This should be interesting.......

Dude (http://www.mandolincafe.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.cgi?search_and_display_db_button=on&db_id=10769&query=retrieval)


Hmmmmm.........investment potential or lunacy?.......Frankly I dunno, it could go either way....comments anyone?

No slight intended to the owner Dr Darrow. This is quite interesting & a very high quality mando no doubt.

After some careful thought. I'm leaning towards investment potential.............

[grandmainger]

$17K though... I mean, if you go for investment, how much more would one pay for an A...
I really really really want nonetheless http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Eric F.]

Dale, I tend to think it's lunacy ... but I still want it!

[evanreilly]

The products from the Dude's workbench rarely come onto the secondary market. Chris Thile sold his first; regretted it & paid a premium to get that one back.
I've played Dudes; it isn't hype!! They guy doesn't even have a website now!!! And he isn't taking orders, either.

[mandomick]

I remember the spirited discussion that took place when one of his F styles was offered up for 30k. That guy got his price in a day or two if I remember correctly and I'm bettin' that this one won't last much longer.

[mandoJeremy]

It is still hyped up Dale! #That's just my opinion and I have stated many, many, many times on this site that without Thile Lynn would just be "another" builder and there is NO way that an A is going to command 17K from me regardless of whose name is on it! #I am not taking anything away from Lynn at all but I think he would probably agree somewhere deep down inside (it's called getting a major break in your career!). #If you build a great mando that is great, you BETTER put it in great hands. #It is! #I have played Dudes and I can tell you that I liked some of the mandos I played at OAI Gibson much better. #Realize this: #Thile will pull his tone on anything he picks up. #He is the same as Steffey; listen to the different recordings over the last 20 years and quite a few different mandos and he still sounds like Steffey. #Your tone is all yours. #If your "tone" can be attributed to a particular mandolin and a price put on it I guess it is good for the builder. #Thile still had the same tone on his Gibson years ago and it wasn't quite as deep on his first CD but he has just matured as a musician and it is that simple, plus constantly changing picks. Tone is much more affected by picks than most people think and you will notice that Thile keeps experimenting and going with heavier gauges!

[Bradley]

Great Post MandoJeremy.....

I agree whole heartedly.

[Tom C]

The Dr strikes again with another great mando.I agree with you mandoJeremy, but there are many people out there with alot of money where 17K is not much to them.
If they want it now, they will buy it.

[ethanopia]

I think it is kind of funny that an instrument, which from across the camp fire you might mistake for a Gibson A9 is 17,000 doallrs?

Isn't that like building a Ferrari that looks like a Honda Accord?

I'm sure it is a great instrument, and sounds and plays excellent though...

Well, I'd feel better about someone giving $17K for that Dude than I would about someone that bought a A5L from the Gibson Bluegrass Showcase with a list price of $3828............ http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[AlanN]

Heck, across the campfire, a loar looks like a kentucky
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Rob Powell]

Jeremy,

Hyped up price? Sure, I doubt Lynn charges that much even now but the thing is, you can't get one at any price at the moment unless you are already in the queue.

It seems your position on price is purely subjective, that is, what YOU would pay and I agree that you can find really good sounding, high quality mandos and never approach 5 figures and even some for under a grand. What YOU or anyone pays SHOULD be purely subjective.

I'm sure it will go for the price. I commend the Dr for not getting this in a bidding war as I suspect the first 17k gets it.

If I had the money, I'd buy it because Lynn is such a gentleman and a fine builder. Hey, you could say someone is willing to pay the money to jump to the front of the line http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

I have played that mandolin I believe when I was at Lynn's Last year or the year before last? It is probably one of Lynn's finest. It also has a Virzi I believe if I remember correctly. The pics do not do it justice. As for $17,000 dunno. I told Marc if I was him I would keep that one to hold on to even if it is an A.

[Chris Baird]

I remember that mandolin when the "Dude" Gallery was still up. It is a beauty. I really like the instruments that have all thier flair in the workmanship and not from elaborate inlay and pyschodelic woods. Anyway, it is hard for 99% of us to know what a Dude is worth because the secondary markert it very small and exclusive(generally). Which says a lot for Lynn's work because he is not getting those prices for himself. Seems if the mandolins weren't extrememly captivating you'd see a lot of folks cashing in on the difference between what Lynn charged and what the mandolin is worth on the secondary market. The benchmark for expensive stringed instruments is always set by violins. Many of the new master built violins of today are going for $15k-$30+K. Is not the mandolin comparable to the violin?

Also, Does anyone know where I can see some pics of Lynn's works beside the building photos?

[Bill James]

without Thile Lynn would just be "another" builder

There are other reasons why he's not just another builder. Remember, Thile picked him BECAUSE he was not just another builder.

