The eagle has landed !

**Kbone** · May-19-2008, 10:04am

I received my ' Grey Eagle' F5 a few days ago & what a great sounding mando out of the box, beautiful sunburst and fern inlay & very responsive for a new mando.

If I posted this before ( about my finding the Grey Eagle builder Skip)I'm sorry - anyway I was looking for a good mandolin at a reasonable price, but wanted a good mandolin. I found out that Ray Lagere" of ' Bowfire" fame was touring with one, so he emailed me back and told me how much it sounded like his A Model 'Nugget' & he was having one built also.
I found Skip to be really receptive to what I wanted and really a great guy, a true charactor. The one thing his Grey Eagle's have is amazing sustain, more than any mandolin I've ever owned & the price is a steal.

I hope to have some pics soon *if* I can find someone to shoot and post.

**Lefty5** · May-19-2008, 5:16pm

looking forward to some pics.

**Bluegrass Nut** · May-20-2008, 3:40pm

Hi Y'all, I have a Grey Eagle mandolin #23 and a Grey Eagle guitar #3. Both are GREAT instruments. Skip built my mando with an Engleman top and maple back, sides and neck. It has a wider neck with block inlays and a slight radius and larger fret wire. He used gold tuners and a gold engraved James tailpiece. He finished it with a sunburst color and high gloss shine. I have to say this is the best mandolin I have ever owned. Since I have recieved my mando I have thined the herd down to two mandolins. The Weber and Grey Eagle. To tell you the truth I don't play The Weber much anymore. I still have MAS but not as bad. LOL. Like Kieth's is has been a killer out of the box and keeps getting louder and clearer every day. When I fret a string sound comes out of it. When a pick is applied to that string, stand back. There is a large amount of sustain and it has bell like tones when played softly. When played a little harder the banjo pickers jump back a bit and try to make their banjos louder. LOL. Also like Kieth said about Skip, he is a very nice guy to work with. We talked for a few months before he got to building my mando. It wasn't him either, it was me being too picky on what I thought I wanted. LOL. He did build me the mando of my dreams. Yes Keith, Skip is a character.

Mike Hartman

**Bill James** · May-20-2008, 4:39pm

I heard Keith's Grey Eagle on the phone the other day and I must say I can't wait until our bi-weekly jam so I can hear and play it in person.

**mandoh** · May-23-2008, 7:17pm

Here' a couple

**mandoh** · May-23-2008, 7:18pm

Number 2

**mandoh** · May-23-2008, 7:22pm

With Lacquer

**mandoh** · May-23-2008, 7:24pm

Again

**Kbone** · May-24-2008, 8:06am

I tell you, the pictures don't give it enough justice - really a beaut...

**Bluegrass Nut** · Jun-04-2008, 1:37pm

Grey Eagle # 23

**Bluegrass Nut** · Jun-04-2008, 1:41pm

Grey Eagle # 23

**Bluegrass Nut** · Jun-04-2008, 1:42pm

Grey Eagle # 23

**Bluegrass Nut** · Jun-04-2008, 1:43pm

Grey Eagle # 23

**Bluegrass Nut** · Jun-04-2008, 1:44pm

Grey Eagle # 23

**Bluegrass Nut** · Jun-04-2008, 1:48pm

Grey Eagle # 23 ( Inlayed Ebony )

**Bluegrass Nut** · Jun-04-2008, 1:51pm

Grey Eagle # 23

**Bluegrass Nut** · Jun-04-2008, 1:52pm

Grey Eagle # 23

**Bluegrass Nut** · Jun-04-2008, 1:59pm

Grey Eagle # 3

I know it ain't a mandolin but I just had to add the pictures of the Guitar Skip built for me.

**Bluegrass Nut** · Jun-04-2008, 2:00pm

Grey Eagle # 3

**Bluegrass Nut** · Jun-04-2008, 2:01pm

Grey Eagle # 3

**mandoh** · Jun-04-2008, 8:12pm

I love the bridge pins! All of the guitars Skip has made have been outstanding in the volume dept. That mando is real nice also. What does it sound like?

**Bluegrass Nut** · Jun-04-2008, 9:30pm

The pictures don't do either instrument justice. I haven't learned how to use that camera yet. It is much nicer looking in person and the sound, WOW! Well it has a deep BARK when chopped! It has a very sweet voice when played moderately! When you pick on it thought it is very loud! I believe it could be called a banjo killer! It is a very well balanced mandolin all over the fret board. It responds well, all I have to do is touch the strings to the frets and it is making that note. Kinda like it is ( Dare I Say ) Electrified!!!!!!!! It just keeps getting louder and clearer every day. The chimes just ring like a bell. Unfortunately though I broke my middle finger on my left hand last Thursday so it will be a while before I can play it right again. About 5 more weeks!!!!! Oh Yeah, those pins were ordered from Brian England at Custom Inlay. He does great work.
# # # Mike Hartman