Getting close to the end of my buying and selling.

[red7flag]

Looking at my current roster, two more are going to be sold. The Gibson A2 and the Weber Octar. The A2 is being resplaced by the F4 and the Weber Octar by a Mowry GOM being made now. I currently have a Lebeda Mandola, an Eastman DGM2, and Weber Vintage A for sale. This cuts my mandolin instruments to 4 wonderful instruments. So while the number of instruments has decreased the overall quality has increased. Much of this change came from seeing a number of fine instruments not being played. Not playing instruments is simply unacceptable to me. I am very pleased with those final four. I am assuming that I will love the Mowry GOM being made. Will MAS strike again? Time will tell.....

[jim_n_virginia]

Will MAS strike again? Time will tell.....

You already KNOW the answer to that! :grin:

[Wesley]

More is not always better. I'm approaching the end of my MAS too. It just wouldn't make any sense for me to spend a lot on something like a Gilchrist Dude or Nugget even if I could. I'd have to go pro to justify it. After my next mandolin I'll be done. And yes - I'm sure you've all heard that before.

[cwtwang]

An Ellis F5 and a Mowry octave--what a GREAT pair!

[red7flag]

Yes the Ellis F5 and Mowry GOM are great examples of the modern tradition. The Stanley is a very good example (along with the MM and DMM) of modern builders replicating the (original) Loar sound (there are many others). The F4 is a great example of Gibson workmanship prior to the Loar era and a very different sound (I have fallen in love with both the sound and vibe). I am very fortunate to have such wonderful instruments. Looking forward to the Mowry which will be my first walnut instrument (I did have the pleasure of playing a walnut Gibson RB4 in my banjo days. I stoked the idea of a walnut mandolin type instrument.

[mando_steve]

I'm getting close to the end of my MAS as well. We both have a Stanley so maybe that's the secret. My other mandos pale in comparison to yours though.

[red7flag]

I was just thinking that my instruments strike close to ideals in instruments that I have gained a great measure from the cafe. (Stanley)The (real) Loar sound. (F4)The pre-Loar oval sound. (Ellis)The modern sound. I am not sure where the GOM came from. A lot of the concepts came from participation in the "CBOM" threads. So a big "THANK YOU!" to the cafe for awakening and broadening my knowledge of these wonderful instruments (My neice calls them "little guitars" with a knowing smile).

[Mike Bunting]

We must have similar tastes. My Stanley, Collings MF5 and my A jr cover about the same range. :)