Mandolin Brothers Trip Today

**Gibsonman** · Jun-01-2005, 4:22pm

I just got back home from Mandolin Bros. I live 200 miles away from there. I went up to take a old F-2 Gibson 3 Point Blackface up and leave for them to do work on. I only was there for about #2 Hrs. I played a new MM #and a new Distressed model. Both were just great. I think the MM was just a tad better. Stan Jay, the owner of the place thought the same.I also played a new Apitius Grand Classic, that was also very nice. Stan then showed me the new Collins Varnished. #The workmanship of this instrument is something. This one that I played had one great sound. My pick was the Gibson MM. However if I needed another mandolin, (which I don,t) and could not afford the MM, I would have that Collins. #That,s how I spent my day. I know it,s rought, but someone has too. By the way Stan and all the people are very nice at Mandolin Brothers.

**Scotti Adams** · Jun-01-2005, 6:18pm

Hey John...its nice to hear about your trip..I need to make it there sometime.....sounds like the Collings might be the best bang for $...thanks for the phone call..I really like talkin mandos with you..friend

**man doh** · Jun-01-2005, 9:14pm

you play any of the phoenix mandos?

**flairbzzt** · Jun-01-2005, 9:19pm

John-Did you see or play a blonde Collings MF (#420)?

**meskalito** · Jun-01-2005, 10:37pm

It's gone, Rick. Finish grieving and move on.

Oh, and I played all the Phoenixes on Saturday, and they all owned.

**Gibsonman** · Jun-02-2005, 6:47am

Sorry guys that was the only 4 I played. Did not see any blonde Collings.

**J. Mark Lane** · Jun-02-2005, 7:34am

I told you to buy that thing, Rick. Nobody ever listens to me...except Jeremy. And look - he's a happy man.

**luckylarue** · Jun-02-2005, 8:01am

Carpe Diem if it's "The One". Remember, it's better to regret something you have done than regret something you haven't.

**tree** · Jun-02-2005, 8:48am

That blonde Collings was there on May 21 when I made my personal pilgrimmage, but it wasn't my favorite. #I liked the Apitius Grand Classic the best, followed by the Gibson Bibbey model (I didn't see a MM or I would've picked one of those), and the Collings MF5 Deluxe Varnish. #But that was nearly 2 weeks ago.

There WAS a rosewood Santa Cruz 12-fret slothead that was an absolute monster of a bluegrass box, though (and a killer Huss & Dalton TDR, and a sunburst Collings D2H). #I woke up the next morning and thought I dreamed the whole thing, except I found a Mandolin Brothers tee shirt in my suitcase.#The entire staff was as friendly and helpful as any merchant I've ever visited. #I felt welcome and comfortable pulling any instrument off the wall to pick, regardless of the amount on the tag. Nobody hovered, but if I had a question they were available and happy to answer it. #I've lived in the South all my life, where we have a reputation for Southern hospitality, but my visit to Mandolin Brothers in Staten Island, New York, taught me that we sure don't have a monopoly on it.

**scgc.om** · Jun-02-2005, 1:43pm

You guys are getting to me . . . ! I'm travelling 3500 miles to NYC in 4 wks - going to be there for 9 days. I'll be travelling with my 15 yr old daughter.

I last visited NYC (on my own) in May '01 - spent 4 -5 hrs at MandoBros.

Of course, I would go again to MB - IF I were a "free agent". BUT I'm hesitating - what's my daughter going to do while I'm sampling?!?!?

tree - Your post was THE most enticing!! I have a '97 Apitius GC that I'd LOVE to A/B compare with the new one you ranked 1st (in the whole store??). AND I also own a scgc 12 fret slothead (mine's a 000 Cocobolo/German - I'm guessing the BlueGrass "tone monster" you tried and LOVED was a Dreadnaught - right? I LOVE my slothead but I would NOT reach for it at a BG jam - too "dark" in tone).

Why couldn't you guys tell me Stan et al were closing shop for the month of July??!?!??!!!

**tiltman** · Jun-02-2005, 1:53pm

Hey John,
Sounds like a great trip, I'd like to go there someday.
My best mando trip this year was going to John Dudeck's house - got to play a couple of really nice mandolins and then have a home cooked meal!

Kirk

**Gibsonman** · Jun-02-2005, 2:14pm

Hi Kirk good hearing from you. Wish you could have been with me too. By the way guys at Mandolin Bros. they do not have the MM or the Distressed or the Varnish Collings hanging on the wall. You have to ask to see them. Also they stay with you when you play them.

**meskalito** · Jun-03-2005, 12:44am

I want to clarify so Rick doesn't get his hopes up. There is one blond Collings MF hanging in the mandolin room, but it has white or ivoroid binding. The blond MF that Rick covets has tortoise binding. I did not see it at the shop this past Saturday.