Help me find an F style...

[T_Crow]

I have been researching F mandolins on the Cafe here for a few months and have thoroughly enjoyed the community here. #You guys have been very helpful. #

I have narrowed my search to something "Nugget-y" (if that makes sense). #After hearing Scott's "A Place in the Heart" on the MP3 page, I really don't think that it gets much better than that. #That is THE tone to me. #It helps that I really like the tune too!

I'd love to have a Nugget, but really cannot spending that kind of money on a mandolin at this point. #My question is: #Is there a builder out there that makes a mandolin that is in the Nugget vein? #I know that it won't be exactly the same, but are there any mandolins out there that have a similar sound? #

I'm looking to spend around $8,000 for a new one.

Thanks ahead of time for any and all suggestions! # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Holoubek makes a nuggety mandolin. His f5 fern has that nice sustain I've heard in a nugget. And super easy on the left hand.

[onlyagibsonisgoodenuff]

First of all, are we sure this is a Nugget he's playing? Sounds like a Brentrup to me.???

[John Flynn]

I thought all the Collings mandolins were basically Nugget, or Nugget-inspired, designs. They do sound really nice. An MF5 couldn't be too far off the mark for a lot less money.

[JimW]

Nope, that is Scott's Nugget. It's the most woody, throaty sounding mandolin I've heard. T_Crow, I would like to add a Gibson Sam Bush Signature series to your list of mandolins to look at and play. The one I had had that deep, woody growl to it, almost "nuggety" sounding.

Jim

[Cactus Jack]

How about the Collings Tim O'Brien/Nugget A model? They seem to be pretty scarce so far, but you could get on a list....

[onlyagibsonisgoodenuff]

I know he also has a Varnished Fern! Can anyone tell? Scott?http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[JimRichter]

I'd been eyeing any info about the Tim OBrien Collings for awhile, but they are scarce and a tad pricey. Myself, I've been lucky to find a 70's Ome A5. Though it's doubtful that Kemnitzer (Nugget) was hands on in the production (mine is #20), he did set up the shop and the design, as well as supervise the shop for awhile. I don't know where else to find one of these old Omes, but it's worth keeping an eye out for them.

Jim

[T_Crow]

Thanks for the suggestions guys! Good point, it may not even be the Nugget, but it just sounds so darn good I almost assumed it was.

[JimW]

T_Crow, if you're listening to the recording on the MP3 page here at the cafe of "A Place in the Heart", I assure you, it's Scott's Nugget you're listening to. He posted that MP3 for us so we could hear what his Nugget sounded like. I've never been satisfied since. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

To my ear, it's simply got the perfect balance with a throaty growl to it.

Jim Watts

[T_Crow]

JimW,

Maybe I'm just wishing for something that doesn't exist...a less expensive Nugget. That really is THE most amazing mandolin I've ever heard. If it sounds that good recorded, I can only imagine what it sounds like in person!

[Scott Tichenor]

That is indeed my Nugget being played on that cut.

[John Flynn]

This seems like a good place for my Nugget anecdote. I went to a guitar workshop with Bull Harmon of the BG group "Bull Harmon and Bullseye." Bull brought his mando player, Cecil Tinon, along for part of the workshop and Cecil sat right in front of me, playing what I later found out was a Nugget A. I didn't even know about Nuggets at the time. It appeared as though about a 3-inch hole had been bashed in the front of this instrument, just behind the treble bridge foot and just above the treble F hole. This bad spot appeared to have been very clumsily repaired with plastic wood. It wasn't even sanded smooth, the patch had been just kind smeared on. Even with that damage right in the main vibrational area of the top, it was one or the best sounding mandolins I have ever heard. It just blew me away.

[fatt-dad]

I would like to hear Scott's opinion on what non-Nugget mandolins most remind him of his Nugget. I mean, Scott must play alot of unique mandolins and likley has a discriminating ear, so. . . . .

fatt-dad

[Spencer]

The only time I heard Cecil Tinnon live, he was playing a Stew-Mac kit, no-scroll, he made that sound just fine, thank you. He told me that he likes the A style.