Why is that so hard to accept? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[grandmainger]

without Thile Lynn would just be "another" builder

There are other reasons why he's not just another builder. Remember, Thile picked him BECAUSE he was not just another builder.
Yes, but the real question is: which came first... the chicken or the egg... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif ?

[Jim Garber]

My question has to do with the seller. He has consistently sold some of the finest mandolins out there including Gilchrists, Monteleones and now a Dude. Is he a dealer or a player who happenes to have lots of money but has not found his sound yet.

Just curious...

Jim

[FrankenMouse]

Sold! That was quick.

Dr Darrow is not a professional mandolin dealer. Just a self-confessed mandolin addict, with particularly good (and expensive!) taste.

[grandmainger]

How much does a Dude cost new (regardless of waiting list etc...). If Lynn took an order today for a regular F, how much would that actually cost? Not that I'm planning to get one anyday soon, but I'm just curious...

just talked to Doc.. Its not sold and still for sale

Frankenmouse......Grrrrr......you must of been looking at that Apitius! Which didn't last long BTW.......

[Tom C]

Who has actually played Chris T's mando?-I know some of you have.

At the symposium all the instructors played together. Chris gave off about 1/2 the volumn as the other pickers so he's either.....
a) playing very very softly - Which, can you hear differences as much when played
so softly?
b)Chris plays with more umph than we think but the mando is not what it is hyped
up to be.
Picker or mando?

[mandoJeremy]

Bill, let me state it once again. #I think Lynn's work is GREAT and my post is not meant to cut down Lynn in any way! #I was saying that Thile is the reason the used market is so crazy about Dudes, not new ones and the reason Dudenbostel became a household mandolin name in the mando world almost overnight. #I had never heard of them before Thile got his. #Had you? #And yes Thile did pick him. #Why? #Well let's see, he picked up a mando that perfectly suited him, his ears, and felt great. #The same reason all of us buy our particular mandolin.

[Jim Garber]

Dr Darrow is not a professional mandolin dealer. Just a self-confessed mandolin addict, with particularly good (and expensive!) taste.
So... after getting rid of all these high quality, top of the mine mandolins, what is his main playing instrument? I would also assume that he has at least one Loar.

Jim

[Chris Baird]

I wholely agree that folks do not give credit to the playes who choose their mandolins. It seems folks assume that a mandolin is great not before but after a great player chooses it. That is not the case and is an illogical conclusion. A great player chooses a mandolin because it too is great, in and of itself. Thile probably knows more about mandolin playing and tone than 99% of mandolin players. That makes him an authority on the matter. If one studies authoratative behaviour (A frequent hot topic in phsycology) one would find that it is very natural for everyone to seek out authorities and to hing thier limite knowledge on that persons expertise. In other words it means a lot that Thile choose Lynn. It means that Thiles mandolin is the best Thile has been able to get his hands on. The question in my opinion is whether Lynn has continued to produce mandolins in the class of Thiles'. Hard to say but if you count the $s as votes it seems he has maintained himself as an elite builder. And I believe an elite builder should command very high prices for his/her work.

[FrankenMouse]

Oops! Sorry about that. Don't know what I was looking at. Time for another coffee, and maybe some eye drops.

Though I believe he owns a '24 Loar, Dr Darrow's primary instrument is rumoured to be a Johnson. He's selling off his stable to fund a banjo purchase.

[Jim Garber]

Though I believe he owns a '24 Loar, Dr Darrow's primary instrument is rumoured to be a Johnson. He's selling off his stable to fund a banjo purchase.
That is a joke, right?

Jim

[FrankenMouse]

Yes, just being goofy. I don't know the answer, and in any event I should let Marc answer himself, if he feels so inclined.

[Rob Powell]

Can't tell fer sure but don't look like a Johnson or a banjer to me...

[FrankenMouse]

Yeahhh, what is that anyway??

[romkeymm]

My kid (who I'm logged in as, because he won't keep his hands off my iBook) played Chris' Dude at the Symposium. He said it was the best-sounding mandolin he's every touched -- but I wouldn't regard that comment as particularly unbiased! I didn't play it but heard it up close plenty. It did sound pretty darned good, but then Chris has incredible touch. I did play some wonderful Gilchrists. Can't afford those either! Somebody told me they were X-braced, which is kind of surprising, if it's true.

