Gail Hester H-5 mandola in the classifieds

[Charles E.]

All I have to say is Wow!

http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/92501#92501

NFI

[allenhopkins]

OMG.

That's a beauty, and Gail H is a highly respected builder and restorer.

Temptation is a terrible thing...

[OldGus]

Temptation is a terrible thing...

You can be in my support group. Kimbles and Hesters and Buckeyes, oh my!

[DataNick]

OldGus,

How would you describe Buckeye mandolins?...Meaning do they tend more towards the Gibson (traditional) tone or a more "modern" tone like Collings, Ellis, etc? Lauren Price plays one that she's very happy with and I've yet to sample one...from what I've read/heard they get rave reviews!

[OldGus]

I haven't played one but they sound very traditional and according to Pete the closest to his would be a Sam Bush Gibson(not my opinion). They seem to have a lot of depth, bass and mids. I figure the newer ones have better highs not to say any are bad there but I'm basing that on what has been said about them and sound clips. That's also my experience with Gibsons except a few of the snakeheads I've played. I have not played a Loar F5 but I know some have great highs. He tends to use the European Spruce tops but uses some Red Spruce as well. I have talked to him about visiting and trying one out, I probably should. They seem really toneful and powerful, fully hand made and just a touch rough around the edges. I think he has improved and is still improving as a builder and he hasn't hugely jacked up his prices. Probably one of the best deals on a new high-ender as far as I can tell. I talked to him about an alternative wood build and he did not like my Sitka/Walnut request, he doesn't like Sitka(But his sounds like a Sam Bush, go figure), we did talk about a possible Ash build. I think Ash/Red Spruce would have a lot of power and mids. They have been compared with Huttos. Here are a few videos off of YouTube of Buckeyes being played...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdQy5p6UhyI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75z-E0yZ3Fs. Here is the one that just sold in the classified
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqFG51wl4go.

[Charles E.]

Looks like she has an F-5 for sale as well.......

http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/92499#92499

NFI


MJoQ3gFdvLs

[BrianWilliam]

Saw that one and had to look away :)

Gorgeous!

[lenf12]

Hope you checked out the YouTube video she had in her ad of Andy Statman playing this F-5 mandolin. He sure can play and that mandolin sounds great!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJoQ3gFdvLs

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[Charles E.]

Imbedded in post #6, above.

[Bill Snyder]

Does it come with the ability to play it like Mr. Statman? If so it is more than a bargain. :)

[BrianWilliam]

Hope you checked out the YouTube video she had in her ad of Andy Statman playing this F-5 mandolin. He sure can play and that mandolin sounds great!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJoQ3gFdvLs

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

Wooo dang! He rips!

[lenf12]

I may have to update some program or other on my computer. All I see is a blank square in post #6. Some videos show up fine in some posts and others are just the blank square. Geek squad, where are you when I need you?

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[sturob]

I bought it! I knew I'd seen a thread about it on here somewhere, and I thought I'd give an update.

It came yesterday (NMD!); or, actually, it came Christmas Eve, but I was off doing family stuff and of course missed the attempted delivery. I wasn't too upset, though, because I was expecting it next week. USPS decided to use their instant-transport technology to get it here, I suppose.

I'll take a couple of pics of it later on, but please allow me to make a couple comments: ooooh. First off, it's a one-piece back AND a one-piece top. The top is incredibly-even-grained Sitka, the back is one piece of . . . well, bubbly-figured maple, though I know "bubble maple" implies a particular figure and I don't know if this is that. The other timber on the mandola is Macassar ebony: headstock veneer, fingerboard, bridge, and pick guard. If you recall the pics from the classifieds, the mandola didn't have a pick guard, but Gail mentioned that she'd made one and graciously offered to install it before shipping.

The sound: also, oooooh. Very easy transition from mandolin, in my hands. It has a 15 5/8" scale. Powerful, and rich. Very balanced, with clear highs and a full bottom end. Just incredible!

Anyway, dealing with Gail was a very pleasant experience, and the instrument was an incredible deal!

Stuart

[Larry S Sherman]

Congrats Stuart!

[pheffernan]

Welcome to the Hester fan club! Please consider joining our social group: http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/group.php?groupid=304

[Charles E.]

Glad it found a new home, enjoy!

[sturob]

It's quilted maple. What's wrong with me? It's QUILTED. Not bubble.

I had a Momentary Lapse in Maple Terminology.

:grin:

Stuart