Can somebody PLEASE tell me what mandolin I'm dreaming about?

**multidon** · Jul-31-2012, 10:04pm

I have been dreaming about my ideal mandolin lately. In my dreams I can see myself playing it. But does it really exist at all? And what brand and model is it? The name on the headstock and the label are kind of blurry and indistinct in my dreams. The characteristics are pretty specific though. It is an A style F hole. It is made in USA. It has nice round, rich lows and beautiful crystal clear highs. It plays "like butter". It is beautiful to behold, with nicely flamed back and sides, but very simply appointed. What few inlays it has are understated elegance. And in my dream I am smug and happy that this beautiful example cost me less than $2000 brand new. Can anyone please tell me what name is on that headstock, and what model designation is on that blurry label? Or am I only dreaming?

Oh yeah, it has a wide nut and a radius fretboard too.

**Ben Milne** · Jul-31-2012, 10:12pm

Maybe a Kratzer/Bulldog but I don't think Barry would make blurry inlays (not ruling any other builders out, a Bulldog was the first to pop into mind).

**almeriastrings** · Jul-31-2012, 10:42pm

Silverangel A sounds pretty close. Lots of nice photos in this thread:

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...econo-with-cat

Price is "a dream" too...

http://www.silverangelmandolins.com/pricing.html

These do have a wonderfully warm, rich low end, but with plenty on the treble too. Radius board. Super mandolins, period.

Nut width options and another example:

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...verangel-econo

**OldSausage** · Jul-31-2012, 10:43pm

Most likely it's a Silverangel. Oh, snap.

**almeriastrings** · Jul-31-2012, 10:54pm

Great minds think alike, obviously

**shortymack** · Aug-01-2012, 1:47am

Wow those are beautiful.

**Bob Clark** · Aug-01-2012, 2:45am

I'm not sure, but I think it could be a Weber!

**G7MOF** · Aug-01-2012, 3:50am

Can you supply photo's?

**NG53** · Aug-01-2012, 4:21am

Well, I agree with Old Sausage and Almeria Strings that I dream of a Silver Angel A-5 mandolin - superlative sound and wonderful looks with character and pinache. Sounds and looks like no other mandolin.

For sound, see Old Sausage's youtube samples:

Old Kentucky: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbiG-...=ULKLfIWLyxy8Q

Faded Love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyDsi...hannel&list=UL

Morrison's Jig: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opY9T...KMU&playnext=1

Old Dangerfield: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCSMDz7kgvI&feature=plcp

Yer can't get a better mandolin than that. Good playing David.

I fact I have ordered one from Ken. Should get it in a couple of months.

Nic

**CelticDude** · Aug-01-2012, 6:22am

I would think it's a Collings MT, probably with a gloss top. Slightly over your $2K limit, but not by much. At least, this turned out to be my dream mando.

**Astro** · Aug-01-2012, 7:55am

Originally Posted by G7MOF

Can you supply photo's?

How 'bout a link ?

**Justus True Waldron** · Aug-01-2012, 9:32am

Well if in your dream it was actually $2800 and completely built by hand than you were in fact dreaming about a Macica A... It's a pretty common phenomenon actually, I dream about them all the time!

**fatt-dad** · Aug-01-2012, 9:58am

I'm just saying, I love the mandolin that Dave Cohen built for me. I mean I really love it! Problem is that walnut doesn't have much flame, but that's o.k. with me, 'cause it's beautiful anyhow.

He's a bit over your price point though. . .

f-d

**bmm5255** · Aug-01-2012, 10:34am

Could be a Lafferty. Simple understated elegance, plays like butter, incredible sound, made in USA, and in your price range. Note: Some of the Lafferty A's have a flat fretboard. But it is available with radiused.

Bruce

**terzinator** · Aug-01-2012, 11:01am

Originally Posted by CelticDude

I would think it's a Collings MT, probably with a gloss top. Slightly over your $2K limit, but not by much. At least, this turned out to be my dream mando.

^ This.

And used, easily less than $2k.

**OldSausage** · Aug-01-2012, 4:28pm

Dream said "brand new".

**woodwizard** · Aug-01-2012, 5:19pm

It was the one and only first Gibson A5 I'm sure

... oh wait a minute ... that may be my dream

**Mike Herlihy** · Aug-01-2012, 5:42pm

Ya know what Freud said, "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar", but I think this is a sign of deep-rooted wish fulfillment being channeled into a secondary remembered activity.

**Sid Simpson** · Aug-03-2012, 1:37am

Could be a Summit, too. http://themandolinhut.com/summit_mandolin_a_100_sa.htm . I understand Paul Schneider is one of the folks working on the Laffertys for Dennis at the Mandolin Store. Summits seem to be a bit under the radar, but are very nice sounding mandos.

**multidon** · Aug-06-2012, 8:47pm

Thank you all who chimed in to help me get the dream into focus. It is very clear to me now. The headstock said "Weber". My true love was residing at Trinity Guitars in Jamestown, NY. Great folks to deal with by the way. If you play acoustic guitar especially you will think you died and went to heaven. They had 6 or 7 Weber mandos in stock and I played 'em all to make darn sure that it was true love indeed that I felt for my Bitterroot A. and indeed it was! Made in USA- check. Looks great with understated elegance and flawless craftsmanship- check. Flamed maple- check. Plays like butter and sounds great, well balanced bottom to top- check. And it cost me SUBSTANTIALLY less than 2000. For my money, it seems like great bang for the buck. I truly believe this purchase will keep away my MAS for some time to come.