Lafferty F5 Mandolin, this is driving me nuts

**hedgehog** · Mar-24-2012, 2:36pm

Okay - first off I've read what I can find by doing a search and quite frankly I give a darn about exactly who makes the instrument. The folks at the Mandolin Store seem to like "who" they have come up with and that's good enough for me as far as the manufacturer is concerned. So please lets not go down the road to "Who built the mandolin."

I'm suffering a low grade case of MAS and have been looking hard on line at Webers and now the Lafferty has caught my eye. I'm quite happy with my LM-600, but I do suffer from a bit of "Made in America" blues. Intelectually I know this can be silly but its somehting deep down inside that can't be helped. For instance I have a GF-85 Gold Star Banjo it plays like butter, but needed American made so added an OME to the stable. Both play well, but honestly the GF-85 is somehow more natural for me, I love the OME though.

I will be taking a trip up to Surprise Arizona to check the Lafferty out, but if any of you have experience with the F5, I read Mikes review of the give away A model, please feel free to lay your opinion on the line. If you'd rather go private send a message.

Thanks
Michael

**northfolk** · Mar-24-2012, 3:15pm

Originally Posted by hedgehog

Okay - first off I've read what I can find by doing a search and quite frankly I give a darn about exactly who makes the instrument. The folks at the Mandolin Store seem to like "who" they have come up with and that's good enough for me as far as the manufacturer is concerned. So please lets not go down the road to "Who built the mandolin."

I'm suffering a low grade case of MAS and have been looking hard on line at Webers and now the Lafferty has caught my eye. I'm quite happy with my LM-600, but I do suffer from a bit of "Made in America" blues. Intelectually I know this can be silly but its somehting deep down inside that can't be helped. For instance I have a GF-85 Gold Star Banjo it plays like butter, but needed American made so added an OME to the stable. Both play well, but honestly the GF-85 is somehow more natural for me, I love the OME though.

I will be taking a trip up to Surprise Arizona to check the Lafferty out, but if any of you have experience with the F5, I read Mikes review of the give away A model, please feel free to lay your opinion on the line. If you'd rather go private send a message.

Thanks
Michael

I just send you a message.

**barrangatan** · Mar-24-2012, 5:05pm

There is a used Lafferty F5 in the classifieds right now. If you are keen on trying one, I can't think of a better way to do that. NFI myself, but I had bought a mandolin from the seller before and he's a great guy to deal with.

**Ivan Kelsall** · Mar-25-2012, 3:18am

From hedgehog - "I have a GF-85 Gold Star Banjo...."You mean one of these. That's the Gold Star GF100 i used to own.I had my Stelling as well,but the Gold Star despite it's Chinese origins was incredible,as are many of the Chinese made Mandolins that we're seeing. I know it's nice to make 'patriotic purchases',but sometimes when cash is tight (has it ever been tighter than right now ?),you have to make the most financially viable purchase that you can,
Ivan

**hedgehog** · Mar-25-2012, 11:18am

No - It's a GF-85 and I do love it so. The GF-100 is a bit of an upgrade. Mine has the same ring as the GF-100, now they supposidly come with a different ring. For a while, except for the variety of inlays there was little reason to pay the extra money for the GF-100 .... Both are GREAT banjo's in their own right let alone the money.

**barrangatan** · Mar-25-2012, 1:17pm

Hmm... let's not allow the discussion to descend into something about banjo...

**hedgehog** · Mar-25-2012, 4:26pm

I hear you

, My fingers were a bit tremulous to strike the "Post" button the first time I mentioned the banjo. I'm drawn to having at least one American made instrument of what ever type I'm playing at the time. I know I won't get much from my LM-600 as a trade so it's going to stay with me.

