...we have all had 'em

[mandopluker]

Yes, we have. That special mandolin. Have you had one? Still have it? Let's hear about it. Did you know it was special?

Me:
...hummmmm part of this question I better not answer (at least in public) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif I have a couple I REALLY like, but.

Well I have a really good pickin' buddy that keeps telling me I have one but my head is kinda hard -actually really hard! I keep hanging onto if but have to fight the temptation to let it go. Perhaps I will wake up one day and realize it before it's to late and gone.

[Ivan Kelsall]

My Weber Fern is the finest Mandolin on the planet ! - apart from all the other one that are.I played good & not so good Banjos for over 20 years before i got my Stelling. I got it home,tuned it up & was in Banjo heaven - i still am. I get the same feeling from my Fern
It's beautifully made,faultless workmanship,sounds incredible & is just a total dream to play. If i had a LOT of cash to spare,i'd certainly have a look at other Mandolins with a view to buying another good one,but my Fern stays,whatever. Thinking about it,i'd possibly buy another Weber Fern built to my own spec. (clasps hands together & intones Lottery,lottery,lottery.........),
Saska

[fatt-dad]

That would be my 84 Flatiron A5-1. I need no other (well other than the Hondo in my office, the Romanian "Montana" that I take to the beach, my "pancake" and my A3). If push came to shove though, I'd be just fine with my A5-1.

f-d

[MandoSquirrel]

In the late 1970's - early 1980's, at an auction I bought a 1915 Gibson A2, with back separation, for $50. Professionally repaired & setup, it was a marvelous instrument for a bargain price. Wish I still had it. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[Chris Biorkman]

Shayne, you can't ask a question like that without answering yourself. It's the Dude, isn't it? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Rick Schmidlin]

My MF5 has been around this world with me for the last three years for hard times and good. It has shared special mouments with me and still every morning sounds like it ready for a fresh song with perfect tone and balance. Enough said http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Hammrn]

You're all going to cringe but after making a maple bridge, corian nut and GHS strings, my $50 Rouge is my favorite of the three that I own. The playability isn't as smooth, but the sound coming from this plywood wonder captivates me. It also seems to give greater creativity in notes and runs, the tone and brightness seems strong, #and I am as suprised as anyone how this thing rings!

[jhbaylor]

Shayne, it's got to be the Dude. I sat in front of a pretty good pair of mandolins and mandolin pickers this past saturday at Shindig on the Green. Dude wasn't too bad....Evan, Tom...

[Mikey G]

MM V70446. I still have it, and it for sure is the one (for me.) I had a Gibson F-5L that I really loved, but MAS got a terrible hold on me.

[Mike Snyder]

A hand-carved F5 is a thing of beauty, a true work of art. My hat is off to all the builders that frequent the cafe. My baby is four years and sounds 84, at least to my ears.Cherish the ladies, boys, while you're young and full of vinegar.

[mandopluker]

...very true guys, it is the Dude. Sorry 'bout that I got side-tracked. You know something is special when you talk to folks with vintage mando's and they want the Dude.

[pjlama]

I've had several that were special, currently my Giacomel is pretty darn good a fellow Cafe member that played it summed it up by saying "you can get lost in that mandolin", as is the MM (even though I'm trying to sell it.) My old Ellis was exceptional (really), my old BRW was really something too and my first MM was a revelation. I honestly have been lucky with having some good stuff pass through my hands but, I'm very much a "Love the one you're with" kinda guy. I sometimes pull out my travel mando and think if that's the only one I had I'd be happy with that one, it's a Gibson A5. Quite frankly when playing was an essential part of my living I couldn't afford the best equipment. I'd rely on stuff that did the job as a tool to pay the bills. But to answer the question the Ellis was probably the most special one but I don't regret selling it because I wasn't using it.

[woodwizard]

My Gibson Goldrush is hard to beat. I'm very happy with it. Had plenty of good mando's in the past but this one is the best one so far. From the first time I tuned it up out of the box when it was about 3 or 4 weeks old from the factory actually I could tell it was special. A keeper. I know I'll get other mando's as I've got the oval hole MAS thing going on right now but I'm keeping the Goldrush. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Jonathan Peck]

Well, I don't know if it's special or not, but my favorite would be my Kimble built before Will switched to Loar graduations and right about the time he had a Fern on hand for measurements. It does everything I ask it too and is just getting that hollow log tone. Real smooth player with that classic bluegrass dry woody bottom end and sweet singing highs.

[Weagle]

Love my Ratcliff F model for now. Made in 1983.

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

[Brandon Flynn]

No, we haven't all had them. I haven't.:)

[Denny Gies]

This is going to sound like a broken record but my Randy Wood F5 is more than I could have dreamed of ever owning.

[Ken Olmstead]

My Weber Fern is the finest Mandolin on the planet ! - apart from all the other one that are.I played good & not so good Banjos for over 20 years before i got my Stelling. I got it home,tuned it up & was in Banjo heaven - i still am. I get the same feeling from my Fern
It's beautifully made,faultless workmanship,sounds incredible & is just a total dream to play. If i had a LOT of cash to spare,i'd certainly have a look at other Mandolins with a view to buying another good one,but my Fern stays,whatever. Thinking about it,i'd possibly buy another Weber Fern built to my own spec. (clasps hands together & intones Lottery,lottery,lottery.........),
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # Saska
Second only to mine Saska!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Ivan Kelsall]

Point taken Kenneth,but i'll bet the other Weber Fern owners think the same we can't ALL be wrong. I'll bet 'theBrigadier' thinks his is pretty hot too,
Saska

[Tom Gibson]

I don't think I've had it, but MAS pretty much guarantees I'll keep trying....

[birdman98]

Still workin' on it......