Altman F5T...anybody played this.... [Archive]

majorbanjo

Dec-05-2009, 2:28pm

http://www.themandolinstore.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idProduct=9019

Anybody played this understated Altman model.....looks almost like a Jam Master/or older F9 gibson...it's oil varnished/red spruce top...looks real nice.....

Chris Biorkman

Dec-05-2009, 2:39pm

I know some may disagree with me, but I have no idea why in the world a high-end builder like Bob Altman would put out a mandolin like this. Sure it makes it more accessible to people who wouldn't normally be able to afford one of his F styles, but I think it really cheapens the brand. YMMV.

barry k

Dec-05-2009, 3:28pm

I would be one that disagrees with that statement. Has the Gibson brand been cheapened by the introduction of the F5g, F9 or Jam master series? Those are some of their better sounding boxes.

majorbanjo

Dec-05-2009, 3:44pm

Chris Biorkman

Dec-05-2009, 3:58pm

I would be one that disagrees with that statement. Has the Gibson brand been cheapened by the introduction of the F5g, F9 or Jam master series? Those are some of their better sounding boxes.

Gibson is a mass producer. It's different for them to make instruments at every price point. It's expected of major manufacturers. Also, their brand has been cheapened by quality that is all over the map. Bob Altman is a top tier luthier with an excellent reputation. I just don't understand what is to be gained by making these when he has a wait list on his normal F-5s. To me, it's analagous to when Porsche made the 914.

As for being a mandolin snob, maybe a little. ;)

R. Kane

Dec-05-2009, 4:21pm

Spoken like a true mandolin snob.....:grin:

Major,
You asked for an opinion, and you didn't like the answer, so you called the responder a snob? I happen to agree with Chris. IMO, better to take the Ellis approach and make fully appointed A5s than jam masters. And by the way, you need a bigger fish:)
RK

Sadee

Dec-05-2009, 4:40pm

I don't see what the big deal is. Sim Daley has an economy model.

majorbanjo

Dec-05-2009, 5:18pm

Major,
You asked for an opinion, and you didn't like the answer, so you called the responder a snob? I happen to agree with Chris. IMO, better to take the Ellis approach and make fully appointed A5s than jam masters. And by the way, you need a bigger fish:)
RK

I was poking fun.....it's just a mandolin....not anything important like say.....fishing.....:)

G. Fisher

Dec-05-2009, 5:18pm

I think $7,000 for a mandolin minimal appointments seems overpriced to me.

Chris Biorkman

Dec-05-2009, 5:22pm

I think $7,000 for a mandolin minimal appointments seems overpriced to me.

Especially when you can get a fully appointed used Altman F-5 for only a little more than that, based on what I've seen them go for recently in the classifieds. I think four or five grand would be a more fair price.

majorbanjo

Dec-05-2009, 5:22pm

And by the way, you need a bigger fish:)
RK

http://www.banjohangout.ws/banjohangout.org/storage/photos/large/1025-32032181262008.jpg

http://www.banjohangout.ws/banjohangout.org/storage/photos/large/1025-11832181262008.jpg

Of course the avatar is big for a speckled trout....

Chris Biorkman

Dec-05-2009, 5:23pm

I was poking fun.....it's just a mandolin....not anything important like say.....fishing.....:)

I didn't take any offense to your statement. Now if you had omitted the smiley, then I'd be pissed. ;)

majorbanjo

Dec-05-2009, 5:24pm

I think $7,000 for a mandolin minimal appointments seems overpriced to me.

I ain't about the bling....it's about the tone....if it sounds like one of his fully dressed F5s then I'll be first in line......

sgarrity

Dec-05-2009, 5:38pm

I'd have to want an Altman really bad to pay $7k for that. There are a lot of really nice, fully appointed F5s available for that much dough. I do really like the looks of it but it would need to be in the $5500-6000 range to get my attention. The Ellis A5s on the other hand are a screamin' bargain!

Chris Biorkman

Dec-05-2009, 5:52pm

I ain't about the bling....it's about the tone....if it sounds like one of his fully dressed F5s then I'll be first in line......

If it ain't about bling, you should get yourself an A-model and save yourself a few grand.

R. Kane

Dec-05-2009, 5:55pm

Maj,

I agree fishing IS more important than mandolins. Tight lines, RK

J.Albert

Dec-05-2009, 9:15pm

RE:
"I know some may disagree with me, but I have no idea why in the world a high-end builder like Bob Altman would put out a mandolin like this. Sure it makes it more accessible to people who wouldn't normally be able to afford one of his F styles, but I think it really cheapens the brand."

Probably for the same reason that Gibson brought out the Jam Master models - that is, to have something to offer when sales of the "higher-priced models" may not be doing so well.

Esthetically, the instrument is very nice, especially the back and the coloration. It could probably have used a small inlay on the peghead besides the name.

It's priced to high, though - even considering that it has a varnish finish.

$5,000-5,500 and I'll bet he could sell a few of them.

At $7,000, though, it may take a while to move.

John Malayter

Dec-06-2009, 6:26am

I was excited to see an Altman at the MS, my first reaction was to buy it. However after that wore off and after more careful examination it looks like a Collings MT or Jam Master, very very simple look. I asked myself, Self would this sound $3500 better than a Collings MT?????:))

I would assume it sounds good, or should I say I HOPE it would sound good for that money. But the appointments IMHO just don't lend themselves to such a large price tag. :whistling:

Just my 2c

JM

sgarrity

Dec-07-2009, 7:45am

Look what showed up in the classifieds.....NFI and all that stuff....