I do find the relative silence on the subjest of the Lafferty problematical in this decission making process. I can't help but wonder if the fact that they are a strong voice in the mandolin community keeping honest possibly harsh opinion from being voiced or is it simply that there aren't very many in peoples hands yet. There certainly is plenty of discussion on the Loar, Kentucky, Gibson, Collings, and many others relaive silence on matters concerning the quality f the Lafferty. Oh, there has been plenty of discussion on "WHO" actually makes the instruments and how the name came about, but little about the instruments themselves.

**Schlegel** · Mar-25-2012, 5:15pm

I'd be shocked if very many had sold yet, given the short time they've been out. It's not like they are $300 guitars.

**northfolk** · Mar-25-2012, 5:22pm

hedgehog, I have given my evaluation of The Lafferty in past forums; I also sent you a private message yesterday? As you know I gave it a very good review. A big part of the problem with no feedback on The Lafferty is due to the fact there are very few of them in circulation; I would guess less than 10? I am in the unfortunate position of having to sell mine in order to raise funds? I have yet to read any negative reviews; just not that many to review?

**Gerry Cassidy** · Mar-25-2012, 5:57pm

I try not to post too much on the Lafferty's, or any other Mandolin Store subjects as I am very fortunate to live very close to the shop and spend as much time as possible visiting. I have gotten to know Dennis fairly well and have only come like him more and more with each visit. With all that, I don't want to end up looking like The Mando Store hood ornament. So, I try to post only on the stuff I feel strongly about. I try to remain as neutral as possible.

I feel pretty strongly about the Lafferty stuff I have had the chance to get my hands on. I am "Patiently" waiting for the first run of A Oval's to arrive, as one of them is mine.

The only thing I have noticed was some of the fret work on just a couple of them. Otherwise, they are very impressive. The fit (joinery, binding, set-up, etc.) and the nice, light weight really give them the feel, look, and tone much the same as some of the higher priced, solo-shop, one-off's I've played.

**JeffD** · Mar-25-2012, 7:56pm

Originally Posted by hedgehog

I do find the relative silence on the subjest of the Lafferty problematical in this decission making process. I can't help but wonder if the fact that they are a strong voice in the mandolin community keeping honest possibly harsh opinion from being voiced or is it simply that there aren't very many in peoples hands yet..

Problematical? Its a brand new brand. Everything I have read is good to great. Mikes review was more detailed and informed than you are likely to get from 50 fanboy posts.

I take silence as consent. Something negative would be talked about.

**hedgehog** · Mar-25-2012, 11:03pm

Northfolk - yep I got your message and am intersted, I didn't mention your message because what is written in a PM usually stays in a PM out of my respect for the sender.

To others, thanks for the responces. I thought there might be a quantity available for evaluation issue, I also don't know how widely they have been marketed meaning appearances at festivals and such. While there might not be many in owners hands, there could be several thousand people that have had them in their hands. Since I'm in Arizona a trip up north is in order. The problem is I have a very serious offer from Northfolk and I don't believe in testing at the store and buying somewhere else. So, either I buy basically blind saving serious money or go up and try them at The Mandolin Store to buy from them. My own kind of ethics I guess, can't be helped.

**Gerry Cassidy** · Mar-26-2012, 11:02am

In this case, I don't think you'd be too terribly put out if you bought one sight unseen. If it wasn't for you I'd think you could resell it quite easily.

**hedgehog** · Mar-26-2012, 11:09am

Gerry - I think you are right about that. The seller might have another buyer already. Looks like this one will get away from me.

**Gerry Cassidy** · Mar-26-2012, 11:26am

Well, unfortunately, that can happen...

... Fortunately, you can head up here and hang out with Dennis, Brian, and ALL them little mandolins they have hanging on the walls for the day!

**JeffD** · Mar-26-2012, 4:37pm

Originally Posted by hedgehog

While there might not be many in owners hands, there could be several thousand people that have had them in their hands. .

Several thousand? That would surprise me. Several hundred, maybe a thousand or a little more, I would think.

**hedgehog** · Mar-26-2012, 4:50pm

Yes, possibly an over estimation, the true number depends on where they have been displayed and how often, but I believe the most understood my meaning.