Spencer

[mandofiddle]

Maybe a Hilburn? I know Jim has learned some things from mike Kemnitzer (sp?). Perhaps ask Jim what his take is on the similarities and differences in tone between his mandolins and Nugget. He's sure to be honest with you.

[Mteresko]

Wiens!

[cutbait2]

as the mandotasting cd has proven year in and out one can rarely tell who's playing what, lots of variables. i told Ralph Stanleys mando picker that that was a great sounding mando he was playing playing and asked who made it. his reply? "aw man that's just a stewmac kit my cousin made"

[ericwall]

Fletcher Brock! Go to Wintergrass and play'em all!

[Scotti Adams]

..no two Nuggets are going to sound the same as is the case with any mando species you try. You could have them cut from the same tree and they could sound different. You may try brand X at a festival or something and it may have that sound you want...contact the builder..have one made and it may not sound anything like what you wanted. Very few mandos will have "that fat" tone brand new..thats something that has to be played into them. They have to age and mature. You will be a very lucky man if you find a new mando that sounds like Scotts Nugget right off the bat..if you do..you should play the Lottery. My advice is to play alot of mandos..as many brands as you can. Ive played for 30 yrs and Im lucky...when I play one I can tell if its going to have "it" when it comes to a new mando. When it comes to older mandos that have got the mojo...well there is nothing like it.

[troika]

Collings mandos have a great "fat" tone with tons of sustain right out of the box. The dry, immediate tone comes after playing it for a while. They are so unbelievably consistent too. You can get a great used mf-5 pretty cheap. I think I remember seeing one for around 5800 somewhere.

[Scotti Adams]

..theres tone..and then theres Tone..

[mandofiddle]

... and then there's TONE

[Spruce]

Myself, I've been lucky to find a 70's Ome A5. #Though it's doubtful that Kemnitzer (Nugget) was hands on in the production (mine is #20), he did set up the shop and the design, as well as supervise the shop for awhile. #I don't know where else to find one of these old Omes, but it's worth keeping an eye out for them. #
I have a 70's Ome A5 (for sale, by the way) and have yet to see another...

Love to see pics of your's, Jim...

It doesn't quite sound like a Nugget (to stay on topic here), but it is a fine sounding mandolin...

Does your's have a label on it with the serial #? #Mine is unmarked except for the "Ome" on the peghead...

[fatt-dad]

It's interesting to hear of new mandolins every day, but what about the Ome?

f-d

[T_Crow]

I cannot say how much I appreciate the responses here.

I am a recent convert to the world of high-end, handmade madnolins. I have been playing guitar for about 12 years but have decided to persue the mandolin more seriously. Even though they are both stringed instruments, the acoustic guitar and mandolin certainly come from different angles.

To my ear, there are lots of great makers of guitars...Martin, Bourgeois, Collings, etc... Like I've heard around here before, we really are in a "Golden Age" of acoustic instrument builders.

Anyway, thanks for all of theinsight that you guys have provided. I think I'll just wait until I can play more mandolins until I make a decision.

[Scotti Adams]

That Ome is real nice Bruce..

[Hubert Angaiak]

Good luck on your search! This may be off subject... Scott did you specify what tone you were looking for when you ordered your Nugget?

[troika]

Collings, Collings, Collings.

[dryseptember]

Have you ever tried a Givens? I have both a Nugget and a Givens and i like them both, for their tone.

[Scotti Adams]

..Well...shoot me boys..my new Rose has "that" sound being brand spankin new....no lying..Ive had several people call me here of late wanting me to play it over the phone...maybe some of them will chime in...the thing has just got the kahonies....

[Big Joe]

Hey Scotti...I knew a fella that had a case of the Kahonies once. Nearly died from it http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif .

