So which would you prefer, blond or black face

[Kevin K]

I've seen some of both that were drop dead beautiful.

Ivorid binding or tortise.

Just wondering.

[SternART]

http://www.smithfowler.org/music/mandolin/smart/

[John Flynn]

Both of the those Smarts look great! I think both kinds of tops can look great if they are done well. But I have seen some blonds where the wood grain just doesn't look good. Also, I don't like it when blackfaces are too mirror-glossy. I think that detracts from the effect. My preference is the blackface. I think that is the coolest finish design going.

[djweiss]

I like blonde's best...

[Kevin K]

The black face with a natural or amber back and sides? with black/white/black binding throughout (top,back,fingerboard,headstock)?

Those Smarts look good but side by side the black face really stands out.

[Big Joe]

We just made a custom mandolin for a service man in Korea with a Black face, Red back and sides (like an F4) with Bush fingerboard. It was drop dead beautiful.

[b.pat]

I think everyone should have BOTH http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Greg H.]

I must confess, I've always had a strong affinity for black face mandolins, though I agree with Mando Johnny that much depends on how well it's done.

[Kevin K]

Joe,

Have you got a picture?

Thanks.

[Flowerpot]

"We just made a custom mandolin for a service man in Korea with a Black face, Red back and sides..."

Wow, what a strange looking guy. What color were his legs?
Oh, you're talking about the mandolin. Seriously, when I first read it, I was thinking the black face referred to the customer, and I was wondering what was going on...

Sounds like a great looking instrument... any pics?

From what I've heard from builders, a black face is much easier than a blonde, cause the wood has to be cosmetically perfect for a blonde, and the black can cover a multitude of sins. One builder I talked to said that most his blackfaced mandolins started out as normal orders and went black when he encountered wood blemishes (or problems with staining). And here I thought they were all planned.

Oh, I guess I didn't answer the poll... I have always secretly coveted a black faced mandolin, all sleek and shiny like a new sports car.

[ShaneJ]

I'm the wierd one, I guess. Black-faced instruments of any kind are my least favorite of all - also including any other color "painted" look. They remind me of that cheap black laquer furniture that the waterbed stores sold back in the 70s & 80s.

OK, I'm ducking now!!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

For me, if it's made out of wood, it ought to look like wood. (My 2nd least favorite finish is the "Gibson" sunburst that's half black.)

[earthsave]

Gentlemen prefer blondes, and so do I. Starting playing on a blonde/natural.

[peter.coombe]

Personally I'm with SJennings, I like the look of natural wood, but then I have access to native woods (hardwood for backs) with lots of natural colours. Nearly all of my mandolins are blonde faced, the Spruce I get from Switzerland is beautiful stuff, definately no need to cover that up with any stain, and wood defects are usually not a problem. Black face mandolins take up a lot more time, and the slightest nick or scratch shines out like a lighthouse so I don't like doing them. Arthur's black faced Smart's are stunning looking instruments so black faced instruments can look great.

[onlyagibsonisgoodenuff]

I think blondes are ok, but they can sometimes look like unfinished furniture if there isn't some color to them. To me, the black is the coolest, kinda classy or formal looking. Sorta like they're dressed in a tuxedo.

[Bob A]

Golden blonde, preferably with wood binding. Enough stain on back/sides to bring out the remarkable grain in the maple. Pearl nut, real pearl buttons (or ebony; no plastic). Gold hardware.

Thanks for asking.

[jim simpson]

Gibson did it for me as far as black faced mandolins and guitars. My favorites are the older ones that show some age. Would it be sacrilage to convert my recently aquired A9 to a black face?

[Bob Sayers]

I've never cared for blonde or mirror black finishes--too cold for my taste. On the other hand, those old Gibsons with their warm amber (pumpkin), black, and red tops are something else entirely. Pretty close to perfection in my book. I'm delighted to hear Joe say that Gibson is, at least on a custom basis, recreating some of the older color combinations. I bought a Wayne Benson model (#3) because it has that beautiful old F-4 look.

Bob

[jessboo]

I have an all black A5G with white top binding and a walrus ivory saddle being the only other color on it. that just knocks me out every time I take out of the case!

[jim simpson]

jessboo,
Whas this a custom order? It sounds sweet! - i'm jealous!!

[Peter Hackman]

Yes, I wonder why so few blondes are being made today.
I like the stark contrast with the black fingerboard.

I used to own a Levin Aristokrat, the first they made
in 1968 after a break of several years, and probably
the best (not nearly as good as my present tool, though).

It was great for identification when I travelled form
festival to festival on my first and only trip to the US
in 1969. I wrote to friends or presumptive
friends, just look out for a blonde mandolin, and it worked.
Got me a ride in style (in a Cadillac) from Bean Blossom
to Detroit ...

[Yellowmandolin]

It's not that I hate black faced mandos, I just like to see the wood grain. My teacher has a Flatiron A that is a blackface, and it looks pretty good. However, I prefer the blonds, I just love the natural wood color and apreciate the incredable skill it takes to make one perfectly.

[jessboo]

Jim,
yes it was a custom order back in '95 and it is signed by Weber. She's my little angel. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[Lane Pryce]

Blondes have more fun. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif Lp

[Daniel Nestlerode]

Black face mandos melt my butter, but they have to be done right.

The body of the mando should be highly figured and only lightly colored. The top binding should be white ivorioid or maple, the back binding can be black or tortoise plastic if the body wood is light enough but otherwise it should match the top binding.

On this (http://homepage.mac.com/dnestler/invite.html) page you'll find a pics of a couple more of Arthur Stern's black face mandolins. One is a Gilchrist, the other is a Kimble. Both a quite beautiful.

Best,
Daniel

[levin4now]

jim hilburn made a sa-weet black face, and it's pics are posted in the 'mandolins in progress' thread under the 'post a pic' forum.

I love to see the grain myself, but this mando would just about make anyone love a black-face mando. (I think the color and grain on back and sides makes up for not seeing it on the front!)

--also, someone else posted a black face A picture shortly after Hilburn in that thread - might have been bill bussman? It was an A.