Mowry mandolins

**mandolirius** · Aug-11-2009, 12:34am

Would anyone care to comment on Mowry mandolins from a sound perspective. The pics show that these are beautifully-crafted instruments and the general view seems to be that the workmanship and detail is top-notch. That's all great but what I'd like to know is what people's impression is of their sound. I've never played or even seen one other than on the net.

**Ivan Kelsall** · Aug-11-2009, 1:30am

I've never been face to face with a Mowry,but a while ago there was thread on here re.Mowry instruments & the general concensus of opinion from those that have,is that they're exceptionally fine instruments - try a search on Mowry,
Ivan

**man dough nollij** · Aug-11-2009, 1:44am

Here's an in-depth review of a Mowry two-point on Jazzmando.com. I've never played a Mowry or even heard one in person, but I identified Andrew as a real up-and-coming star builder, and I got on his two year list for a two-pointer. Andrew has been very accessible, and has been happy to answer my pesky questions.

**Skip Kelley** · Aug-11-2009, 6:11am

In the mp3 section, Josh Pinkham has recorded Old Dangerfield with one of Andrew's mandolins. Check it out!

**papawhisky** · Aug-11-2009, 7:57am

Originally Posted by Skip Kelley

In the mp3 section, Josh Pinkham has recorded Old Dangerfield with one of Andrew's mandolins. Check it out!

That mp3 has inspired me to learn Old Dangerfield, which I have been working on for the last couple of weeks. The mp3 accurately conveys the Mowry sound. I own a Mowry F5 and think it is an awesome sounding mandolin.

A few weeks ago I was in Nashville and had a chance to sit down at Cotten Music and Gruhn Guitars and play a lot of mandolins and do A/B comparisons between my Mowry and pretty much every thing in stock. I played a couple of Altmans (Altmen?), Daley, Triggs, Tope, Gibsons. If I found something better than my Mowry, I was ready to make a deal and leave with it. What I found in the various mandolins was very nuanced, very slight variations in sound. Some of the mandos were a little stronger in certain ranges, some had a little more chop, a little less treble. I was aware of the trade offs made in sound--generally, it seems that to maximize sound in one area (bass or treble or volume or clarity) tradeoffs must me made. Every mando had a distinct sound and resonance, but they were much more similar than they were different. They were all great instruments and I would have been proud to own any one of them. The Mowry is in that group and fared very well in the A/B comparisons.

**sgarrity** · Aug-11-2009, 8:01am

I've only played one Mowry, an long necked oval hole A-style. The workmanship was excellent and the tone and volume were everything you could ask for. I'd like to play one of his F5s and see how they fare. They certainly look great!

**trevor** · Aug-11-2009, 10:30am

I have an A5 at home and an F5 in my store. I agree with Patrick. Both have excellent tone and are up there with the best that I have. The A5 is developing with playing and is my current 'go to mandolin', its is a delight.

**Jill McAuley** · Aug-11-2009, 11:11am

Trevor's A5 has one of my all time favourite headstocks - and everything about that mandolin is just pure class to my eye.

Cheers,
Jill

**mandolirius** · Aug-11-2009, 8:50pm

Thanks for the comments so far. I'd love to hear from others who've played a Mowry.

**Bruce Clausen** · Aug-11-2009, 11:03pm

Mandolirius: I mostly play on a Mowry A-5. An early one, so it may not be typical of the sound of Andrew's current work, but I'm very pleased with it. Hard to describe, though. If you ever get over to Vancouver, PM me and I'll be glad to show it to you.

BC

**Brad Weiss** · Aug-11-2009, 11:40pm

I really like my Mowry A-5 a lot. I have 3 excellent mandolins, and I took my Mowry with me for my extended 5 week summer absence - so that must say something. It is an impeccably made instrument. When I commissioned it in 2006, it was an amazing deal; Andrew's mandolins are still a good value. The instrument is absolutely stunning, from the woods to the fit and finish, and all the details. Trevor has paid me and Andrew a great compliment by copying the design for mine (I hope Trevor doesn't mind that assertion!)

The tone is powerful - rich, full etc. I have a load of Youtubes with it at my signature. I have it set up to play with a heavier attack than my other mandolins, which I have set up with lighter strings. It is quite loud, but not harsh. It has a very clear tone, without being precious. One of Andrew's pending customers was in my neighborhood earlier this summer and played mine - we were both happy!

**mandolirius** · Aug-11-2009, 11:45pm

Originally Posted by Bruce Clausen

Mandolirius: I mostly play on a Mowry A-5. An early one, so it may not be typical of the sound of Andrew's current work, but I'm very pleased with it. Hard to describe, though. If you ever get over to Vancouver, PM me and I'll be glad to show it to you.

BC

Thanks for the offer Bruce. I may be in Vancouver later this month.

