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Thread: Howard morris interview with mandolin sessions

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    A great article about Howard "Sonny" Morris appears in the August 2008 Mel Bay Mandolin Sessions.

    You can read the article in its entirety here:

    Mel Bay's Mandolin Sessions

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    wood butcher Spruce's Avatar
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    Nice to put a face to a name...

    Thanks for that.....

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    I've known Howard for many years. He used to come into my shop 20 years ago or more in Salem Oregon... It might have been in my shop that he felt the sting of retail and decided that he could build a less expensive mandolin; and he's done it by golly... He's a stand up guy who says what he means and means what he says and a darned good picker too... Ken Cartwright
    www.kencradio.com



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    Thumbs up Re: Howard morris interview with mandolin sessions

    I received my sweet Howard Morris mandolin today. It's a two-point, oval hole, blonde, made of western red cedar, big leaf maple and walnut. All lovingly hand made. The instrument is gorgeous and sounds even better than that! It was very modestly priced, yet has greater clarity and punch than my Gibson F9, and compares favorably with my Weber Big Horn and my beloved 1916 Gibson A. Moreover, Howard is a pleasure to do business with. I know I am not telling you all anything you don't already know, but let me add my praise to the chorus. The next time folks suffer an attack of MAS, I recommend a Morris!
    Julie

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    Default Re: Howard morris interview with mandolin sessions

    Ken is right - Howard told me the story about visiting Cartwright's and deciding to try to make his own mandolin (not a reflection of Ken's prices, mind you).

    I also believe a bit of an off-hand challenge from his lovely wife as to whether or not he could do it himself helped him along.

    I get the bug for a different instrument now and then (more "now" than "then"), and always tell myself I can do without my Morris A-5 to help with the financing...then I start playing it again and it stays.

    Howard, or "Sonny" as he likes to go by, has it going on - makes custom fiddles too. Your $$ couldn't be going to a nicer guy.


    Marc

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    Default Re: Howard morris interview with mandolin sessions

    Not sure why but the link didn't work for me as a link, but if you put the copy and paste the url in your browser ( http://www.mandolinsessions.com/aug08/Mendel.html ) it works fine. Just thought I'd post this, in case others were having trouble.
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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Howard morris interview with mandolin sessions

    I know this is an old thread, but i did find the correct archive link to this article here. You can't even find it on the Mel Bay site.
    Jim

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    Default Re: Howard morris interview with mandolin sessions

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    I know this is an old thread, but i did find the correct archive link to this article here. You can't even find it on the Mel Bay site.
    Thanks Jim. For anyone interested, I just posted the interview link to the Howard Morris Mandolins Fan Page on Facebook.
    c.1965 Harmony Monterey H410 Mandolin
    "What a long, strange trip it's been..." - Robert Hunter
    "Life is too important to be taken seriously." - Oscar Wilde
    Think Hippie Thoughts...
    Gear: The Current Cast of Characters

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    Registered User Mandobart's Avatar
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    Default Re: Howard morris interview with mandolin sessions

    Quote Originally Posted by Spruce View Post
    Nice to put a face to a name...

    Thanks for that.....
    Actually the face shown is Joe Mendel, the interviewer and another great builder. Sonny is great; I have the privilege of playing with him every now and then at the Old Time Fiddler's in my town. He is still a darn good picker and fiddler. One heck of a nice guy, too. My Morris F4 sounds and plays better than many I've tried at twice the price or more.

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    Work in Progress Ed Goist's Avatar
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    Default Re: Howard morris interview with mandolin sessions

    +1 on Sonny being a nice guy, and great to work with!
    Bruce, et al., here is a pic of Sonny:

    Click image for larger version. 

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    c.1965 Harmony Monterey H410 Mandolin
    "What a long, strange trip it's been..." - Robert Hunter
    "Life is too important to be taken seriously." - Oscar Wilde
    Think Hippie Thoughts...
    Gear: The Current Cast of Characters

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