Lynn dudenbostel prices and waiting period?

**kidgloves2** · Dec-24-2007, 8:38pm

Does anyone know a rough price range for a F-style dudenbostel? And how long it takes to get a new one?

**Crowder** · Dec-24-2007, 10:17pm

IIRC Lynn no longer uses a waiting list, and he's got orders to last several years. Every once in a while it seems that a customer who wants to sell one will send it back to Lynn for him to sell and, presumably, take a little cut. I don't think he's built any A-5's. His F-5's trade at the high end of the secondary market, as high as $35,000 fairly recently. They're very scarce--I believe less than 40 extant.

FWIW Lynn's instruments are known to be exceedingly well-made with great tone, but I'm sure even he would admit that there are many builders in the same league, some of whom do not enjoy the same demand and sell their instruments for far less than Lynn can command.

**JimRichter** · Dec-24-2007, 10:24pm

Lynn has made A5s in the past.

**kidgloves2** · Dec-25-2007, 3:27am

Thanks Crowder. That's what I was looking for. I could never by one......dang.

Who would be a good luthier to get one from? I was thinking about Poe mandolins. I need one custom built because I want a slightly wider nut width. But I don't know who makes a top sounding instrument. I do know Chris Thile has one of the best "sounding" mandolins I ever heard.

Also, does anyone make a cutom -style in the $2,000 price range?

**Stephanie Reiser** · Dec-25-2007, 6:20am

Originally Posted by (kidgloves2 @ Dec. 25 2007, 04:27)

Also, does anyone make a cutom -style in the $2,000 price range?

I do know of at least two builders who build in the $2750 range.

**jaydee** · Dec-25-2007, 11:25am

Originally Posted by (kidgloves2 @ Dec. 25 2007, 04:27)

I do know Chris Thile has one of the best "sounding" mandolins I ever heard.

Chris also has great tone himself. I played with someone this weekend who pulled great tone out of a less than stellar mandolin. It was an object lesson for me that it's much more about the player than the instrument.

I think that you can't really buy good tone; just different colorings for your own sound. If you find a comfortable mandolin that you can work with, I'll bet that you can find a way to make it sound great that will work on just about any mandolin you play.

Good luck in your hunt!

**Glassweb** · Dec-25-2007, 12:37pm

I think you CAN buy good tone... compare one of Lynn's mandolins next to say... a Kentucky, and you'll certainly hear a difference. That doesn't mean you have to spend that much money for a great sounding mandolin... just takes a lot of self-educating by playing hundreds of instruments.

**jaydee** · Dec-25-2007, 1:24pm

I'm not saying that one mandolin is as good as any other. I just mean that if good tone isn't in your hands it's not going to magically appear in a different mandolin. I've passed around lots of nice mandolins (and even more clunkers) with lots of players, and the guys who have a good sound ALWAYS have a good sound on any mandolin. I think it's worth cultivating a good personal sound that is not dependent on the instrument.

Of course, there's nothing wrong with having some really nice mandolins around. Playing a good instrument is almost always a moving experience.

**Glassweb** · Dec-25-2007, 2:36pm

Originally Posted by (jaydee @ Dec. 25 2007, 14:24)

I think it's worth cultivating a good personal sound that is not dependent on the instrument. Of course, there's nothing wrong with having some really nice mandolins around. Playing a good instrument is almost always a moving experience.

Agreed!

**mandolirius** · Dec-25-2007, 3:13pm

<I'm not saying that one mandolin is as good as any other. I just mean that if good tone isn't in your hands it's not going to magically appear in a different mandolin.
the guys who have a good sound ALWAYS have a good sound on any mandolin.>

While basically in agreement, there are limits. Good tone doesn't "magically" appear, granted. But I've played some mandolins that are not going to yield good tone in anyone's hands. When those mandolins belong to my students, I have no problem advising them to think about getting a better instrument. While an accomplished player may be able to make their mandolin sound acceptable, they are beginners and are not likely to have the same results. The same is true at the other end of the spectrum. Give them a Dudenbostel and they wouldn't have the necessary technique to exploit all it would have to offer. In their hands it wouldn't sound much different from a half-decent Kentucky or similar mandolin.

**pjlama** · Dec-25-2007, 3:21pm

If you like Thile's sound I think a lot of it comes from the Engelmann top, I have a BRW with an Engelmann top that has a very Thile like sound. I'm sure BRW could build you something with a wide nut and Engelmann top, as could Poe or Mowry or Hans Brentrup, all great custom guys.

**F5G WIZ** · Dec-25-2007, 4:57pm

Poe would be a great choice. Demand for his mandolins has increased quite a bit since I bought mine, but as far as customizing is concerned he can and will do about whatever you want. Prices are still reasonable as far as top end mandolins go too. I believe his wait is still less than a year. I love mine. Merry Christmas.

**f5loar** · Dec-25-2007, 5:50pm

So after 11 answers not one has answered the original question. How long a wait for a Dude F and general price for a new one not a used one?

**Links** · Dec-25-2007, 5:52pm

Tom - I think the answer is no one knows! Lynn drops by the site on occassion, so maybe he will chime in!

**f5loar** · Dec-25-2007, 5:58pm

It would have to be the Dude his ownself that would have to answer it as those few that do know are sworn to secretcy with repossesion of their Dude if they tell such detailed confidential information. That's why I'll never tell

**Crowder** · Dec-25-2007, 6:17pm

I met this local guy recently who plays a Hill mandolin. If you like a big neck, this one had it. Also had a ton of tone and really big chop.

Here's something he posted on YouTube playing it for prospective buyers, I think:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kO25bocIq6E

**evanreilly** · Dec-25-2007, 7:28pm

Tommy! You mean there is a secret Dude fraternity sworn to secrecy?
Is there a Dude handshake?
Isn't there a Dude hat?

**dkopp1999** · Dec-25-2007, 8:18pm

I bought a Dearstone F-5 m redwood top in 2003 it will hold up to any mandolin!!
dkopp Pa.

**pjlama** · Dec-25-2007, 8:37pm

I think the reason we started going to other builders is because the original poster came back saying he'd never be able to buy one because of the price.

**SternART** · Dec-25-2007, 8:38pm

I've got the hat, a string winder, numerous Dudette straps & an A5......but to the best of my knowledge there is no secret Dude handshake.
All I can tell you is it was a long wait, but worth it.

**kidgloves2** · Dec-26-2007, 1:37am

Thanks guys. All great comments and suggestions.

I don't want to bother lynn, since I'm not actually going to buy one of his mandolins. I was just curious if anyone here had current info. just to fill my curiousity.

The Brentrup and Poe mandolins look good to me. And I didn't know about the engleman spruce top, so I will request that when I get a mandolin built.

I really want a mandolin with a 1 & 1/4" nut. ? Or I want to go the Sam Bush direction and go wider. Because I'm a guitar player first. And I have fat fingertips. Normally on guitar I want 1 & 3/4 nut or larger. I play classical too and the nut width is 2". I love that.

Thanks everyone. If anyone has a good luthier for me to check out, please continue to list them here. And a link to their website if you have one.

**frankenstein** · Dec-26-2007, 1:58am

Mike Blohm makes a great mandolin.. i think theres one in the classifieds..

**Scott Tichenor** · Dec-26-2007, 6:21am

Posting someone's private phone number or email address in public without their permission is clearly not appropriate and I've removed that post.

**Don Christy** · Dec-26-2007, 8:03am

In your price range, you could probably get a Silver Angel A model by Ken and Laura Ratcliff. I have one of the F style Silver Angels and love it.
Silver Angel Mandolins

Don