What's up with Smith Creek mandos?

I have not seen anyone post anything about them for awhile. I went to the Famous Oldtime Music Company site and they are no longer advertizing that they sell them. They use to have a whole page about them. Does anyone know what is going on?

[AlanN]

All I know, it's a superior F5. Marc from the Gibson Brothers picks on one and it's a fine mandolin.

I know people think they are good mandolins. I was thinking of trying to get one. When I checked the website and found the link dead to info for the mandolins I thought maybe someone would know what was up. I checked the site yesterday and they are closed Sunday and Monday so I couldn't talk to anyone there about it.

[Jacob]

You might try contacting Dave Smith at the Smith Creek Mandolin website (http://smithcreekmandolin.com/) if you haven't done so already.
From the website: "Please contact me directly to place an order. I am currently taking orders for mandolins that I estimate will be completed in July, 2005."

Thanks for the info. It looks like he decided to cut out the middleman.

[chirorehab]

My friend recently bought a Smith Creek from David (of the Gibson brothers)... He loves it!

[mandopete]

Heard a rumor that Rhonda Vincent is playing a Smith Creek these days - can anyone confirm?

[Scotti Adams]

yup...she is..consider it confirmed..

[dj9124]

Vern McIntire who owns Old Time Music store was at a bluegrass festival I attended over the weekend and he had 2 or 3 Smith Creek mandos for sale. I guess they must be the last of his stock.
Dave

[mandopete]

yup...she is..consider it confirmed..
Well if that's the case, I would say it sounded pretty good when I heard her play last summer!

[Scotti Adams]

..Rhonda bought Vernons wife, Kitty, personal Smith Creek mando...it was a real good'n....now Vernon has one of his own that is an absolute monster....I initially was going to buy a Smith Creek back before the BRW thing...but I was too late for the current list and I didnt feel like waiting for my turn on the second list....Great Mandos.

[garryh]

Just sent Dave an email to find out the details. The one I ordered is suppose to be in this batch!!!

[garryh]

Got a response back from Dave Smith. #Turns out that severing the relationship with Famous Old Time Music was strictly a business decision. #Dave has been pretty successful in the last year or so promoting his product on his own and he decided to join the large group of independant luthiers that sell their mandos via their own web sites. #Dave told me that he already has deposits on 5 of his July 2005 build. #Since he only makes 12 mandos per batch, looks like he'll have no trouble selling out this litter before the delivery date.

[Scotti Adams]

Hey Garry..where the world ya been?....havent seen much out of you lately..I agree with Dave on this one...I never seen a reason why he couldnt do it all himself....build and sell. He builds a fine product that sells on that merit alone.

[garryh]

Hi Scotti,
Been under the weather lately with some kind of upper respiratory thing...Had me down for 3 weeks!! Looks like Dave has decided to crank his prices like alot of other builders are doing. Bought my first SC in 2002 for $2700...his current price listed on his web site is $6200..Wow!!! Kinda makes Gibson's price increase pale in comparison. This last batch of mandos will be delivered to FOTM any day now. Looks like my order was screwed up so I may not buy the one I have on order. Have to see how they look, play and sound. Any commitments from Ben on your new varnish F5?

[Scotti Adams]

we are looking at mid October probably..you can see pics of it in the white in the Mandos in Progress section. I hope your feelin better now...those respitory things arent good to deal with.