Pomeroy #52

**mandorado** · Jul-12-2004, 4:40pm

ethenopia ... you get used to it.

And cragger ... yeah, let's get together next time you visit the Rockies ... sounds like fun.

Did your mando show up today?

**Cragger** · Jul-13-2004, 6:55am

he shipped it yesterday and i tracked it this morning when i got to work. #the usps said it went out for delivery this mornign at 6:30. #i was planning on going home for lunch to wait for it but i might have to leave a little earlier. #i hope i'm there when it shows up or i might have wait until tonight. #i guess i could wait another few hours. #

mandorado, how far are you from the diamond and lumpyridge?

**mandorado** · Jul-13-2004, 7:11am

ah ... the waiting game. Isn't it fun?

I'm about 5 hours from Estes Park. I'll be up in that area for RockyGrass here in a couple of weeks. Planning on going fly fishing at Moraine Park with my bud Tim. Stealth fishing.

**Cragger** · Jul-13-2004, 8:01am

Sounds fun. We must have the same interests because I used to guide out of Bill Mason Outfitter's in Sun Valley. Fly Fishing is one of my passions. I just got back from fishing for muskies on the fly in Canada. I was catching them on big saltwater poppers.

**Cragger** · Jul-13-2004, 1:46pm

I just picked it up. Here is what I had to say to Don:

Don,

I’m speechless. I just picked up my mandolin from the post office. I must have opened the case three or four times on the way home. It is truly breathtaking. I couldn’t wait to play it when I got home. I wasn’t expecting much out of it since it is only about a week old. Most mandolins I have tried that were new felt really tight, brassy in tone, and pretty quiet and unresponsive. I pulled yours, or mine, out of the case, tuned it and played the first thing that came to mind. I played Whiskey before breakfast. To my astonishment it was loud, the tone in the lows were very pleasant to the ear, and it was very responsive. I could barely play it and get the prettiest sound or I could really put a lot into and get more of the same sound but with a lot of volume. The next couple of tunes were waltzes. I love to play waltzes because I feel that I can put more emotion into them since they are a little slower paced. Wow. I played Midnight on the Water which was very pretty sounding. Then I played The Lonesome Midnight Waltz and it sounded so good. It sounded deep and sad like I imagine it to be. I can tell I am going to love this mandolin for a long time. I think we will grow together to become a wonderful pair. Thanks for building me such a sweet sounding instrument. I can’t wait to listen to it to progress. Oh yeah, and the finish, I don’t know if it is the lighting in my house or what, but I could not quit looking at it. Beautiful wood and a beautiful color in the stain. You can see the figure all the way to the binding but yet you were able to keep a nice dark sunburst. Anyway, thanks again. One last thing, I got all of this out of only playing it for about 10 minutes. I had to get back to work before they knew I was gone. No telling how good the comments will be when I get to play it all night!

Thanks,

Greg Reeves

**Ken Sager** · Jul-13-2004, 2:17pm

Cool. Very cool. I know the feeling and couldn't be happier for you. Thanks for sharing.

Best,
Ken

**mandorado** · Jul-13-2004, 5:54pm

Yeah ... you gotta love that action!
Congrats Cragger!

**Cragger** · Jul-14-2004, 6:36am

**Cragger** · Jul-14-2004, 9:39am

sorry about that last post. i was still speechless.

**mandorado** · Jul-16-2004, 7:09pm

Yo cragger ... two days with no post ... I'll take that as a sign things are going well between you and #52 ... lol.
I asked Don about removing the finish off my neck today ... let's see if he will do it. I don't know if he's going to like the idea, or hate it. But I played a San Juan Mandolin recently with a clean neck and it was freaking awesome.
I might buy one of those San Jauns some day when I have a few extra grand in the piggy bank.

**levin4now** · Jul-19-2004, 7:38am

What is it about the Pomeroy mandolins that give them that unique and beautiful color? It is almost a 'fruitiness' to the red and gives such a wonderful glow!

Truly beautiful - congrats cragger. I take it that Pomeroys are out of my current price range.

