New F4, what would you suggest?

**Billiam** · Nov-30-2005, 11:12pm

Originally Posted by (red7flag @ Nov. 30 2005, 19:07)

In my passing through the web today looking at mandolins I found a website where you could hear different songs listed with the mando it was played on...

Sounds like Folk of the Wood

**berkeleymando** · Dec-01-2005, 12:03am

I'm sure there are many excellent choices, but I'll mention that I am very, very happy with my Arches F4 I received in August.

**JEStanek** · Dec-01-2005, 9:15am

Just an FYI- use the Folk of the Wood website but search them on this forum before you make a purchase. Espescially for a mando that costs more than $200.

Jamie

**johnnymando** · Dec-01-2005, 3:15pm

I had an oppourtunity to play a prototype F6 at Roanoke weekend.David Harvey brought it in with him.Its a long-scale with an elevated fretboard.Sounded great!Not as thunky sounding as a vintage F2 or 4.It would be a monster mando for old timey,celtic,folk.If they ever bring them into production at a reasonable price,I'd take a look.
(not that I have anything against F2/4's,they are cool,this is a louder alternative that plays like an F5)

**keithd** · Dec-01-2005, 4:17pm

berkeleymando,

Tell us more about your Arches F4; what are the woods, bracing, finish...flat or radiused FB? I assume yours is the F4 featured on the Archres website...looks great!

Keith

**berkeleymando** · Dec-01-2005, 8:14pm

Originally Posted by (keithd @ Dec. 01 2005, 15:17)

berkeleymando,

Tell us more about your Arches F4; what are the woods, bracing, finish...flat or radiused FB? I assume yours is the F4 featured on the Archres website...looks great!

Keith

Hi Keith,

Indeed it is the one in the "F Style gallery" on his web site.

Chris constructed it like most of the vintage F4s with a non-elevated fingerboard directly attached to the top.

It has a one piece maple back, maple side and neck too. The top is Red Spruce.

The fingerboard is radiused with a 12 inch radius and is very comfortable with great intonation all the way up the (short, 12 fret) neck. The higher notes ring incredibly clear and chords way up the neck sound great. Chris really put a lot of time and effort into it. I sprung for Waverly tuners, rather expensive but perhaps worth it as this will be my main axe for the forseeable future. The inlay in the headstock is something I like about it alot. The finish has a hand applied 'red burst' stain and then french polish.

There's nothing not to like about Chris and his mandolins, and I would certainly reccomend him as one of the great luthiers who also spend time sharing their knowledge with people here on the cafe.

All the best.

**keithd** · Dec-01-2005, 8:31pm

Thanks berkeleymando,

Sorry for the twenty questions...but, is the bracing a short transverse brace, just south of the sound hole, like in a teens Gibson (or is it x-braced)? Is the sound similar to an early, oval-hole Gibson?

Do you perform in the Bay Area ever (I'd love to hear it sometime...)?

Thanks again,

Keith

**bones12** · Dec-01-2005, 8:56pm

I love F4s and that oval sound. I have that great Sawchyn 0-2 with the long neck, a fabulous Brentrup F4 (M22), a Rose F4 and my Gibson F4 raised fingerboard. All are really fun and all sound slightly different. Small builders can really tweak out that 20's sound that I love. Listen and try some out. Doug

**Jim M.** · Dec-01-2005, 9:20pm

Originally Posted by (keithd @ Dec. 01 2005, 21:31)

is the bracing a short transverse brace, just south of the sound hole, like in a teens Gibson (or is it x-braced)? Is the sound similar to an early, oval-hole Gibson?

Hi Keith - I've got an Arches F4 on order, so Chris (berkeleymando) was kind enough to let me try his. It's x-braced, and we compared it to my '24 Gibson F2. I think it sounded as nice as the F2, and had better volume. Very comfortable to play,too. Chris Baird changed his mind with mine, and he's building it with the transverse brace and has re-positioned the soundhole a bit. When I get it, we can probably arrange a time for you to try it, if you want.

**keithd** · Dec-01-2005, 10:52pm

Hey Jim, that sounds great, thanks. How exciting about your new instrument. I'm impressed with the look and detailing of the Arches mandolins, and the sound clips too.

Keith

**goldtopper** · Dec-02-2005, 4:24am

Love my King Brown F4. Got the old Gibson sound without the issues.

**red7flag** · Dec-02-2005, 7:02am

That clip on the Arches F-4 of Angelina the Baker is wonderful. Not only a great arrangement, but protrayed the tonal quality of the Arches extremely well. I think I am leaning that way. Working up the creative financing now. Maybe after Christmas.
Tony

**Mandobar** · Dec-02-2005, 11:09am

Here's some pics of an F4 that will keep you up nights:

last one-

there was quite a stir at ibma from what i hear from quite a few folks. i was unable to attend, but rumor has it Hans had several offers to buy this one right on the spot. also the man who wears that infamous baseball cap was also seen affectionately taking it through its paces.

i hate to fly, but am planning a trip to Minnesota early in 2006. this way i can visit with the master and his lovely wife and play the whole collection and just pass out from BAS overload once and for all. what a way to go.

