Visit to Paul Shippey Mandolins (Somerset UK)

[GKWilson]

MMMMM Eye candy.

[Dagger Gordon]

I played Ewen MacPherson's 10 string mandolin last year at a Shooglenifty gig.
I have to say I thought it was excellent and should I have to replace my 10 string Sobell, I would most likely get a Shippey.

[DaveL35]

@IG - That has to be the one Paul showed to me. I remember the one-piece back. I think the only other one that was completed around that time was a 10-string, which I didn't see. Yours really is a great mandolin. If that's your entry-level instrument, I don't know what you'll get when you want to upgrade!

[Rob Beck]

For those of you who are interested, I have has an email from Paul to say he has started work on my mandolin, and I must say I am pretty excited about it, and the time spent on the waiting list has certainly added to that!

Below is the text he sent me to accompany the photographs. Is anyone else here waiting in line for the other instruments he mentions, which are included in the photographs?

Here are the photos of the build as it stands.

photo 1 (uploaded as picture 3 for some reason!) .....3 tops jointed, 3 backs (on the left) still to be jointed, two pairs of sides in the middle.
photo 2 .....this show the sides for your mandolin (you might just be able to make out 'RB' written on the top block).
photo 3 (uploaded as photo 1) .....rough carving one of the backs.
photo 4 .....3 tops and 3 backs - rough carved
photo 5 .....two sets of sides (one of them yours) - almost finished
photo 6 .....3 tops and 3 backs completely carved and scraped. I like to work on three at a time where possible.....it means that I can pair up each top with the back that I think will work best in partnership....... I haven't completely decided which top and back will be yours yet......but will do soon!
photo 7 .....tone bars fitted - ready to be shaped.
photo 8 .....starting the carve the tone bars.

[Denman John]

Very nice ~ thanks for sharing those with us!

Did he give you an idea of when it will be ready for you?

[Rob Beck]

Very nice ~ thanks for sharing those with us!

Did he give you an idea of when it will be ready for you?

Hello John, no, he didn't give me a date, so I assume we are still looking at March/April 2015. He did say that he has an octave mandolin and another A5 to complete before mine (I think that at least the other A5 features in those photographs, which is why I asked if anyone else here has one on order, it could be theirs.) Paul said he would send another batch of photos in a few weeks, which will all be my mandolin

[Rob Beck]

I have had a few more updates from Paul, and a few conversations regarding finish options. These are some of the most recent photographs. I love the look of the ebony binding with birch strip around the headstock and fingerboard. Current ETA is about 4 weeks. I am definitely starting to get excited now

[Tavy]

I like the "Z" in the fretboard end - Zorro's mandolin perhaps?

[Rob Beck]

I like the "Z" in the fretboard end - Zorro's mandolin perhaps?

Yes, I like that too Tavy. In fact, I was not going to have this type of fretboard originally, preferring the more modern one that Paul makes, but once I saw this style, I instantly changed my mind! :o)

[Rob Beck]

I went up to Somerset yesterday to visit Paul Shippey and pick up my new A5. What a fantastic piece of craftsmanship! I didn't have much time to try it out yesterday, so will report back here again when I have. Paul has been an absolute pleasure to deal with throughout the process, and I would use him again without hesitation should the necessary funds ever present themselves

True, there was a waiting list, but in these days of instant gratification, it was nice to let the anticipation and excitement build waiting for my turn in the queue. Once the build commenced, Paul kept me constantly informed of progress with photographs, emails and telephone conversations.

Here are a few photographs he sent be a couple of days ago of the finished mandolin, and one that my son took yesterday when I collected it.

[Ron McMillan]

Gorgeous. <Ron dashes off to look up Paul's website>

[PseudoCelt]

It looks amazing, Rob, and I'm sure it sounds great too! Did you choose the fixed bridge? Paul's website shows A5s with both fixed and adjustable bridges.

My main mandolin is a Shippey rosewood oval hole from 2005, but I recently played a couple of quality f-hole mandolins (Collings and Weber) at a workshop and I now must have an A5. I haven't played many mandolins that sound as good as my Shippey, so one of his A5's is near the top of the list.

Patrick

[Rob Beck]

Hello Patrick, It has a fixed bridge because I wanted a pickup fitted. It has a headway piezo pickup under the saddle, and the wire runs down through the bridge. Over time I have become fed up with knocking my clip-on condensor mic off my mandolin! Hopefully this will solve the problem and also help keep the feedback down! I agree with you about the sound, Paul put a lot of effort into getting that right.

I'm sure you wouldn't be disappointed with a Shippey A5

[Lord of the Badgers]

I'm digging this one out of thread purgatory because last week I met up with Paul (surprised it's taken so long since he lives just down the road).
I am considering offloading my Sobell to commission Paul to build a 10 string mandolin. But firstly I'm taking down my arsenal for him to see as he's very keen to see my Forster and Davidsons
I held a just completed mandolin of his and I cannot fault his craftsmanship.
Also played an "axe" bouzouki which really gave me pause for thought as the design was bloody clever. May yet get one as my "unison" bouzouki (the Forster is in octave pairs)
Totally lovely chap as everyone's said. True gent.

[Rob Beck]

Hello Your Badgership

From my perspective, I think you will be very happy if you commission a build from Paul. I love my Shippey A5, and people regularly comment positively on the tone (including our percussionist who has some kind of affliction that causes him to ridicule mandolins on a fairly regular basis )

I was very tempted by Paul's "Artist" 10 string model, and if I had the spare cash, would probably already be on the waiting list for one!

In fact, the only issue, which I know you are already aware of from earlier posts, is that Paul's popularity means that there is a waiting list. When I ordered my A5 I think it was 18 months, but definitely worth every day of the wait.

And as you said, he is a really nice bloke.

[Lord of the Badgers]

He told me he has gotten it down to six months (unsure how)...

[DaveL35]

Latest information on Paul's waiting list: I visited Paul yesterday and he says the wait time is currently 8 to 9 months.

Oh, and while I was there I picked up my new mandolin. I'll probably start another thread for that.

[Lord of the Badgers]

Your mandolin is very nice indeed mate. I can tell you that for sure!
I'm only saying what he said to me