Gibson Master Model - Page 2

Big Joe · 11-08-2009, 10:10 PM

There is a February 23, 1923 that belongs to Herschel Sizemore. We did some work on it a couple years ago. He left it with me for several months and told me to take it and play it. He had not used it for quite awhile because of the repairs it needed and wanted it to be played so it would open back up after sitting. I did play it. Boy did I! I think that is the best I've played in my opinion. Another great one is the one that Danny Roberts has. It is a December 22, 1922 and it is a GREAT mandolin. It is probably my second favorite. Again, this is what I have liked and others may not think they are as great as do I, but to me those are the ones I dream about at night!

Andrew DeMarco · 11-08-2009, 10:48 PM

Anyone know what specific "inspection" method was used? I ask because I don't think it was MR because truss rod and frets would cause artifact in the image.

Glassweb · 11-08-2009, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Joe

There is a February 23, 1923 that belongs to Herschel Sizemore. We did some work on it a couple years ago. He left it with me for several months and told me to take it and play it. He had not used it for quite awhile because of the repairs it needed and wanted it to be played so it would open back up after sitting. I did play it. Boy did I! I think that is the best I've played in my opinion. Another great one is the one that Danny Roberts has. It is a December 22, 1922 and it is a GREAT mandolin. It is probably my second favorite. Again, this is what I have liked and others may not think they are as great as do I, but to me those are the ones I dream about at night!

thanks Joe!

f5loar · 11-08-2009, 11:31 PM

Yeah that Herschel knows how to pick out a great sounding Loar but then again he didn't sound too shabby with is old 50's F12.
A wise investor would have bought the stock and the Loar.

Nolan · 11-09-2009, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Joe

Another great one is the one that Danny Roberts has. It is a December 22, 1922 and it is a GREAT mandolin. It is probably my second favorite. Again, this is what I have liked and others may not think they are as great as do I, but to me those are the ones I dream about at night!

Wow, that must be some mandolin. His old MM is probably the best mandolin I've ever played... including a few Loars.

Glassweb · 11-09-2009, 04:24 PM

will be seeing John Reischman and the Jaybirds here in Bellingham tonight... am looking forward to trying his legendary Loar... of course he'll get to test drive my Loar #79719 as well. more later...

woodwizard · 11-09-2009, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glassweb

will be seeing John Reischman and the Jaybirds here in Bellingham tonight... am looking forward to trying his legendary Loar... of course he'll get to test drive my Loar #79719 as well. more later...

You're a lucky dude! In more ways than one. Have fun and give us some feedback. Just looked a pics of your 79719 in the archive.VERY NICE!

Nolan · 11-10-2009, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glassweb

will be seeing John Reischman and the Jaybirds here in Bellingham tonight... am looking forward to trying his legendary Loar... of course he'll get to test drive my Loar #79719 as well. more later...

So... what was it like?!?!? Would you have traded him straight across for your Loar?

For some reason this made me think of that old Grey Poupon commercial but with Loars instead of mustard.

Glassweb · 11-10-2009, 10:29 PM

Had a grand time at the J.R. & the Jaybirds concert last night here in Bellingham... it was held in an old, historic mansion here in town and could not have been finer or more intimate. The crowd was great and the music was... dare I say... STELLAR! John's one of those those players who could pull great tone out of a doughnut. Effortless technique and endless ideas... here's a cat who does not show his hand all at once... a master of tasteful playing, it was only at the very end of the show that he showed his hand and gave us all a mere glimpse at just how broad his musical vocabulary really is. Truly one of the greats and yes, his band was superb as well... especially his banjo player.
OK... so this morning I met up with John at the house of Stan Miller... a mandolin builder here in Bellingham. I had my Fern, my Loar and a Kimble mandola I'm currently borrowing and John had his Loar, a Red Diamond J.R. model and a Smart mandola. We also had a couple of Stan Miller's F5s in the mix. All the mandolins were great and yes, John's is an exceptionally fine sounding Loar, but the mandolin I was most impressed with was one that Stan Miller had just finished. For a new F5 it MORE than held its own against any of the mandolins... Loars included. The Loars have that unmistakable sound, but as we're coming to realize in these golden days of lutherie there's more than just vanilla and chocolate in the ice cream freezer! The Kimble and Smart mandolas, the Loars, my 26' Fern... Stan Miller's mandolins... when you get to do a tasting like this you realize that when you get around high quality instruments like these it's not "which is the best"... it's more like "damn, I'll take 'em all!" John and I got to play a bit together and THAT was fun... like I said, he's a person that really is fluent in many styles of playing and yet is one of the sweetest, more modest cats you'd ever want to meet. And FUNNY! Last night at the concert he had us all in stitches... believe me, if he ever hangs up the mando he'll have a great career in standup comedy! If you've never seen The Jaybirds go check them in concert... you'll be in for a treat. And check out Stan Miller's website at www.stanmillermandolins.com And yes... I still love my Loar...

sgarrity · 11-11-2009, 07:37 AM

that's a heckuva mandolin tasting right there!!

