Got My Lawrence Smart

[onlyagibsonisgoodenuff]

I received my new Lawrence Smart F-5 this week, and all I can say is: Wow! With full toneful bass and clear ringing highs, this mandolin blows away my Collings and my Fern! This is not really meant to be a plug for this luthier, but after playing this instrument for a couple of days, I can hardly contain my enthusiasm. Thanks for indulging me. Have a nice weekend, y'all!

[mandofiddle]

So does this prove that not only Gibson's are good enough? Sorry, couldn't resist

Congrats on your new mando!

[onlyagibsonisgoodenuff]

Actually, for those who didn't know, my username: onlyagibsonisgoodenuff, was an advertising slogan they used many years ago. I mis-spelled "enough" so I wouldn't infringe, ha, ha. Rumor has it that Gibson stopped using that catchphrase when one of their competitors came up with one of their own. My signature is that competitors' answer:

[Jim M.]

I've played a couple of Smarts that were just great. He's definitely in the top tier. How about some pictures?

[WJF]

As the proud way beyond happy owner of two Smart mandolins (A & F) I'd like to
A) Offer my congratulations
B) Welcome you to the fraternity of Smart owners.

We've got a nice little den of them here developing among my friends in the NY area with a few more on the way in the next few batches. **All** of them are stupendous in every way you can imagine. Other members of the "Smart Ownership Club" include Mike Marshall, John Reischman, Nick Forrester, Ben Winship, Arthur Stern and Rickie Simpkins ...

Lawrence is a great guy to work with as you no doubt discovered and his mandolins are among the very best out there regardless of price range.

So ... CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

Oh and before I forget ... as happy as you are with it now, just wait till it opens up. I loved both of mine right out of the box but with a bit of age on them ... WOW!!!!! You'll see ...

[SternART]

Boy WJF, I'm not sure how my name got in a list with Reischman & Forrester et al.........but I do have two VERY nice Smart mandolins, both two points, one with f holes & the other an oval hole. I was just up in McCall, ID coupla weeks ago picking up an F5 for a friend, to hand carry it back. So......Mr. onlyagibsonisgoodenuff you are a batch brother to my friend Jay........he plays in a Django type band in Grass Valley/Nevada City area of Calif. If your new F5 sounds like Jay's you are in for a fine ride breaking that baby in. His is fabulous!!!! I almost told him I lost it on the way home. Lawrence is great to work with, he has let me participate in the design of my instruments.......in fact, I just ordered a 2 point mandola to round out my collection, my first venture into larger bodied mando family instruments. Lawrence is still a very good value if you're looking at ordering a custom mandolin. Here is a link to see mine: http://www.smithfowler.org/music/mandolin/smart/

[WJF]

Almost forgot ... here is a link to some pictures of my two.

http://out2lunch.lunarpages.com/mandolins.htm

Arthur ... you're a guy I owe a great debt of gratitude to. My decision to get on line for one of Lawrence's mandolins was in part a result of a testimonial you'd written up on what your experience had been like in working with Lawrence. That and recommendations from a very good friend in VA who totally knows his mando stuff, getting to play one belonging to friend on mine who lives in Brooklyn and an enthusiastic 'thumbs up'from Mike Marshall are what caused me to 'pull the trigger' on my first Smart.

[Spruce]

"in fact, I just ordered a 2 point mandola to round out my collection, "

I love Lawrence's mandolins, but his 'dolas are really the cheese...

I have an Engelmann topped A model made with some wood that Lawrence and I harvested together, and it's the nicest sounding 'dola I've ever laid fingers on...
Just a great instrument....

[ethanopia]

what is his wait list like? if there is one...

an A dola is just what the doctor ordered to cure my mas...

*checks to see if wife is looking*

good clear, post

[SternART]

pssssst is the coast clear?...... wife is in the other room?

I think Lawrence is a coupla years out, but hey I've noticed as I've gotten older the years seem to go by faster......I'd jump on the list before another price increase......Mike Marshall thinks his dola is an incredible instrument......well I guess in his hands they all are.......

I played one of Smart's octaves, which was a wonderful instrument.... but to me, it was too huge for a guy who has only played mandolin. Maybe if I were also a guitar player I would be more comfortable on one......so I opted for ordering a mandola. One step at a time......