**sgarrity** · Dec-02-2005, 11:31am

That is absolutely gorgeous. It doesn't get much better than that. I'd rather have that than a vintage F4. I talked to Hans about building me one but in the end decided the budget just couldn't handle it. Maybe next year I'll get on the list.
Shaun

**bones12** · Dec-02-2005, 4:36pm

For the past 4 months I have had my long awaited Brentrup M22 (F4 model) from Hans. It is difficult to put it down! It feeling and tone approximate my 1922 and 24 F4s and the fit is great. No wonder folks at IBMA wanted it. Mine is so nice. That oval hole sound brings a huge smile to my face. Doug in Vermont

**berkeleymando** · Dec-03-2005, 1:29pm

Originally Posted by (keithd @ Dec. 01 2005, 19:31)

Do you perform in the Bay Area ever (I'd love to hear it sometime...)?

If it is a sunny day, it is nice to sit in the park. Not much else apart from occasional jamming with friends.

**keithd** · Dec-03-2005, 11:09pm

Oh...what park...?

**Darryl Wolfe** · Dec-06-2005, 12:44pm

There is a Driftwood on the auction site

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Driftwood-Mandolin-Mando-Like-Gibson-F4-No-Reserve_W0QQitemZ7372925903QQcategoryZ10179QQrd
Z1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">link</a>

**red7flag** · Dec-07-2005, 8:41am

I would like to thank you all for your suggestions. I narrowed it down to Bentrup, Arches and Pomeroy. All were great instruments and great people to deal with. I ordered a fully bounded 12 fret not raised fretboard Pomeroy and my deposit check has been sent. The final deciding factor was the waiting period for the Bentrup and Arches.
Tony

**BradB** · Dec-07-2005, 12:55pm

Originally Posted by (Scot @ Nov. 30 2005, 18:10)

I've been fortunate enough to play several Sawchyn O-2's (F4's) and they all sounded great, including the one Butch Baldassari used on The Mandolin Tribute to Andrea Bocelli. #That one had a longer fingerboard, joining the body at the 15th fret as per Butch's request. #It's on all cuts except 1, 3, 7 and 8 and has a bit more aggressive sound than a regular O-2.

Here's a photo of Butch's Sawchyn:

This is the Sawchyn I really like:

The Driftwood F4's are gorgeous too, but I haven't played one.

BB

**JEStanek** · Dec-08-2005, 8:25am

Originally Posted by (f5journl @ Dec. 06 2005, 13:44)

There is a Driftwood on the auction site

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Driftwood-Mandolin-Mando-Like-Gibson-F4-No-Reserve_W0QQitemZ7372925903QQcategoryZ10179QQrd

Z1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">link</a>

The Driftwood Auction has been pulled due to "an error in the listing."

It looks like it would make someone very happy.

Jamie

**JEStanek** · Dec-08-2005, 8:34am

Here is the new listing for that new Driftwood from over-there...
<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Driftwood-Mandolin-Mando-Like-Gibson-F4-No-Reserve_W0QQitemZ7372944853QQcategoryZ10179QQrd
Z1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Driftwood Auction...</a>

Jamie

**J. Mark Lane** · Dec-08-2005, 8:44am

I'm surprised I didn't notice this thread before. Nice pics of some beautiful F4's. Just to add to the mix, although some of you have seen it before, here's a pic of my Pomeroy F4. The price is right on the Pomeroys. Don is great to work with, and remarkably good at predicting when an instrument will be ready. Mine is just what I wanted, and exceeded my expectations tonally.

**red7flag** · Dec-08-2005, 10:11am

Mark, Your picture of the Pomeroy F4 looks like what I just ordered, except I went with the old fashioned 12 fret unraised fretboard. The pic does not show, but I ordered the bound "signature" headstock. I, also, found Don a pleasure to work with. He spent time explaining all the options. As he was talking to a relatively ignorant buyer, his patience was greatly appreciated. He said this would be the his first 12 fret F4. From seeing his work, I am sure he will ace it. Well, he said approximately 4 month wait. Can I wait that long as I am Jonesing already.
Tony

**J. Mark Lane** · Dec-08-2005, 10:23am

Interesting. I seriously considered doing a 12 fret, but ended up deciding to go with the longer neck. I think it's great that you're doing the traditional setup.

My guess is, if Don said 4 months, it will be 4 months. I've never encountered a luthier so reliable in terms of timing.