The Lafferty is going back to Dennis today, best of luck to everyone that has entered the contest to win it. I think you'll really enjoy it.
The Lafferty is going back to Dennis today, best of luck to everyone that has entered the contest to win it. I think you'll really enjoy it.
Nice road test, pictures and sound file.
Now, I know I am totally going to set off explosions by saying this... and I know this mando was meant to be understated. And affordable. And I can see even from the pictures the fit and finish is technically perfect on every level. It sounds good... I even bet it looks a lot better in person than it does in pictures. Still.... I just can't wrap my head around the looks! Solid matte brown with an unbound fretboard and headstock? It's just so..... brown! What can brown do for you? Apparently a lot, because everyone seems to be raving about it's looks. For me? Not so much... but to each his own! It just looks kind of uninspired and sterile to me. Of course, in the hands of a loving owner and some wear in the finish, I'm sure it'll transform into something special. I'm just having a hard time seeing it right now. I did enter the contest though, so in the slim chance I win I'll be happy to trade it to someone for some type of F to take camping when I don't want to risk the good 'un [=
- 2004 Macica A
- 1952 Selmer Centered Tone
- Eastwood electric mandola
(and lots more)
so why won't they say who made it? I mean is it a company like Weber that is just branding it for the Mandolin Store? That would be my guess, kinda like Epiphone and Gibson or something like that.
Anyway, I think it's dumb they won't say who made it. But I will of course still be excited to open my email on the 15th and find out that it is coming home with me!
The Mandolin Store likes brown. In fact my Weber Bridger finish is a custom Mandolin Store brown. You can see the picture in my avatar. For some reason the good folks at the Mandolin Store really like brown. I think the color on my Weber bridger is awesome though, but i do agree, this Lafferty does seem REALLY brown. But, i'd still take it!
A representative from Weber has stated unequivocally that Weber is not involved with this project.
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
[QUOTE=Justus True Waldron;1013591It's just so..... brown! What can brown do for you? [/QUOTE]
See I really like the earthy look. Shiny is fine and often absolutely gorgeous. But I'm not shiny and I'm kinda woodsy, so in a way the one they are giving away matches me. Lets face it, I would make that mandolin look even better as its brown contrasts starkly with my white flowing beard. Can you see it???
Kip...
Blessings,
Kip...
If you think you can or think you can't... you're likely right!
Eastman MD515, amid many guitars and a dulcimer.
I actually like the color, then again I liked the original finish on the A9 and F9 as well. Keep in mind they are trying to hit a price point here and doing it.
They're built by a guy named Mike and within the year every mandolin The Mandolin Store sells will be dark brown. Because, well, they just think we should all be playing brown mandolins. It's all part of a master plan. ...
Ah, now that I know the mandolin store likes brown it makes more sense... I do get the price point thing, too - that was exactly around where I was looking before I got my first real job and my mando came on the market in short succession...
Also bjshear I actually really like your instrument's color! I'm not against brown in all cases [=
- 2004 Macica A
- 1952 Selmer Centered Tone
- Eastwood electric mandola
(and lots more)
It's not that we're in love with brown, but after doing this for 10 years and selling thousands of mandolins, I have handle on what appeals to the majority of people - and it's brown tones. I'd be building them purple if that's what the most demand was for.
I love the looks of these mandolins. I also loved the original color of the Gibson A9 and F9. I just don't see the need to make every mandolin out there some kind of sunburst. The look is overdone. I like it when someone comes out with something a little different. That's one of the reasons why I have a Breedlove.
Larry Hunsberger
2013 J Bovier A5 Special w/ToneGard
D'Addario FW-74 flatwound strings
1909 Weymann&Sons bowlback
1919 Weymann&Sons mandolute
Ibanez PF5
1993 Oriente HO-20 hybrid double bass
3/4 guitar converted to octave mandolin
I really don't think it's that important who makes them (though it's really not that hard to figure out if you really look hard). To me, the real question is the sound & build quality. So far the feedback has been great in both areas. In addition, there is more than one builder on this project. I am also working on a high quality import wide nut F that I expect to see in the Spring with some luck................price...............not sure exactly but under $1500. Lastly, I'm really enjoying all of the threads and speculation..............and what fun would it be to tell everyone and me not be able to get my jollies reading these threads
PS - I like the TMS brown better too. That TMS brown color is all from Brett at Weber. The man is an artist when it comes to coloring mandolins!
Dennis, from what i've seen and heard (sound clips) of the new lafferty mandolins, you deserve your fun! Mike's pictures in this thread really showed the beauty of it, even in it's simplicity. But you know that us mandolin people, who get struck with MAS every few months, like all aspects of mandolins; wood selection, technique, picks, ect, including builders. I'll just have to enjoy the mystery and hope that I win this one so we can enjoy it first hand!
Dennis,
I love the color on the give away model... think it rocks TMS brown is too shiny for me!
Kip...
Blessings,
Kip...
If you think you can or think you can't... you're likely right!
Eastman MD515, amid many guitars and a dulcimer.
I'm having a ball working on The Lafferty mandolin project. I do want to publicly thank Mike for taking the time to do the review with pictures and even sound clips. It was most appreciated. I really hope the winner needs a new mandolin and can really enjoy it! Good luck to everyone.
Dennis,
I do I do I doooooooooo!
Kip...
Blessings,
Kip...
If you think you can or think you can't... you're likely right!
Eastman MD515, amid many guitars and a dulcimer.
Dennis, congratulations on this new venture, and on behalf of all of us in the Mandolin Cafe community, thanks to you and to The Mandolin Store for this fantastic and generous giveaway promotion.
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
Same here
"Perhaps imagination is only intelligence having fun."
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