Sumi Mandolins, would like to hear some owners thoughts on these

[darylcrisp]

i've noticed this one
http://www.vintagemandolin.com/08sum...uxe_08570.html

and every so often will see one for sale, but they seem far and few.

I remember seeing/hearing Daniel Boner at Carter Fold a few years ago, performing with a Sumi guitar. It sounded and played fantastic, super low action, its tone, i could have swore was a 12 fret dreadnaught, but upon close inspection it was a 14 fret with braz back/sides. After the show i approached Daniel and we talked and he handed me the guitar. I had never heard of Sumi at that time.

not in the market, but something about a Sumi mandolin always grabs my eyes-can't explain it.
would love to hear some owners comment on thier Sumi.

here's info on Daniel:
http://www.etsu.edu/cas/das/bluegrass/default.php

[Ivan Kelsall]

Hi Daryl - Here's a bit of info. on the Sumi mandolins re.who built them & when :- http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...highlight=sumi (post # 27)
There used to be a Cafe member who worked for First Quality Music who owned one. He swore by his Sumi,but he hasn't posted for several years. By all accounts,they are very,very good. Sumi also built the Kentucky 'Dawg' mandolins,
Ivan

[MikeEdgerton]

Keep in mind that there are some Kentucky models that people swore were Sumi built and were not. Desert Rose explains it in the link Ivan shared earlier. With that said, here is every thread on the Cafe with the word Sumi in it.

[Ivan Kelsall]

I just had a look throught several pages re.Sumi mandolins via.the link that Mike posted above. I still couldn't find the name of the guy from First Quality who used to post on here. It was amazing to see so many names of Cafe members who've long since ceased to post on here with any regularity,inc. Scott Zimmerman (Desert Rose) himself. The photos,coupled with the enthusiasm for the Sumis,would indicate that they were excellent mandolins. TAMCO,here in the UK have a lovely Kentucky 'Dawg' mandolin in stock,built by Sumi,
Ivan

[MikeEdgerton]

Ivan, you'll find him in this thread.

[Ivan Kelsall]

Hi Mike - Many thanks.Yes that the guy,Mike Bucayu !. Mike used to be my main contact with FQ when i bought strings from them,
Ivan

[Frank Russell]

When Buffalo Bros was still around here in SoCal, they usually had a Sumi F or two around. I played them, thought they were excellent, but couldn't bring myself to pay that kind of money for what I considered an import at the time. Foolish, because they were at least equal to, if not better than the Webers and Flatirons I owned then, or my F9 and A9. Great playability, excellent bluegrass tone and volume, even brand new. The ones I handled had flawless workmanship as well. If I came across one today at the right price, I'd grab it. Frank

[Danny Clark]

I have had a few come thru the years ,I have always been impressed with them ,even more than the the Kentuckys he built
esp one I had that Roland White had previously owned sticks out in my mind as being a great one

[auteq]

Daryl
I have a Sumi "Dawg" or officially S-Mont (Monteleone) I picked up from Turtle Hill Banjo in La Plata, MD. I can't say enough about it, tone, bark etc. A very good mando for the price. I notice you are in VA and La Plata is not to far from Fredericksburg, VA, however quiet a ways from Norton. But if your going to Vintage to try out some stuff it might be worth a shot across the 301 bridge. Anyway Turtle Hill has a couple of them as well, including some Ratliff's which are also great.

http://www.turtlehillbanjo.com/