I'm snakebit! Looking for AJr Snakehead.

**dan@kins** · Mar-03-2006, 1:32pm

I've got a hankerin to add a Snakehead AJr to my studio.

I've got an email out about one in the classifieds, but I'm not first in line. . .

Tell whatcha know about 'em. Tell me whatcha like about 'em.

Point any out for sale on the web.

Thanks!!!!

**soapycows** · Mar-03-2006, 2:15pm

Buffalo brothers has a cheap one that requires some repairs. You'll need to contact them it's issues. I emailed them once, but I forgot the problems, it could be fixed, but I just didn't have the money. Buffalo Brothers Website

**Darryl Wolfe** · Mar-03-2006, 2:18pm

Gruhn has or had one

www.gruhn.com

**Darryl Wolfe** · Mar-03-2006, 2:20pm

Yep, still there, but a bit pricey compared to the 2 paddlehead Jr's he has. But it does look almost new

**John Rosett** · Mar-03-2006, 2:56pm

the 12thfret has one for around $1300 us. they're at 12fret.com. good luck

**dan@kins** · Mar-03-2006, 3:21pm

I just wanted to jump on here and thank you all for the replies. This is going very well!

**judith** · Mar-03-2006, 9:40pm

I just saw Jr's on Gruhn's website and am pretty sure a couple of 'em were snakeheads. I will likely get a bunch of flak for this, but I have doubts about the superiority of snakeheads. Sure, some of 'em sound great, but so do the others. Perhaps its my ear, but I don't hear a profound sound difference. Plus, depending on the size of your hands, they have narrower necks - ok for some, uncomfortable for others. And, snakeheads cost more. If they are so superior, why were they made for just a short time? Ok, I am ducking now. Judith

**judith** · Mar-03-2006, 9:49pm

p.s. there's a Jr (paddle head) for sale on Vintage Instrument's website. They're in Philadelphia and I can say with certainty that their prices are very fair. The owner is Fred Oster. I have had many dealings with him. The site is:
vintage-instruments.com Good luck

**John Rosett** · Mar-05-2006, 8:27am

looks like you dodged the bullet, judith.

**judith** · Mar-05-2006, 10:35am

Phew. I sure did, unless everyone's been away for a few days. J

**dan@kins** · Mar-06-2006, 11:48am

judith, can't speak for the superioty or lack thereof of the snakeheads. . . I just want one.

You might try the other thread going about A's in this vintage section.

mandorose, I went for that one at 12th fret and missed it, it had sold. It was right up my alley price wise and although well worn, it looked like a clean example.

Gruhn's looks real nice, its just a bit more than I had planned for and I think if I keep searching I can be happy for less dolars.

Thanks again for your helpful responses!

**danb** · Mar-06-2006, 11:54am

Judith- everyone is entitled to an opinion! I like the jrs.. all of them.. the paddlehead ones sound more bassy to me is all, while the snake ones sound more like their bigger brothers. A paddle Jr doesn't sound like a paddle A though, it's a whole different thing. They usually have pretty wide grained tops. Sometimes multiple piece tops & backs.. I have had one in the house recently that has a 3-piece back, and a single piece top! The sound is quite unique though for those paddlehead jrs, and it is very pleasant! I'd have a paddlehead Jr over an A1-A4 from another period!

**Steve Perry** · Mar-06-2006, 12:45pm

I'm no oval hole expert, but I played the snakehead at Gruhn's this past Saturday and it had THAT tone that said oval hole to me... #Much, Much better than any of the paddle heads hanging next to it.

Steve Perry

**danb** · Mar-06-2006, 12:51pm

Currently the only secret deal in the vintage world.. Ajrs sound fantastic

**Dave Reiner** · Mar-06-2006, 8:05pm

Steve, glad to hear you liked the A Jr at Gruhn's.

And Dan, thanks for a very helpful secret...

Can't wait until that A Jr lands on my doorstep in a few days... #

Dave

**judith** · Mar-06-2006, 8:56pm

Ok. I really don't intend to be a curmudgeon here. I honestly get confused about all of these things. I love A-Jrs too. Had one I wish I had never sold. Now I have a 1929 A-O. Interestingly, I often play with someone who has a 1921 or 1922 paddelhead A Jr. The sound of our mandos is very much in the same "family" of sound I think. I don't really know what to make of what lots of folks say about snakeheads vs paddleheads and the differences among members of the A family (beyond differences in the amt. of binding, the color, the rosettes). I've never been able to reach a firm conclusion. I've gone to our local vintage shop here and played all of the mandos he's had #- the gamut of A's, A- Jr's and various snakeheads. i've played the old Gibsons that various acquaintenances have. I don't think I could come anywhere close to a definitive conclusion about what mando belongs to what sound family. In the long run, I guess it boils down to which one sounds the best to one's subjective ears. J

**Gail Hester** · Mar-06-2006, 11:22pm

judith, I questioned all of the hype about snakeheads until we owned both as well as playing lots of others. The snakeheads are for real in my opinion and are very special instruments. Although our 1920 paddle head was a very nice instrument it was totally different than our 1924 snakehead. The paddle head was warm, dark and tubby sounding (no chop to speak of but real nice) while the snakehead is louder and very punchy with a respectable chop. It's the difference between, "oh, that's very nice" and "wow".

**Steve Perry** · Mar-07-2006, 9:25am

Originally Posted by

Can't wait until that A Jr lands on my doorstep in a few days... #

Dangit!... #I knew I should have kept my mouth shut!

Enjoy it, Dave!

Steve Perry

**Dave Reiner** · Mar-07-2006, 10:39am

Originally Posted by (Steve Perry @ Mar. 07 2006, 10:25)

Originally Posted by

Can't wait until that A Jr lands on my doorstep in a few days... #

Dangit!... #I knew I should have kept my mouth shut!

Enjoy it, Dave!

Steve Perry

Thanks again, Steve. #If it's any consolation, I made an offer on the A Jr before I saw your message.

Dave

**MML** · Mar-08-2006, 7:11pm

I think Gail has summed it up pretty good, the snakeheads are punchy. I have 2 snakes, a 23 A2-z, outstanding, responsive to the touch my ,favorite and a 24 A1 thats very punchy and clear with an A and E string to die for.The slender necks also make me want to play faster stuff and more aggressive styles. Compared to say my #paddles a 22-A4 & 21-A2,they are full,sweet,yet tubby and more hollow sounding.Great for de-stressing and playing happy little diddies or is it ditties or diddy's

**Loren Bailey** · Mar-08-2006, 7:52pm

If anyone else is interested in Ajr Snakeheads I've heard this one is pretty darn good.

From the home page go to "Mandolins" the Ajr is near the top of that page.

Accoustic Guitar

**dan@kins** · Mar-09-2006, 8:39am

Thanks. I'm selling an acoustic guitar to finance this mandolin. It should sell this week. I hope some of these hold out til then. I may have started this thread too early. Thanks for the links though!

**judith** · Mar-09-2006, 10:01pm

Guess you saw the ad for snakehead jr on these classifieds, right? good luck. J

**dan@kins** · Mar-10-2006, 9:12am

Yes. I'm buying the one in the classifieds!!! In the process right now. Actually my girlfriend is giving it to me for my birthday!

Thanks for the help on this thread! It should be at my office sometime next week!

**danb** · Mar-10-2006, 9:29am

Hey Dan, don't forget to take it in to get a set-up.. most of them need a little tweaking here and there. The pegs are sometimes stiff, the bridges need a little tweaking, the nut slots etc.. you might be suprised how much better still that can make it sound