[Greg Saer]

For what its worth... #I bought a mandolin from Marc and found him to be a real class act. #He was knowledgeable and generous with him time. #As far as the price , I think it would cost you less to own this one for a few years then it would to own a Gibson Master Model. #Since the maker no longer takes orders(for now) , #I think this mandolin will not devalue over the next few years and has as good a chance of any as appreciating in price. #A master model bought at 12 or 13k is worth 8 or 9k shortly after purchase, so that in essence costs more (5k) to own. #Of course above all of this is the tone and playability and I would have to say that the Dudenbostals I have heard are among the finest mandolins I have ever heard. And the build quality is unsurpassed. Just my opinion.

[JimRichter]

I've admired Dr. Marc's mando listings for quite awhile and almost bought a Hutto from him about a year ago (just couldn't get by the third point on the mando). Anycase, I was curious about the photo posted of Dr. Darrow with mando in hand so I did a web search on him. I found that picture of him as well as this one.

Jim

[Gail Hester]

Interesting discussion. Can't afford it but the Dude's worth it, IMHO. This was one mandolin that Marc was going to keep for himself so I'm surprised he's selling it.

I'm jumping in here to say that I found DR. MARC DARROW to be very honest, trustworthy and a class act. I have had mandolin dealings with him and he is "the man" IMO so don't hesitate to call him if he has something you like. No financial interest, just think Marc is a great guy to deal with.

-Chuck

[SternART]

First off, Lynn Dudenbostel builds fabulous instruments......I previously owned #3 but sold it when I needed funds for my business.....also sold a Gilchrist. This was before they were both selling for over $20k. Guess if I had a crystal ball, I would have kept them both & taken out a bank loan instead. I've played 6 of the Dude F5's........all were great instruments..... BUT.....#5, the one Chis plays most, the one he had on loan & bought back.......now that is a killer Dudenbostel. I don't know if it is because Chris with his youthful exuberance whupped tone into it, in the coupla years it was on loan, while he was waiting for his to be built.....or if there was some special Englemann top that has been carved just right..... but that mandolin is "special". Just like all Gilchrist's aren't equal, or all Loars are not equal.....that is one amazing sounding mandolin. I'm sure with a few twists up on the bridge action & a player with a stronger attack Dude #5 would rock the house. It is a 'pick of the litter" Dudenbostel. One hell of a mandolin!!!

[luckylarue]

IT MUST BE NICE TO BUY AND SELL THE NICEST MANDOS AT THE HIGHEST PRICES - IT JUST SEEMS A BIT EXCESSIVE TO ME. CAN THE GOOD DOCTOR REALLY PLAY IS MY QUESTION?

[evanreilly]

I made an error in my prior post regarding Chris Thile 're-purchasing' his Dude. He had borrowed Dude #5 from Lynn pending Lynn's completion of his own (Chris') Dude, #14. When Chris received #14, he returned the 'loaner', which Lynn subsequently sold.
When #5 came up for resale later, Chris bought that one.

Now, I'd like to share a bit of a personal attestation to the Work of the Dude. It shows the same technical expertise that has gained him his well-deserved reputation as a luthier.

Several years ago, I asked Charlie Derrington about him undertaking the restoration of my 1924 F-4. Charlie told me he was too busy with OAI to do any work on the side and told me there were only two other individuals he would recommend; one in Australia and the other in Knoxville, TN.

After a series of email exchanges with Lynn, he agreed to undertake the project. We agreed not to restore the instrument to 'mint' condition, but to give it a much-needed overhaul & repair.

Here is the 'Before' picture of the top:

[pickinNgrinnin]

[QUOTE]Who has actually played Chris T's mando?-I know some of you have.

I had a chance to play #5 a few days before Chris bought it back. Best Mando I've played http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

The Law Doc sure is consistent. Always seems to have top of the line stuff!

[JeffS]

Wow, that F4 has character. Is there an after picture yet?

[mandoJeremy]

"Best mando I've played"http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif # How many have you played? #I think part of it is the mystique that surrounds that particular mando. #The first time I played Bush's Hoss I thought it was the greatest ever mentally but I did realize it was pretty quiet and that it made me sound exactly like Bush! #But, it was "STILL BUSH'S MANDOLIN!" I loved it but I expected more and then I realized that Bush is the one that makes it sound that way. #Give Bush my Bush model and it will sound just like him, give Thile my Bush model and it will still sound like Thile. #95% of it is in your head and your perception. #That mystique is all mental in the fact that you are playing "THAT" mandolin! #I guess some would characterize it as being "star struck".

[evanreilly]

The 'After' picture:
Dude did great!!!

[mandoJeremy]

Great job...the sunburst on the right of the pic should have came a little further out but hey I am a perfectionist! But still, the work is great by Lynn but it is still a Gibson!!!!! Where is the perfect sound.....I am still guessing at Gibson especailly by today's workers there. Okay, I am just going to shut up now before I dig another hole. The fact is that the standard everyone looks for is a Gibson sound and they model it off of that!