Chris Biorkman

Dec-07-2009, 10:11am

For only $500 more than the model being discussed in this thread you get all the bells and whistles.

sachmo63

Dec-07-2009, 1:12pm

The price has been lowered to 5,999.00.

You think the MS read these posts ;)

The Mandolin Store

Dec-07-2009, 4:26pm

You bet we keep an eye on what's going on. I was on the fence about where to price it. Quite franky small builder pieces are more difficult for retailers to handle as the profit margins are smaller. I figure since the deluxe model was nearly $10k............well this one should be about $6999 - so that's where Bob and I decided to retail it. Yes, you give up Waverlys, headstock inlays, and a little binding, but it takes just as long to build it and that's where the real cost of the instrument is..............not the fluff. It sounds incredible just like all of Bob's mandos I have played. As for the value..................well ultimately the mandolin communinty will decide that but for now, it's $5999. I'll try and get a sound clip posted of it this week
Thanks

sachmo63

Dec-08-2009, 10:47am

Dennis, thanks for the post. There's no doubt your a class ack and I believe the overwhelming concensus of your store is very positive.

We were all pretty suprised with the original price tag, maybe it'll move quicly with the new pricing.

I'm sure this mandolin will make someone very happy.

doc holiday

Dec-08-2009, 11:57am

Just to offer a different perspective, as a guitar player I'm a big fan of the simple appointments of old Martin D-18s. To come back to the economy, I know high end mandolin builders aren't having their doors knocked down by buyers. Kudos to Bob Altman for offering a varnish F style. It's not a Jam Master or a Collings MT. As much as I like them, it's not an Ellis A. When you look at well known builder Fs for 10-17k, even 7 for a simply appointed Altman is a screaming deal, and at 5,999 it someone's Christmas gift to great tone
:popcorn:

sgarrity

Dec-08-2009, 6:18pm

There is a sound clip up now. That's a good sounding mandolin. It'll make someone a very happy picker!

Philphool

Dec-08-2009, 8:17pm

Chris Biorkman

Dec-08-2009, 8:37pm

Sounds really nice, Dennis.

sunterrace

Dec-12-2009, 10:25am

hey guys, new to the cafe. just picked up the altman F-5T from the guys at the mandolin store. i was there in person almost all day. i had my search narrowed down to the arches f (beautiful!!!) and the weber coyote (buckskin.) i decided against the arches because of the sound. don't get me wrong, it sounded great, just not what i was looking for. the highs were very strong and bright, which i loved. the lows sounded good too, just different. they didn't have that low woody, "bark" that the weber had. but then i started considering the altman. although it cost quite a bit more than i wanted to spend, i did it anyway. i thought, ten years from now will i have regretted not getting it? the answer was a resounding "YES!" this instrument is so dynamic. it had the highs of the arches and the lows of the weber, except everything is just much sweeter in tone. a very powerful instrument. i'm away from home for a few weeks but when i get back in jan i'll post some pictures. thanks to the mandolinstore guys in wickenburg for all the help and patience! they were great.

sunterrace

Dec-12-2009, 10:27am

forgot to say! anyone looking at the weber coyotes they have there-i played all of them. good stuff. wonderful tone, excellent intonation, and great feel. this is what i would've gotten if the altman wasn't there.

sachmo63

Dec-12-2009, 2:16pm

did you get a chance to play the diamond back and how was it different from the coyote's?

When you say the arches was different, could you explain?

doc holiday

Dec-12-2009, 2:51pm

Excellent choice. At last someone played it and it spoke to them. And we all know there's no tone in "bling."

sgarrity

Dec-12-2009, 3:33pm

Congratulations and great choice. Enjoy the music it will bring you!

majorbanjo

Dec-12-2009, 5:05pm

Great News.......enjoy the mandolin......I guess that answers my original question......:-) I need to get up to Colbert to see Mr. Altman.......

f#54

Dec-12-2009, 5:42pm

The sound clip on the MS website of this mandolin sounds great to me. I would have bought it too except...I bought a Collings MF that except for the binding on the back and the Altman label looks just like it. As far as sound that sound clip sounds like my mando, I'm sure it barks too. Does any one else's Mf sound like that? Im glad mine does, you done good Sunterrace.

Links

Dec-14-2009, 10:19am

I agree that the price seems high, but for all of those that measure mandolins strictly by tone and playability why should it matter if you are basically getting the same mandolin without the appointments. Quite frankly, I turned down a couple of his mandolins several years ago when they were in the $3500 range because I did not think they were particularly great sounding instruments. I have been quite reluctant to mention that on this site, since it is just about unanimous that they are great mandolins, I figured that I was the one that was "wrong" - probably am! On the other hand some of his first mandolins may not have been outstanding, What I did like, and is very importmant to me, was the craftmanship, which I thought was superb. In retrospect, I guess I should have bought those mandolins and waited to see if the tone developed!

sunterrace

Dec-14-2009, 8:23pm

sachmo63,

you asked about the arches. the main difference was in the lows. it did not have a woody tone like the altman did. it was a bit more brighter and more "metallic." again this is only in the lows. both had real nice highs, very clear, loud, and bright. in no way do i mean to say the arches sounded bad though. all three of us in the shop agreed it sounded beautiful. i guess it just depends on what you're looking for. also, from what dennis was saying, the arches won't be around for long, so if one were interested they should snatch it now. god, was it beautiful though!