Dfyngravity · 11-11-2009, 07:59 AM

Stan looks like he is building some great mandolins there. I would love to get my hands on one of those. Just another builder to add to the top of the list.

Links · 11-11-2009, 08:47 AM

I've met Big Joe one time and read hundreds of his posts - what a fine gentleman who makes you feel like you have been a freind forever!!! This thread has been very informative and been so totally positive - what the Mandolin Cafe should be about! It also confirms what I first thought when I picked up first DMM with absolutely no intention of buying it - that there was so much more there than just another mandolin. I wish I could explain it, but words cannot describe the way it felt and sounded. Now I know a little more why!

woodwizard · 11-11-2009, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgarrity

that's a heckuva mandolin tasting right there!!

Yes in deedy! I hope some day to get to see and hear John & the Jaybirds. I'm keeping my eyes open ...checking for anything within a couple 100 miles.
Great thread!

Nolan · 11-11-2009, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glassweb

I was most impressed with was one that Stan Miller had just finished. For a new F5 it MORE than held its own against any of the mandolins... Loars included.

Do you know if Stan Miller is still using mostly engelman?

Glassweb · 11-11-2009, 02:18 PM

I think Stan uses different woods... in fact he has an F5 "in the white" that he's made using Brazilian rosewood for the sides, back AND neck. Guess what? It sounds AMAZING! Certainly has got me thinking about the viability of high-quality rosewood for mandolins. Now if I can only convince him to start inlaying his name on his headstocks

! I'm workin' on it...

Links · 11-11-2009, 04:57 PM

His website (Stan MIller's) says he uses three different Spruces for the tops and Red and Sugar Maple for the back and sides. He also mentions the Rosewood that was probably used in the mandolin mentioned.

majorbanjo · 11-11-2009, 06:45 PM

Thanks for the link to the Stan Miller Mandolin site.....I spent a lot of time on Stan's website going through the steps on how he builds his mandolins.....very informative....I'll bet they are some great mandolins......

He tells the story in a great down to earth way.....like pushing paper towels into the body with chopsticks while he varnishes the top....then pulling them out with forceps when he's done........:-)....that's good stuff....

Also like his explanation of the different finishes he's used since 75', when he started builing mandoins, and why he now uses the finish he uses....very interesting....

Mike Bunting · 11-11-2009, 07:27 PM

Butch Waller had his Miller F with him at the mandocamp and Jody syecher had his Miller A there too. Both great sounding axes.

woodysny · 11-12-2009, 02:19 PM

Last time I saw Tom Rozum, he was playing a new Stan Miller - sounded mighty fine.
You know Gruhn's has had a new Stan Miller for sale for quite some time ($8500). Maybe he'll get some traction now! NFI

Mike Bunting · 11-12-2009, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Bunting

Butch Waller had his Miller F with him at the mandocamp and Jody syecher had his Miller A there too. Both great sounding axes.

I have a dyslexic keyboard! Of course I was trying to type Jody Stecher from the Perfect Strangers and recordings of wonderful music with his wife, Kate Brislin. Jody plays great Monroe style on a Miller A.

11-08-2009, 10:10 PM	#26
Big Joe Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Nashville Posts: 2,645	Re: Gibson Master Model There is a February 23, 1923 that belongs to Herschel Sizemore. We did some work on it a couple years ago. He left it with me for several months and told me to take it and play it. He had not used it for quite awhile because of the repairs it needed and wanted it to be played so it would open back up after sitting. I did play it. Boy did I! I think that is the best I've played in my opinion. Another great one is the one that Danny Roberts has. It is a December 22, 1922 and it is a GREAT mandolin. It is probably my second favorite. Again, this is what I have liked and others may not think they are as great as do I, but to me those are the ones I dream about at night! __________________ Have a Great Day! Joe Vest Big Joe's Guitarworks www.bigjoesguitarworks.com

11-08-2009, 10:48 PM	#27
Andrew DeMarco Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 344	Re: Gibson Master Model Anyone know what specific "inspection" method was used? I ask because I don't think it was MR because truss rod and frets would cause artifact in the image. __________________ Collings MT Weber Gallatin Mandocello Language is the armory of the human mind, and at once contains the trophies of its past and the weapons of its future conquests. -Samuel Taylor Coleridge

11-08-2009, 11:31 PM	#29
f5loar Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Salisbury,NC Posts: 2,889	Re: Gibson Master Model Yeah that Herschel knows how to pick out a great sounding Loar but then again he didn't sound too shabby with is old 50's F12. A wise investor would have bought the stock and the Loar.

11-09-2009, 04:24 PM	#31
Glassweb Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bellingham, WA Posts: 1,105	Re: Gibson Master Model will be seeing John Reischman and the Jaybirds here in Bellingham tonight... am looking forward to trying his legendary Loar... of course he'll get to test drive my Loar #79719 as well. more later...