"CAN THE GOOD DOCTOR REALLY PLAY IS MY QUESTION"

I would request that you folks leave the personal remarks & questions out of this. This thread is about the Dude A...not the owner of it. I consider the above question out of line & in poor taste........

[evanreilly]

Yeah, it is still a Gibson; it isn't a Dude mandolin. But it was good enough for Pee Wee Lambert to play. See the Mandolin Archives (http://www.mandolinarchive.com/perl/show_mando.pl?2800) for a picture of Pee Wee playing #78532.
Of course, he had fewer choices in top-of-the-line mandolins then.

[mandopete]

Heck, across the campfire, a loar looks like a kentucky
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
...but in the campfire it looks like firewood!

[Mando Medic]

I owned Dude F-5 #9 and did also get to play Chris's Dude. I regret that I ever sold that mandolin. The fit and finish were perfect and so was the tone and volume. Lynn, build me another, I promise I'll never sell it. Please? Kenc

[64lusso]

Back to this particular A once more. I own Dude #11 and had asked Lynn to let me know when he had a spot for an A available. I think this one was made for someone who either couldn't afford it when the time came or traded it back to Lynn for some reason. This was last year and I think the price at the time was 12000. I believe the top on this one is from the same piece of wood as Chris' #5 which might have something to do with the current asking price. By the time I got back to Lynn asking some questions it was already on it's way out west.

[Mando Medic]

I believe that #19 was made for a fellow in Eugene Oregon. If it was, then I did some setup work on it and played it. If I recall, the original price was somewhere around $7,000 and watched it sell for $11,000. It was a good sounding A style but hadn't really opened up at all when I had it. Kenc

[pickinNgrinnin]

mando Jeremy- How many have I played? Quite a few over the past 25 years and enough to know when I hear a good one #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

However, I think my Bill Davis is now running a close 2nd. # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Doc wanted me to post these for him .

#2

#3

#3

[grandmainger]

I like it. It looks understatedly plain, in a I-have-a-ferrari-engine-in-my-scooter type of way. Nice wood, nice colour, lovely headstock, but nothing that woud turn heads apart from the people who really know... Very very nice indeed.

Bank Manager: 1 - Germain: Zero http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

[Jeff Hoelter]

Bill, let me state it once again. #I think Lynn's work is GREAT and my post is not meant to cut down Lynn in any way! #I was saying that Thile is the reason the used market is so crazy about Dudes, not new ones and the reason Dudenbostel became a household mandolin name in the mando world almost overnight. #I had never heard of them before Thile got his. #Had you?

Dude did not just appear out of a vacuum. #He was already a well established flattop guitar builder. #His attention to detail was second to none. #In fact, he was (is) one of the most desirable flattop guitar makers out there. #So then he decided to build mandolins. #But instead of hacking something together and getting experience that way, he researched and studied and really did his homework (including being able to examime some Loars). #So when he started building mandolins, it was not like most builders' first mandolin. #Dude took that mandolin to Kaufman Kamp and immediately generated lots of interest and got lots of orders. #This is all pre-Thile mind you. #Of course Thile owning a Dude has done nothing but help the popularity and reputation of these mandolins. #However, I believe even without Thile that Dude would still have a corner on the Loar-replica mandolins.

How I see it, Thile's fans are *generally* younger male and female mandolin players. #Most Dudenbostel owners are *probably* *generally* middle-aged-to-older men who have the $$ to spend. #I've heard that Dudenbostels are the mandolin of choice for Loar owners who don't want to take their Loar on the road with them everywhere. #Makes sense, since Dude is building Loar copies.

Also, someone earlier in the thread mentioned x-bracing...it is my understanding that all Dudenbostels are tone-bars (and some w/virzi). #Someone please correct me if I'm wrong...

Jeff

[Bill Snyder]

The previous mention of x braces was in regards to Gilchrist. Dudenbostels are built with tone bars like the Loars.

[Jeff Hoelter]

The previous mention of x braces was in regards to Gilchrist.

Ah yes you are correct.

Gilchrist has done a lot of x-braced mandolins (Ronnie McCoury's is x-braced I believe) especially back in the early 90s. #I think these days he's mainly doing tone bars.


Jeff

[EasyEd]

Hey All,

From the ad for the Dude A...

[quote]ENGLEMANN SPRUCE TOP, BACK, SIDES, AND NECK OF FLAMED RED MAPLE.]/quote]

I think I see the secret to the Dude's tone! See it says Spruce top, back, sides and (only the) neck of flamed red maple! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Although from the picture above the back is made of funny looking spruce!

Now if I only had that kind of money! I wonder if he'd take Canadian Tire money?

Take Care! -Ed-