**Chris Biorkman** · Aug-11-2009, 11:51pm

I've always thought his mandolins are some of the most beautiful around. His workmanship and creativity are breathtaking. I was on his list at one point. Maybe some day I will be again when his list is shorter than it currently is. I'm too impatient to wait two and a half years for anything.

**Gary Alter** · Aug-12-2009, 12:09am

I've owned one of Andrew's F5s and currently have an oval hole A from him. His workmanship is impeccable and the sound is excellent. To top it off, Andrew is one of the nicest people you could work with, he really puts everything he has into building you the mandolin you want. His prices are very reasonable and his instruments are tough to beat especially at their pricepoint. BTW, there's a mint F5 in the classified that looks mighty nice for those of you who don't want to wait.

Gary

**mandolirius** · Aug-12-2009, 1:53am

Originally Posted by Gary Alter

I've owned one of Andrew's F5s and currently have an oval hole A from him. His workmanship is impeccable and the sound is excellent. To top it off, Andrew is one of the nicest people you could work with, he really puts everything he has into building you the mandolin you want. His prices are very reasonable and his instruments are tough to beat especially at their pricepoint. BTW, there's a mint F5 in the classified that looks mighty nice for those of you who don't want to wait.

Gary

That's the one I'm thinking about. I'd have to trade a really nice Montana-era Flatiron F5 to make the deal. I don't really want to let it go, but I don't have an extra few grand to spend on mandolins so I'd have to give up something good to get something good. I hated to see the Phoenix in my avatar go, but I wanted the Flatiron more. I'd love to be able to keep everything. Man, what a collection I'd have.

**Mike Snyder** · Aug-12-2009, 3:29am

The builder website is MOST impressive. Awesome shop photos and sound samples. Never seen one here in the midwest. That's a sweet one at mandomutt. Are you sure you can live with the neck? Looks skinny.

**trevor** · Aug-12-2009, 3:32am

Brad,
I saw the pictures of yours on Andrew's website, didn't know whose it was. I think the only change was to my headstock inlay design.

**Chris Biorkman** · Aug-12-2009, 2:09pm

Here are some better pictures of the one in the classifieds. These are taken from Andrew's website. I think it's hard to take good pictures of instruments, but he manages to do pretty well. I love the color on this one. The build perfection reminds me of my Ellis. Wow.

**Brad Weiss** · Aug-12-2009, 6:25pm

Originally Posted by trevor

Brad,
I saw the pictures of yours on Andrew's website, didn't know whose it was. I think the only change was to my headstock inlay design.

Glad you like it! I like your headstock as well- and the black buttons are a nice touch!

**papawhisky** · Aug-12-2009, 11:35pm

There is a sunburst F5 Mowry in the classifieds too

**Chris Biorkman** · Aug-13-2009, 12:12am

Isn't that yours?

**Ivan Kelsall** · Aug-13-2009, 12:33am

If those pics.that Chris.posted is the one in the Classifieds - then it's a steal !.That's one of the sweetest looking instruments i've seen in a long while.The colour is stunning & it looks to have my all-time favourite inlay pattern - NONE !,
Ivan

**JoeD** · Aug-13-2009, 12:15pm

If those pics.that Chris.posted is the one in the Classifieds - then it's a steal !.That's one of the sweetest looking instruments i've seen in a long while.The colour is stunning & it looks to have my all-time favourite inlay pattern - NONE !

Actually, the mandolin in the pictures Chris posted was mine until last month. It's a beautiful instrument with great tone. It was loosely modeled on John Reichman's Heiden. I sold it along with a Gibson ES335 to come up with the cash for an Ellis F5 that I've coveted for some time.

I sold it outright to Kevin at MandoMutt.com (where it is currently listed for sale), so I no longer have any financial interest. I can say that Andrew's build quality and set-up are simply perfect. The tone is great - I think it's a more sophisticated tone than a Gibson-style sound, but it's got plenty of volume and a good chop for bluegrass. I certainly hope if finds a good home. If anyone's interested in it, feel free to PM me. Likewise, if anyone is thinking of commissioning an instrument with Andrew, he is a pleasure to work with.

**red7flag** · Aug-13-2009, 2:07pm

I was so taken by the lovely pictures of the blackface, I have now been in contact with Andrew about building a guitar shaped OM with the same headstock as on the blackface, but proportionally larger. I love that headstock, very classy. I am considering walnut for the backs and sides. I am still in the thinking stage.

**Oggy** · Aug-13-2009, 2:36pm

Sometimes we do foolish things. One of my mishaps was when I declined the opportunity to be on Andrews list for an OM a couple of years ago. The wait was about 6 months and the prize was about 2500...

I believe the prize is close to 2000 more now. And the wait is quite a bit longer.