For those who have ordered an Old Wave

**jlb** · Feb-12-2004, 11:31am

I am getting some money together, and am interested in buying a custom A model, Old Wave definitely on the radar.

I have read here that Bussman is great to work with. Question I have is about what types of custom work will raise the base cost.

Really so this doesn't get overboard, I'm not talking about $5K tuners, inlay up the ying-yang, or anything too fancy.

Specifically I'm just curious about whether specifying a certain finish color, and perhaps a quilted maple back, will effect the price of the mandolin.

**oldwave maker** · Feb-12-2004, 11:55am

Paisley or leopardskin finishes will raise the price of the deposit, whammy bars, built in electronic drums and radiation proof hardshell cases will raise the final price, that nice quilt from Orcas Island tonewoods wont.
old wave: when 'good enough' costs more than a mexican liver transplant!

**phynie** · Feb-12-2004, 11:59am

I have been looking for paisley quilted maple for months now!

**John Flynn** · Feb-12-2004, 12:05pm

Originally Posted by

old wave: when 'good enough' costs more than a mexican liver transplant!

Bill: LOL! That is the kind of motto you can really hang your hat on. I think another motto you could use is, "The Lloyd Loar of mandolins that look like produce!" (P-style mandolins) I really hope I get to order a mandolin from you some day. You crack me up, your stuff looks great and I have heard great things from people who have played them.

**jasona** · Feb-12-2004, 2:43pm

Originally Posted by (oldwave maker @ Feb. 12 2004, 12:55)

whammy bars...will raise the final price

Whoa. I seem to recall that Niles was looking for a mando with a whammy bar a couple of months ago...

**PhilGE** · Feb-12-2004, 7:47pm

Originally Posted by

I seem to recall that Niles was looking for a mando with a whammy bar a couple of months ago...

Didn't Bill Monroe have a "whammy" bar installed on his mandolin? Took Charlie to staighten it out, me thinks.

Bill B's easy to work with, that's for sure. I used Corel Photopaint to "age" a photo of one of his instruments and I got exactly what I sent him. Below is the image from his website next to an image of my OW.

-Phil

**jlb** · Feb-12-2004, 7:59pm

she's a beaut, Phil. Always nice to see that I'm not the only one who druels over that vintage Gibson A aesthetic. Any pictures of the back, perchance?

**PhilGE** · Feb-12-2004, 8:42pm

jlb, you can see all you want and listen a bit HERE.

Can you tell I'm a big fan of Mr. B?

-Phil

**jlb** · Feb-13-2004, 7:19am

Phil,

That is a sharp looking back, too. #Very nice looking mandolin all around!

If I may be so bold, that's some lovely pickin' as well. I like your style

**sonnyjammer** · Feb-21-2004, 8:48am

No financial interest here, but Gruhns Guitars have an Old Wave oval hole listed for sale. I too am curious what folks have to say about the sound of the Old Wave Ovals.

**Spruce** · Feb-21-2004, 5:29pm

"Paisley or leopardskin finishes will raise the price of the deposit, whammy bars, built in electronic drums and radiation proof hardshell cases will raise the final price, that nice quilt from Orcas Island tonewoods wont."

It was perhaps my favorite moment ever perusing these threads to wander into this sentence...
Pure Bussman at it's best...
The funny thing is that Bill probably would build you a leopard-skin mando with a wammy bar in a radiation proof case.... #

I dunno about the electronic drums....

Hey Bill...
Have you posted a pic of that sweet redwood A5 on these pages yet? #Cool mando...

**Jim Hilburn** · Feb-22-2004, 8:43am

Anyone that shows up at a mando tasting with their mandolin in an airbag that was deployed when they hit a deer will do just about anything.

**Spruce** · Feb-22-2004, 12:20pm

Here's one of Bill's latest...
"Dimpled" redwood on the top.....
Elegant, no?

**danmills** · Feb-28-2004, 7:02pm

There's an Old Wave oval hole mandolin built in 2000 listed for sale on craigslist.org in the San Francisco Bay Area (Danville/San Ramon). Here's a direct link that might work:

http://www.craigslist.org/eby/msg/25256911.html

I don't know any details about it, but he's asking $1400, which is considerably less than the $1850 that Gruhn wants.

Dan (who is waiting not-so-patiently for his Flatiron to show up next week)

**gretschbigsby** · Feb-28-2004, 8:26pm

This guy makes great mandos.... Wow. I'd love to check one out in person some time... Any stores in New England carry them?

**PhilGE** · Feb-29-2004, 7:28am

I think on rare occasion. Might be better to try and find someone who owns one in that area. Try contacting Bill (oldwave maker) directly and he might point you to someone.

-Phil