New used phoenix

[otterly2k]

So-- I've coveted the Phoenix Neoclassical for years-- ever since I played one about 5 years ago at Mandolin Brothers. When one came up in the Classifieds recently at a really good price, I jumped on it. Given my catch-and-release policy, I sold my Old Wave oval (a really great sounding mando in its own right) to finance the deal. The Phoenix came to me with a lot of fretwear, so while the action was great and the basic tone was great, it had spots where the fret divots mucked with the tone.

Well, today I got that Phoenix back from Rolfe Gerhardt complete with a full refret and a fresh set of T-I's, and it sounds and feels just great! What I notice about this instrument in particular is that even though it has f-holes, the tone is somewhere in between an oval and typical f-hole sound -- the action is very low and it is super responsive to a light touch -- but doesn't fall away when a heavier hand is applied. I love the long and slender neck profile. And there's something about the headstock shape...it is relatively light and b/c it's long and narrow, it doesn't interfere with my left hand at all.

I was sad to let the Old Wave go, and maybe someday I'll be able to have one of each. But for now, I'm enjoying this new used Phoenix very much.

pix to follow

KE

[otterly2k]

here

[otterly2k]

and the back

[otterly2k]

One more...

[otterly2k]

I meant to mention in the original post, that one of the things I really notice when I play this mando is that it has no shift in tone across the strings... very uniform and fluid. Some mandos I've played have funky sounding A course that never quite matches the rest. Not so with this one...

[red7flag]

Karen,
Congratulations on a great looking and from what you said sounding mando. If you get a chance make up a mp3 soundbite for us. Nice going.
Tony

[Lane Pryce]

Karen you did really well girl. You have a fine new mandolin there. I'll bet it sounds terrific too!! Lp

[JEStanek]

Congratulations, Karen. I know you'll enjoy it. Nice Eastman case too! Gotta love a two point.

Jamie

[otterly2k]

Yeah, the case is great, and is an upgrade from the huge rectangular super heavy case that came with it. It's sleek, strong and about 1/3 as heavy. Works for me.

And yea, I"m partial to two=points in general.

[Brad Weiss]

Welcome to the Phoenix fold! #I love my Europa NeoClassical (though I'm here at the Symposium with my Mowry, just for fun). #Easiest mandos to play by a mile, and perfectly balanced, as you note. Your headstock is interesting; I've not seen the scoop before, just the sort of Gibson style "hair-cut". I like yours too- what's the date on it?

Ain't Rolfe a cool guy! #Enjoy!!

[otterly2k]

It's dated 2/25/01
I noticed the headstock shape is different than the ones posted on his website. I think it's an earlier design. I think the shape works pretty well with behind the shape of the inlaid phoenix.

[Avi Ziv]

Wonderful! Enjoy

Avi

[MandoSquirrel]

Lovely, I've thought those are some of the sweetest looking mandos since the first pic I saw of one. That's my idea of the ideal mandolin.

[steve V. johnson]

Congratulations!!!!!!!!

I've been waiting for this one to 'land' for a while. It's a real relief to learn that it's finally home! Wow, what a beauty!

May your joy be unbounded!

stv

[Michael Wolf]

Karen,

as far as I know you're playing Irish tunes, so how does the tone of the phoenix compare to the oval hole mando in this genre? Does it have good sustain? What string gauges do you use?
I'd be very interested in one of these Phoenix models form what I've heared. But since I live in Germany my chance to try one is zero.
I'm playing Irish tunes and Choro, but I also like the f-hole sound for melody. I always thought that it would be nice if the f-hole sound could be altered a litle bit in the oval hole direction. Your first impression sounded like this could be the case with the Neoclassical.

Thanks
Michael

[Bob DeVellis]

Karen - Congrats! It's a real beauty and, from your description, it sounds like it plays like a dream. As I've mentioned before, I've never played a bad Phoenix. Enjoy!

[otterly2k]

Michael-
I play a variety of styles - certainly Irish tunes as well as other European origin folk music / fiddle tunes (e.g. other Celtic, Balkan, Nordic), as well as some Old Time, Contradance rep, French Canadian, etc... and whatever else inspires. I have tended to be drawn to oval hole sound, and am not generally drawn to the sharp cutting f-hole sound, prefering the bell tones of ovals.

So it surprised me when I found the Neoclassical SO appealing. All I can say is that even though it has f shaped holes, it does not have that super-dry tone that so many f hole enthusiasts are after. It is just as rich and resonant as a good oval (I'm comparing it with the Old Wave, which I think anyone would say is a very fine example of great and classic oval hole tone) -- it has a little more separation and somewhat different overtones. I think it is exceptionally versatile, really, and designed to be so.

There's something about the playability and responsiveness of this mando that is a great match for me. But if the tone had not been great, I would not have made the purchase. I had been thinking in terms of custom ordering an oval with the longer, slender and more elevated neck. Then I had the opportunity to re-visit the Phoenix Neoclassical and realized that I could get all that in a Phoenix despite the f-holes.

I understand that Rolfe has been asked about making ovals, but has stuck to his guns re: the design of his line. I'm beginning to understand that.

Re: strings. The Neoclassical is designed for Thomastik-Infeld lights or mediums. This mando came to me strung with something else... light and roundwound... when I sent it back to Rolfe for fretwork, I asked him to put TI mediums (mittels) on while he was at it. And they are perfect. Beefy enough that you can pull out a lot of volume if you want it, but smooth as silk under the fingers, and clearly just exactly what this instrument wants in order to sing its best.

If you're thinking of pursuing one of these, I'd encourage you to ask any Phoenix owner about their experience with their instruments. I'm also happy to respond to any other questions to the best of my ability.

[Keith Erickson]

Karen,

Since Michael already asked the question that was on my mind I will go straight to my comment

That mandolin is absolutely beautiful!!!

Those colors are so pleasing to the eye that they are almost hypnotizing.

You are truly the belle of the ball today

Congradulations and enjoy your Phoenix

[otterly2k]

Thanks, Keith.
I am in general not a big fan of sunbursts, preferring natural wood as much as possible. However, the color and shading on the Phoenix brings out the grain of the wood so beautfully that I find I really like it. It has an intentionally violinish look. It's a keeper.

[Lee]

Karen, way to go! I gotta try out one of these soon. I was one who asked Rolfe about an oval and he basically told me that he gets from his f-holes the tone(s) he's after and the world has plenty of oval-hole builders as it is. Apparently he's right.
MAS, oh MAS. I ache so.

[otterly2k]

Lee- I don't think you're the only one to have asked Rolfe re: ovals. And IMHO, the world can ALWAYS use more oval hole builders. But he sure does get great tone out of the f-holes.

[Eric F.]

Wow, that's lovely Karen. Congratulations again!

[otterly2k]

Thanks, Eric.

[evanreilly]

You think Rolfe made negative noise about an oval hole instrument?
You should have heard him when I begged him to build me an F-5 style instrument! <VBG>
I have two of Rolfe's great mandolins; he is tops in my book also.

[Fliss]

Congratulations on your new mando! It definitely has a violin-like look, and looks very fine.

I'm another who likes the oval hole tone, but I've been pleasantly surprised by a couple of beautiful f-hole mandolins that I've played recently.

Fliss