What would you choose for a $5000 A-style?

[terzinator]

I'm toying (yes, just toying!) with the idea of getting a small-builder A-style, and in my fantasy, I have $5000 to spend.

I play bluegrass, but I don't sound like I do. (Not trad bluegrass at all, meaning I'm not a speedster, and I'm really just a hack. But we do play bluegrass tunes.) I love playing fiddle tunes. Also folky stuff and old-time country stuff. I don't need a mandolin with the "Gibson sound" (search for the threads!). It's not my day job. A gig here and there. Lots of jams, so it should be relatively loud. Playability is key.

I'll seek out a 1-3/16" nut, speed neck (had it done on my MT and I love it), radius fingerboard, EVO frets (if possible), varnish finish, Waverly tuners, FF holes. Adi top (I think). Not sure if I want a burst or a natural or a blackface yet.

The builders I'm looking at include:

Tom Ellis
Andrew Mowry
Stan Miller
Ben Wilcox
Will Kimble
Lawrence Smart
John Hamlett
Lou Stiver
I won't rule out a Collings MT2V (I really like the orange burst I've seen on a few MT2s).

I dont NEED a commissioned custom (as many of the odd things I like can be done after the fact, like the speed neck, frets, tuners).

I know y'all get tired of the "what mandolin should I get?" threads, but think of this as a "Let's compare $5000 A-style mandolins" thread.

Thoughts? Any other builders in that price range I've carelessly overlooked?

[SternART]

If I were you I'd add Will Kimble to your list. I'm not sure what his current pricing is for an A model, but a pre-owned recently built one would certainly be in your budget.

[terzinator]

Yes, of course! Kimble! Complete oversight on my part, and should certainly be among the group.

And new, used, no matter. I'm good with either!

[Markus]

Can you get a Duff for that price? Maybe not the sound profile you're aiming at but huge sounding mandolins.

In my dreamworld, I'm debating between a Duff, Kimble, and the Mowry two-point that was recently in the classifieds. [dual pickup blonde ... drool]

[mandroid]

I like these: for their violin like build details..

A-Model Mandolin: $3950, Due, 2 point for $4950

http://www.campanellastrings.com/a-model/

but I own old Gibbys, and a Mix Carbon A5.

[JEStanek]

If it were me playing for that style and sound, I would add John Hamlett to the list of potential builders as well, along with the other suggestions. His designs and finishes look so good to my eyes. To be honest, I'm very reluctant to throw any names out as $5K will purchase a very fine A style from a host of tallented builders. There are many that I know I'll feel guilty about not mentioning when they are.

Jamie

[dcoventry]

http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/57360

And it appeared at YOUR REQUEST. Amazing.

[terzinator]

To be honest, I'm very reluctant to throw any names out as $5K will purchase a very fine A style from a host of tallented builders. There are many that I know I'll feel guilty about not mentioning when they are.

Jamie

Great point, Jamie. I feel the same way, and an omission on my part is less about dismissing the builder, and more about me not knowing who to add!

Maybe it's one of those things where I'm not really sure what to ask!

I listen to sound clips from many of these builders' sites, and they're all awesome. Probably comes down to how the thing feels in my hands. Frankly, I see myself buying a used one, as that will keep the cost down. It might not let me pick every little detail, but like I said, some of those bits can be changed later.

I wish I lived closer to some of the great shops mentioned here on the Cafe... Fiddler's Green, Acoustic Music Works, Mandolin Store, etc... (and lots of others), so I can try some of these mandolins in person. (Not that you see many small builder instruments on the store shelves, but I do need to get a better idea about what I would want in my next mandolin!)

[John Duncan]

Will Kimble without a doubt. If I needed (lol) a ~ $5000 A Style with enough volume to mow down 4-5 other people I'd go for one of Will's.

[terzinator]

http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/57360

And it appeared at YOUR REQUEST. Amazing.

I'm toying, remember. Merely toying.

That is nice, though...

[pefjr]

Above a thousand you are buying "pretty". I wouldn't buy anything newer than 15yrs. old. There is a lot out there in that price range. I would look for that rare one, that will appreciate strictly because there are not any more made, and the demand would keep the price going up.

[OldGus]

Buzz words: Poe Vana "Red Diamond" Passernig Voight

[Denny Gies]

terzinator, give Randy Wood a call. He may be making A style mandolins in your price range. His website is Randy Wood Guitars.

[Jim Garber]

I assume that you are looking for an A5 and not an oval hole? In any case of the ones on your list I have played and was impressed by Kimble and Mowry for sure. I would also put Lawrence Smart into that list. For some reason Smart has become under the radar lately tho I know a small bunch of people who have instruments made by him. I would also include Brentrup tho he is not building many of late. And tho he is priced below your max I have played and enjoyed many of Bill Bussman's work as well.

[terzinator]

Above a thousand you are buying "pretty".

Pretty looks, pretty playability or pretty tone?

I'm sure there's a law of diminishing returns at some point, but I'd suggest that point is quite a bit higher than $1000.

[terzinator]

I would also include Brentrup tho he is not building many of late.

I know Hans. (Well, we're not buddies or anything, but I've met him several times, and I took my previous MT to him to have him help me get it ready to sell.)

"Not building many" = "not building any." I asked him, and he says he just can't do it anymore. He's got bad tendonitis (I think that's what he said), and he can't carve anymore.

But he'd be right up there if he was. His "21" A-styles are really nice, but the used ones I've seen generally have a traditional setup (narrow nut/flat board).

Lawrence Smart is a good one, too. I'll add him to my list. (If I can still edit my original post!)

[fatt-dad]

Not quite $5,000.00 (more like $3K or a touch over), I'd consider Lou Stiver for sure.

I also just want every body to know that I just love my new Cohen!! A touch different? Yeah. Just a joy to play though, very well constructed, innovative, beautiful, just the whole package. Conventional? No, not even close (mines redwood and walnut).

I'd love to have John Hamlett build me a mandolin.

Larry Muth is currently building me a red spruce/big-leaf A5 and I can't wait! He's more like $2.2K though, so I guess you could go with both a Muth and Cohen (like me) and be right at your overall price point.

Never play the other popular names mentioned above, but they sure make beautiful instruments judging from their photos and such.

f-d

[terzinator]

Thanks, f-d! Added!

Yeah, I don't NEED to spend $5000, but that would be my limit.

[pefjr]

Pretty looks, pretty playability or pretty tone?

I'm sure there's a law of diminishing returns at some point, but I'd suggest that point is quite a bit higher than $1000.

Course this is all opinion. Personally, I hate depreciation, and love appreciation. The used market seems to be in the favor of the buyer right now. Lots to choose from.

[nobullmando74]

Campanella. Joe makes a fine mandolin in your price range. But be ready to wait, he is a year out.

[Mike Bunting]

I'd put Chris Stanley on that list of great builders and yes I believe that $5000 will get an A5 directly to your door from Paul Duff.

[KTB]

Consider Austin Clark. I've played an F of his and it scored high in all catagories.

[Steve Davis]

The list keeps getting longer. We're living in a Golden Age of Luthiery.

[Mike Bunting]

The list keeps getting longer. We're living in a Golden Age of Luthiery.

We are indeed.

[terzinator]

The list keeps getting longer. We're living in a Golden Age of Luthiery.

It's a wonderful, horrible dilemma.

Help! I'm shutting down! Too many choices!

I think it probably means I just keep my eyes open to the used market, and be ready to strike when something comes along that fits the bill. The wider nut preference might limit my choices for used, though. But one luthier's 1-1/8" might be as comfy as another's 1-3/16". (I will not put the word "nut" in that sentence and become someone's sig line. )