11-10-2009, 10:29 PM	#34
Glassweb Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bellingham, WA Posts: 1,105	Re: Gibson Master Model Had a grand time at the J.R. & the Jaybirds concert last night here in Bellingham... it was held in an old, historic mansion here in town and could not have been finer or more intimate. The crowd was great and the music was... dare I say... STELLAR! John's one of those those players who could pull great tone out of a doughnut. Effortless technique and endless ideas... here's a cat who does not show his hand all at once... a master of tasteful playing, it was only at the very end of the show that he showed his hand and gave us all a mere glimpse at just how broad his musical vocabulary really is. Truly one of the greats and yes, his band was superb as well... especially his banjo player. OK... so this morning I met up with John at the house of Stan Miller... a mandolin builder here in Bellingham. I had my Fern, my Loar and a Kimble mandola I'm currently borrowing and John had his Loar, a Red Diamond J.R. model and a Smart mandola. We also had a couple of Stan Miller's F5s in the mix. All the mandolins were great and yes, John's is an exceptionally fine sounding Loar, but the mandolin I was most impressed with was one that Stan Miller had just finished. For a new F5 it MORE than held its own against any of the mandolins... Loars included. The Loars have that unmistakable sound, but as we're coming to realize in these golden days of lutherie there's more than just vanilla and chocolate in the ice cream freezer! The Kimble and Smart mandolas, the Loars, my 26' Fern... Stan Miller's mandolins... when you get to do a tasting like this you realize that when you get around high quality instruments like these it's not "which is the best"... it's more like "damn, I'll take 'em all!" John and I got to play a bit together and THAT was fun... like I said, he's a person that really is fluent in many styles of playing and yet is one of the sweetest, more modest cats you'd ever want to meet. And FUNNY! Last night at the concert he had us all in stitches... believe me, if he ever hangs up the mando he'll have a great career in standup comedy! If you've never seen The Jaybirds go check them in concert... you'll be in for a treat. And check out Stan Miller's website at www.stanmillermandolins.com And yes... I still love my Loar...

11-11-2009, 07:37 AM	#35
sgarrity MAS Afflicted Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 2,488	Re: Gibson Master Model that's a heckuva mandolin tasting right there!! __________________ Shaun Garrity http://www.youtube.com/user/spgokc78

11-11-2009, 07:59 AM	#36
Dfyngravity Ben Beran Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 1,079	Re: Gibson Master Model Stan looks like he is building some great mandolins there. I would love to get my hands on one of those. Just another builder to add to the top of the list. __________________ Give me my mandolin and a beer and I'll be content

11-11-2009, 08:47 AM	#37
Links Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 922	Re: Gibson Master Model I've met Big Joe one time and read hundreds of his posts - what a fine gentleman who makes you feel like you have been a freind forever!!! This thread has been very informative and been so totally positive - what the Mandolin Cafe should be about! It also confirms what I first thought when I picked up first DMM with absolutely no intention of buying it - that there was so much more there than just another mandolin. I wish I could explain it, but words cannot describe the way it felt and sounded. Now I know a little more why! __________________ Linksmaker

11-11-2009, 02:18 PM	#40
Glassweb Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bellingham, WA Posts: 1,105	Re: Gibson Master Model I think Stan uses different woods... in fact he has an F5 "in the white" that he's made using Brazilian rosewood for the sides, back AND neck. Guess what? It sounds AMAZING! Certainly has got me thinking about the viability of high-quality rosewood for mandolins. Now if I can only convince him to start inlaying his name on his headstocks ! I'm workin' on it...

11-11-2009, 04:57 PM	#41
Links Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 922	Re: Gibson Master Model His website (Stan MIller's) says he uses three different Spruces for the tops and Red and Sugar Maple for the back and sides. He also mentions the Rosewood that was probably used in the mandolin mentioned. __________________ Linksmaker

11-11-2009, 06:45 PM	#42
majorbanjo Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 43	Re: Gibson Master Model Thanks for the link to the Stan Miller Mandolin site.....I spent a lot of time on Stan's website going through the steps on how he builds his mandolins.....very informative....I'll bet they are some great mandolins...... He tells the story in a great down to earth way.....like pushing paper towels into the body with chopsticks while he varnishes the top....then pulling them out with forceps when he's done........:-)....that's good stuff.... Also like his explanation of the different finishes he's used since 75', when he started builing mandoins, and why he now uses the finish he uses....very interesting.... __________________ New F model Jam Master while waiting to play an Ellis A-5... Martin D28 Del McCoury Leo Posch D18 in cuban mahogany A few fiddles and a few banjos....

11-11-2009, 07:27 PM	#43
Mike Bunting Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Edmonton Posts: 2,076	Re: Gibson Master Model Butch Waller had his Miller F with him at the mandocamp and Jody syecher had his Miller A there too. Both great sounding axes. __________________ Mike, Edmonton, Ab. "Take me back to 1953." Monroe Appreciation Society Canadian Pickers Monroe Style Mandolin Camp

11-12-2009, 02:19 PM	#44
woodysny Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kennett Square, PA Posts: 123	Re: Gibson Master Model Last time I saw Tom Rozum, he was playing a new Stan Miller - sounded mighty fine. You know Gruhn's has had a new Stan Miller for sale for quite some time ($8500). Maybe he'll get some traction now! NFI __________________ 2001 Gibson Master Model F5 #V70311 1996 Heiden F-5 #F-023 2008 Red Diamond Vintage 22 Model F-5, serial #190