**mandorado** · Jul-19-2004, 7:48am

levin ... Don isn't a retail store ... if you are interested in his mandos, or seriously want one, you should give him a ring. I'm sure he can do something for you. His A models are sweet too, and less expensive. I have been considering having an A5 built because they are really nice. All of his A's that I have played are louder than my Flatiron ... and it's 6 years old and as open as it's going to get.
pomeroyinstruments.com

**mzbanjo** · Jul-19-2004, 8:29am

around what dollar price is the base price for one of don's f5s?

matt

**mandorado** · Jul-19-2004, 8:35am

$2500 will get you one sweet F5.
Starting prices for all models are listed on his site ... see the link in my previous post.

**Cragger** · Jul-19-2004, 10:20am

i think he just bumped up his starting price to $2800 on the website. #he is very willing to work things out and is great to work with. #i just got an email that said ken sager did some nice work with #43 at the utah mandolin picking championship. #maybe he will ring in here and tell everyone about it. ##52 is doing great and everyone in alabama is stunned by it's sound and it's looks. #i'm taking it to a big bg gathering this weekend so i'm sure it will get plenty of exposure. #maybe it will even get played by someone that can do it justice.

**Ken Sager** · Jul-19-2004, 10:33am

I'm happy to inform you that #43 helped me win the Utah State Mandolin Championship on Saturday. First prize was a new Weber mando and an automatic entry into Winfield.

I also happened to win the guitar championship (not playing the Pomeroy, though 8*), so I have a new Martin coming, too, and TWO paid entries into Winfield.

I emailed Don with the news on Saturday as soon as I got home. He wrote back that he was very pleased, and I'm honored that he's spreading the word.

Can't say enough good things about that mandolin.

Joy to all,
Ken

**Ken Sager** · Jul-19-2004, 10:34am

Here's a photo of #43 in action.

Pete, thanks for the photo!

**Cragger** · Jul-19-2004, 12:41pm

congratulations ken.

**Scotti Adams** · Jul-19-2004, 12:53pm

..Way to go Ken..thats great news!.....which leads me to this thought....most mando players are kick ### guitar players....

**mandorado** · Jul-19-2004, 1:04pm

Wow ... congratulations Ken. That's freaking awesome man. Sounds like we local Pomeroy fans should start planning on a trip to Winfield ... I would love to see you play there (and win)!

What tunes did you play on 43 to win?

**Ken Sager** · Jul-19-2004, 1:29pm

Red Haired Boy and Soldier's Joy. Those are the absolute simplest songs I know for playing straight once through, then opening them up for some improv, and dialing it back in for a clean finish. After the first few contestants did some far out stuff that was pretty technically challenging I decided it was best to keep it simple and just play cleaner than anybody else. I got some advice last year from the national flatpick guitar champ who told me contests are about playing cleanly, playing within your ability, and playing simple arrangements.

I guess it worked.

The judges later told me I won both contests hands down.

Best,
Ken

**AZmando** · Jul-20-2004, 12:50pm

Cragger,

#52 is beautiful!

About a year and a half ago, I bought #23, a round hole A style "off the shelf" from Don when he had a few extras (those days are gone now, I think). #Don's workmanship is fantastic, and the sound of #23 just gets better and better - really clear, and balanced up and down the neck and across the strings. #It's also the loudest mando I have ever played. #You would think there is a mini-Pignose amp in there. #Whenever I pick it up after playing another mando, it's a big jolt with all that volume rattlin' my ribcage.

I couldn't be happier with my Pomeroy, so I'm not surprised you are smilin' big time.

**Tom C** · Jul-20-2004, 1:00pm

Congratulations Ken. I just find it easier to buy my instruments.

**Cragger** · Jul-20-2004, 1:02pm

i pick it up every chance i get and am the added inspiration i get from #52 is really helping my playing progress. i have ventured out of the first position and am learning my way around fretboard more. it used to frustrate me to the point where i would put my mandolin down. now, i just keep on playing.