Recommended mando builders 3 - 5k?

**Sadee** · Jan-30-2008, 3:07pm

If you had $3 - $5K to spend on an F style mandolin, which independent builder would you go with? I'm more concerned about tone and ease of play than fit and finish, however, I would like it to look fairly nice! Thanks!

**Steve Cantrell** · Jan-30-2008, 3:12pm

There's a ton of different opinions, but I'll cast a vote for Andy Poe. He's a great builder and falls right in your range. Check his mandos out at poestrings.com. I've been very satisfied with mine--no financial interest.

**squirrelabama** · Jan-30-2008, 3:21pm

No financial interest, just sharing my experience: Gary Vessel is tops on my list, especially when it comes to tone. In the violin world, he has won international awards for tone for his work. Well worth looking into.

**Keith Erickson** · Jan-30-2008, 3:25pm

Originally Posted by (Sadee @ Jan. 30 2008, 16:07)

If you had $3 - $5K to spend on an F style mandolin, which independent builder would you go with? I'm more concerned about tone and ease of play than fit and finish, however, I would like it to look fairly nice! #Thanks!

Go the "builders" section of the Mandolin Café homepage. Hang around this board, watch, look and listen to what is posted here.

My suggestion, don't rule out an A

or a 2 point mandolin.

Just educate yourself to make an educated decision.

Best of luck to you

**Bill Van Liere** · Jan-30-2008, 3:25pm

BRW

Clean build, clean tone.

Any bets on how many great builders when we identify in this price range?

And yes about the A models in this range, good point.

**Frank Russell** · Jan-30-2008, 3:29pm

Bill Bussman of Old Wave. Excellent instruments, built by an extremely amusing man who has lived in the wilderness too long. His instruments are all about playability and tone. Frank

**jjboone101** · Jan-30-2008, 3:33pm

There is a used 2001 Newson F5 at Gryphon Music for $4250 as well as a used Newson F5 here on the Classifieds for $4500(NFI for both). Either one could be a very nice mando if you're not stuck on getting a brand new one. If you want a custom F, Paul Newson builds varnish F5's for around $5,500 last time I checked...his fit & finish work is amazing and the tone is huge.

**Brady Smith** · Jan-30-2008, 4:48pm

Originally Posted by (Sadee @ Jan. 30 2008, 16:07)

If you had $3 - $5K to spend on an F style mandolin, which independent builder would you go with?

Well...I spent about two years researching that question and my answer was - Pete Hart *The Buckeye* Mandolin. #The answer was actually extremely simple. #I just needed the extra time to test alot of the others out to make sure I had the correct answer.

**NoNickel** · Jan-30-2008, 5:08pm

Another vote for Ben Wilcoxen at BRW.

**Trey Young** · Jan-30-2008, 5:11pm

Due to my recent purchase of one of his A-5s, I would highly recommend Robb Brophy of Elkhorn Mandolins. I bought one he had already built, but bet he would be great to work with on a custom deal. NFI, just a satisfied customer.

**Brad Weiss** · Jan-30-2008, 5:27pm

I'm sure many, many people can tell you how happy they are with their experience working with a particular luthier. I got a great deal on an excellent mandolin with a great guy, Andrew Mowry, so I'm happy to recommend him. I will say if fit and finish are critical issues for you, he just can't be topped (not that others aren't as good, but no way anyone's better than Andrew)

**jim_n_virginia** · Jan-30-2008, 5:28pm

Boy what an open ended question. It's like asking who builds the best cars $20-25K

In mandolin builders you'll get at least 20 names.

I'd say do a lot of research, look for reviews, try to play some if you can. And don't forget to look in the Eye Candy section of the Cafe to see a sample of many builders work.

Now I'm a Gibson man myself but if I was looking for a small builder I sure would be giving Dave Cohen a look. He's studied sound from a scientific view and I've played a few of his mandolins at Cabin Fever and they are pretty awesome to my ears.

http://cohenmando.com/index.html

**Steve Williams** · Jan-30-2008, 7:23pm

Another vote for the "Buckeye" mandolin by Pete Hart.

Steve Williams

**otterly2k** · Jan-30-2008, 10:33pm

I'll put in my 2c...

For absolutely awesome playability and responsiveness, I'd recommend Phoenix mandolins... although they are 2-point design and not F with a scroll. #I hear he's making another batch with special European woods...

I'll also recommend Brian Dean... particularly if you are interested in a rustic and unconventional aesthetic. #If you're a hardcore bluegrasser, it probably won't be your cup of tea... but if you have interest in other genres and tone qualities, Brian makes some astounding stuff... entertain yourself by visiting his website. #Don't miss the video montage at the bottom of his Gallery page...

If I had it to spend, I'd order an F4 or two-point mando from him.

His website is now: #http://www.labraid.ca

Bill Bussman's Old Wave mandos are also super...

Not to slight any of those already recommended... these are just the ones I have the most experience with.