[Ken Waltham]

My advice, for what it's worth.
At the end of the day, all said and done, buy a Gibson. You can't go wrong, it's got "the sound", it's a known quantity, with a known value, known resale if you should ever, and it's the one they all copy.
The new ones are better than ever, and, if you're looking to spend around 8K, there was a varnish Fern in the classifieds that would probably suit any player.
You can never go wrong with the benchmark. It's like a gold standard.
That's been my experience over a lot of years.
Ken

[Greg H.]

The real problem is if you want something that sounds just like Scott's Nugget on a particular recording of Scott's playing then you'll have to find a mandolin that comes with a pair of Scott's hands included. # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Professor PT]

It does not matter what style of mandolin you are looking for. #If you are looking for THE sound check this (http://moonbeammandolins.com/) out. #Don't just take my word for it! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif
Moonbeam again?!!? Please tell me this is a joke!

[Professor PT]

Oh--I just looked at the date on that: I didn't realize this thread was so old! I thought the Moonbeam shill was on again.

[Pete Martin]

That is like saying to a realtor "I'd like to buy a $3,000,000 house for 50,000" Good luck. Save your pennies for a real Nugget.

[wallflower]

Scott's Nugget is a great mandolin. #It's really a treat to play. #Having said that, I've listened to him play a number of different mandolins in the same sitting and he pulls great tone from everything he touches. #Scott is a fantastic musician and player. #I'm sure he could play "A Place in the Heart" on anything and it would sound tremendous. #And that's not to take anything away from his outstanding Nugget, it's just to highlight the more important fact that the player makes the music.

Jeff Bredthauer

[Scotti Adams]

..yep..in more cases than not its the player..not the instrument...Although a good instrument certainly figures highly. A good player knows how to pull tone.

[mandopete]

So this thread was dormant for 6 months and then just pops up again ?

One word - Collings.

[arbarnhart]

Oh--I just looked at the date on that: #I didn't realize this thread was so old! #I thought the Moonbeam shill was on again.
Why is it a shill? I followed the link out of curiousity and it looks like yet another builder; info on where you can do a hands on this weekend at a festival, nice pictures of what look like good mandos, nice comments and their prices seem in line with other custom builders. What is the rest of the story?

[Eric F.]

Oh, someone kept posting about how great Moonbeams were and how Gilchrist himself thought they were the cat's meow and someone else kept saying that after playing and owning all kinds of fine, world-class mandos, it was clear to her that Moonbeam was the best ever and on and on. And it turned out that all these Moonbeam fanciers who kept praising the mandos just as they popped up for sale on eBay or the clasifieds had the same IP address. I don't think anyone ever proved it was Mr. Moonbeam himself, but it was mighty suspicious.

[PatrickH]

I believe that Mandolin Brothers has an Ome A for sale.

Also - I just took delivery this week of a Nugget/Collings Tim O'Brien (#16). I have a Collings MF and a Collings MT (blackface) and The TOB Model does not sound like either of these Mandolins to my ear. The Collings are dry and woody and the TOB is louder, sweeter and more bell-like. At first glance my MT looks much like the TOB but the sound is much different to my ear. Upon closer inspection, the design differences become apparent as well.

All outstanding sounding instruments reflecting top notch craftmanship and I love them all, they are just different. I cannot compare the TOB to other Nuggets as I have no reference point for the classic Nugget sound. I can say I am really loving the sound of the TOB.

For the money (under 2k), I personally don't think it gets much better than a Collings MT.

[MikeB]

For what it is worth, I am friends with the person who recently sold Nugget #100 here at the Cafe. He got close to his asking price of $28,500. I played that mandolin years ago, and have compared all other to it since.

The owner told me that it just got "too expensive to own." He was going to take his money and "buy another mandolin that sounds as good as" that Nugget. He thinks Bill Collings makes "the best mandolins on earth." My guess is that is what he'll end up with.

Just an interesting anecdote....