful work. Thanks for the pics.

Flatpick

[Bradley]

[QUOTE]while listening to Prince !

Pure Blasphemy !!
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Flatpick]

I wonder how hard it would be to play "Purple Rain" on a Mandolin..... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif