Best from Carter's
Hello Cafe family. Today I went with a musician friend to both Carter's and I will provide you with my very biased faves. First we went in the main room of Carter's. The first instrument I played was a Pava Player Oval. All the things you would expect, great fit and finish and great playability. For me the tone was a little thin, but I am not a big hybrid oval fan. I think this was more an issue of my prejudice that the instrument. The best of the main room mandolins that I played I were two A models from Kimble and Ellis. They, to me were by far the best sounding mandolins in the main hall. I gave a small edge to the Ellis, but am pretty sure that is my love of Tom's particular sound. Both were outstanding instruments. I then went to the front room where the high $ instruments are kept. OH MY... The first was the Fred Carpenter/Walter Carter 5C. Great instrument. Solid tone all through the registers. I thought I met my mandolin family dream. That was until I tried the F style Gil mandola right next to it. I instantly went to music heaven. Hands down the best mandolin family instrument I have ever played. What a delicate, yet strong experience. That was the best of the instruments in the front room (did not play the Loars). Another really powerful instrument was the Tim May OM. Just beautiful tone and playability. The other Gils, Monts, Altmans and Gibsons were very strong, but the Gil mandola, that was the show stopper for me. Out of my price range, but if I could have, I would have walked out with that baby. We were a little short for time, but those were the highlights, for me. You experience would probably vary.
Tony Huber
1930 Martin Style C #14783
2011 Mowry GOM
2013 Hester F4 #31
2014 Ellis F5 #322
2017 Nyberg Mandola #172
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