**Daniel Nestlerode** · Jan-30-2008, 11:25pm

Originally Posted by (squirrelabama @ Jan. 30 2008, 13:21)

No financial interest, just sharing my experience: Gary Vessel is tops on my list, especially when it comes to tone. In the violin world, he has won international awards for tone for his work. Well worth looking into.

I'll just say, "Amen to that, brother."

Gary is tops. My Vessel is equal to or better than every mandolin I have ever played, including Gilchrists and Loar era Gibsons. Gary's list is short, his prices good, and he's willing to do crazy stuff like: "Hey Gary, build me a black-face teens era Gibson A model except make it a modern sounding F5."

Daniel

**F5G WIZ** · Feb-01-2008, 1:57pm

Another vote for POE but I am a bit biased!

**Laura Leder** · Feb-01-2008, 2:17pm

I would recommend a Weber.
Great instruments and great service.

Laura

**first string** · Feb-01-2008, 3:08pm

I'm on Austin Clark's list. His mandos are in that range. I haven't got mine yet obviously, but so far he's been great to work with, and I really think he's going to make a phenomenal reputation for himself.

I've also worked with Andrew Mowry, and was extremely pleased with the result. Can't go wrong there either.

You're going to get a lot of suggestions, with everyone promoting their favorite builder. The best thing you can probably do is to check out all the luthiers' websites, see what you like, and then write inquiries to those who interest you the most. Then see what kind or responses you get, and follow your gut. Buying from a luthier is always a bit of a roll of the dice. But more often than not it seems, it pays off a lot better than buying a factory brand from a store. And you end up getting what you want.

**TNT** · Feb-01-2008, 3:11pm

BRW
#
You won't be dissapointed!

**littvay** · Feb-01-2008, 3:20pm

I played a few BRWs at Winfiled and oh boy does he make a Killer mando. I also played a new Sumi not too long ago and it was the first mando to make me thing I should swap out my current Sumi built 1987 Kentucky. A friend of mine called me recently saying that he played every mando he could get his hands on at IBMA and this Sumi 3pt was the best. He bought it from him because he wanted it to go to a friend it was so good, and I quote "the only mando that topped it was the Skaggs model." I just didn't have the money. It broke my heart.

Both are reasonably priced. I talked to a few people who know the market. One of each has been sited as the most underpriced mandos around. I also heard someone call Clark mandos the same but I have no personal experience with these.

**bgmando** · Feb-01-2008, 3:53pm

I had very good luck with a Silver Angel mandolin made by Ken Ratcliff of Kentucky.
They have unique touches and are not clones of others. He's a master at getting good bass and balance. He'll build to suit your specs, and is very good to work with.
My only glitch was not taking a measurement of the mando I was used to because I loved its neck. Ken's came in a little more shallow from front to back than what I was used to, and I realized after I should have sent very specific neck requests. He could have easily met it.
Laura Ratcliff's A models are simply excellent, too.

All these builders are good. That's your pleasant dilemma.

**Chris Biorkman** · Feb-01-2008, 4:01pm

There has been a lot of praise for Ben Wilcox's mandolins around here recently. He must be doing something right. He frequently has new instruments come up for sale on his website too, so you might not have to endure a long wait list (which can be torture).

**elvisNoir** · Feb-01-2008, 4:23pm

Originally Posted by (Sadee @ Jan. 30 2008, 16:07)

If you had $3 - $5K to spend on an F style mandolin, which independent builder would you go with? I'm more concerned about tone and ease of play than fit and finish, however, I would like it to look fairly nice! Thanks!

There are some different ways to approach buying a mando. Often it is some combination of:
Some do a lot of internet research, forming an opinion based mostly on reading. Some try to play lots of examples of various different builders mandos. Some people are heavily influenced by the perceived philosophy of the builder, or the personal interaction with the builder. Some act on the reputation of the builder, and some act on the advice of others.

For my part, having done a bit of all of the above in getting my several mandolins, I would urge an approach which involved learning, experience, and patience. Some day you will be someplace, doing something or other, and you will pick up some mandolin, being offered at some price which you can afford, and it will be all that you thought you wanted in a mandolin, and you will be some kind of fool if you don't buy it. Some advice.

**LeonEvans** · Feb-01-2008, 4:24pm

I'd have to put in my vote for Stephen Holst. He's priced in the bottom of your range and does wonderful work.

Leon

**pickinNgrinnin** · Feb-01-2008, 6:32pm

Lots of choices in this price range. However, I'd recommend a builder who has extensive Loar knowledge and is well respected in the builders/repair forum - Adrian Minarovic, aka Hogo. He produced some of the finest building plans available today. See them here I have his #7 and it might be the only one here in the states. Adrian lives in Slovakia and he builds his Mandolins with 16th century tools. I don't believe he uses any power tools to build his Mandolins. Incredible tone, fit and finish. You would be very hard pressed to find anyone nicer to work with. I contacted him through the cafe and he built me exactly what I was looking for in an F5. This one would compare very favorably to an F5 in the 8k-10k range. It's my M.A.S. killer!