View Full Version : Charles Horner
flatwound
Aug-31-2004, 5:17pm
I have played one Horner mandolin and I think it was lacquer.
How is the sound, playability, fit and finish of a Charles Horner mandolin?
thanks,
LJ
Played some that were killer and some not so killer. Just have to find the right one.
sgarrity
Aug-31-2004, 8:35pm
I've played one. I thought it was decent sounding and had a decent fit and finish to it. The wood on the 2 that I have seen has been amazing. But neither had truss rods. Does he use carbon fiber in the necks?
Shaun
I own one of the FEW "A"'s Charles built. I love it. Got it thru Chas. Johnson at Philadelphia Guitar(!) Show four years ago. It blew away two large table/displays of quite "high-end" Gibsons, Flatirons and others too numerous to mention. Made a visit to Mr. Horner. He told me he originally sold that one to Aubrey Haney(sp.).. - also said Adam Steffy - at one time - owned one of his mandos ; we talked fiddles ; he causally mentioned that Bobby Hicks has/had one of his fiddles - Good credentials..., I think so. At that time - 'bout three years ago, Mr. Horner had about 4-5 F's in various stages of completion - he offered me a finished one for $2500!! Probably couldn't touch it for THAT price now... That's my experience with Horner mandos...., and Mr. Horner. Can't speak for his "other' mandos - but I love mine! - I sold a Flatiron Artist that I bought NEW & kept for 4(!) years - NEVER "opened-up" - Got drunk one night and threatened to "age" it in a friend's microwave ; fortunitely, my "friend" got the Flatiron outta' my reach. Eventually sold it for $1500 - paid $3K for it orig. I wouldn't trade my Horner for 2(!) Flatirons - haven't found or played an "A" that'll come close to it - AND it'll give many "high-end" F's a run for their money..,tone and "Bark"... Sorry to rattle on. "Your mileage may VARY".... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif
Gruhn's has or had a Horner and it compared really really well with the others on the wall. What it lacked in fit and finish it more than made up with in tone.
His mando's are really good, that I have played. I'll be selling one of his F5's soon to finance MAS. Great punch and quite loud.
I have 2 both are great mandolins. Really don't have to take a back seat to the higher end mandolins.