The Black returneth once more as an A2

[Nick Gellie]

Here are some pics of my Black mandolin A2 (#12) which I recently purchased. I am very happy with it. It has a 11/8" nut and since I adjusted the truss rod tension, it has become even more playable.

You will some pictures of it in earlier threads but here it is again:

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Here is a sound file:

https://soundcloud.com/tags/chinquipin%20hunting

[GKWilson]

Hi Nic,
It's always good to see #12.
Your Soundcloud tag doesn't work for me though.
So, I can't hear her.
It still works on the Mike Black Mandolin Social Group page,
but the tag is a little different.
Gary

[Nick Gellie]

Hi Nic,
It's always good to see #12.
Your Soundcloud tag doesn't work for me though.
So, I can't hear her.
It still works on the Mike Black Mandolin Social Group page,
but the tag is a little different.
Gary

Try this one Gary:

https://soundcloud.com/nic-gellie/record-0106

[F-2 Dave]

That's a gorgeous mandolin.

[Bertram Henze]

But it isn't exactly black, is it? :whistling:

[Nick Gellie]

But it isn't exactly black, is it? :whistling:

That is right. Bertram, I used the definitive article to distinguish it from a 'Black' mandolin. For me it is a great "the Black" mandolin. And apologies to Mike for writing that even though if you scrutinise the photo the headstock says Black and yes the colour there is black even though the rest of the mandolin is a dark brown with golden sunburst. And thanks also to F2Dave for his compliments.

[pheffernan]

But it isn't exactly black, is it? :whistling:

Exactly! :))

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[Tim Griffin]

Tell about your truss rod adjustment.

[Nick Gellie]

Tim it has a 2-way truss rod. The truss rod had been set so that there was two much bow in the neck. I turned it in the other direction to straighten the neck. Voila! action lowered with better playability. Quite a marked difference.

[Nick Gellie]

Exactly! :))

146763

Well Pat you have the definitive black Mike Black with a Virzi. I have a dark brown sunburst Mike Black without one.

[jclover]

Wait just a minute! Pat has an awesome A2Z, but this A4 will always be "The Black". :cool:146770

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[Teak]

Well Pat you have the definitive black Mike Black with a Virzi. I have a dark brown sunburst Mike Black without one.

Right, Nick, and I have a blonde Black. :))

[Nick Gellie]

Well Teak, show us yours so we can can see all the Black mandolins whatever shade or colour.

[pheffernan]

Wait just a minute! Pat has an awesome A2Z, but this A4 will always be "The Black". :cool:

34 > 14, Jim. :grin:

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[pheffernan]

Right, Nick, and I have a blonde Black. :))

A blonde Black is also a lovely thing. :cool:

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[Teak]

146794

Another blonde Black, #35.

[GKWilson]

You guys [Pat and Nic] are killing me here.
This one isn't a new color. But, it has F holes.
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[Nick Gellie]

You guys [Pat and Nic] are killing me here.
This one isn't a new color. But, it has F holes.
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I am sure it is a fine mandolin Gary. I can't say how much I appreciate you selling me the Black A2. Its F-hole sister must be comparable in her own indomitable style.

I am sure Pat appreciates his blonde Black GBOM too.

Thanks again.

[pheffernan]

I am sure Pat appreciates his blonde Black GBOM too.

I appreciate the fact that Gary somehow never managed to acquire one of Mike's piccolo mandolins! :))

[Eddie Sheehy]

I have a Black A4,with Virzi, on the way from Canada... Traditional sunburst...

[pheffernan]

I have a Black A4,with Virzi, on the way from Canada... Traditional sunburst...

That A4 is a beauty, Eddie. I'm assuming it's the one that was listed in the classifieds recently for a very reasonable price. Do you happen to know whether it's Mike's #7 mandolin from the infamous Virzi / no Virzi comparison with his #8 A2-z?

_6KwwE5LpvM

[Mike Snyder]

146863#27, A4, no Virzi

[Nick Gellie]

146863#27, A4, no Virzi

Great Mike. Thanks for posting a photo of yours. Mike does a great traditional sunburst.

[Eddie Sheehy]

Yes, I believe it's #7.

[pheffernan]

Yes, I believe it's #7.

I hold that video clip, particularly the part in which Mike is chording and the tone seems almost in technicolor, singularly responsible for my decision to order a Black A2-z with a Virzi last year.

[Nick Gellie]

Well so far the roll call for Mike Black mandolins come to:
#? Black GBOM
#7 Black oval hole Mandolin with Virzi
#11 Black A-5 mandolin
#12 Black mandolin with no Virzi
#14 Black oval hole mandolin with Virzi and sound port
#27 Black mandolin with no Virzi
#34 Black oval hole mandolin with Virzi
#35 Black oval hole mandolin with Virzi

Any else out there like to add to our collection so far?

[Teak]

I hold that video clip, particularly the part in which Mike is chording and the tone seems almost in technicolor, singularly responsible for my decision to order a Black A2-z with a Virzi last year.

Same here. That video clip sold me on the Virzi. Now that I have been playing my blonde A2z with Virzi daily since November, I have grown accustomed to have the fuller sonic-scape. My Givens A5 sans Virzi still sounds great, but it is 37 years old and should sound outstanding. Once the Black gets to be 37 years old, I won't be around to enjoy it but my grandchildren will.

[pheffernan]

#? Black GBOM

Fun project, Nic. The GBOM in my signature is #6! :mandosmiley:

We also saw the Black #8 A2-z without Virzi in the video clip that I posted. That one seems well traveled, passing through the hands of Jill McAuley, Clement Barrera-Ng, and even (briefly) fatt-dad!

[Doug Freeman]

I bought the Black #8 A2z two years ago this week. Pretty sure this will be its final resting place, at least in my lifetime. It is a wonderful instrument. The owner before me noticed the top sinking, sent it to Mr. Black for evaluation, and he re-topped it on a warranty basis--even though it had been through a number of owners by that time. That's just the kind of guy Mike is!

Eddie, we should get #7 and #8 together for a reunion!

146933

[Nick Gellie]

Thanks Doug for chiming in and telling us about the history of #8. Sorry I overlooked you since we have had some correspondence about Black oval hole mandolins.

[Nick Gellie]

an updated roll call for Mike Black mandolins come to:
#6 Black GBOM
#7 Black A4 oval hole Mandolin with Virzi
#8 Black A2z oval hole mandolin
#11 Black A-5 mandolin
#12 Black A2 oval hole mandolin with no Virzi
#14 Black A4 oval hole mandolin with Virzi and sound port
#27 Black A4 oval mandolin with no Virzi
#34 Black A2z oval hole mandolin with Virzi
#35 Black A2z oval hole mandolin with Virzi

[GKWilson]

No other A5's?
Mine barks and growls like a rabid dog.
Gary

[pheffernan]

A perusal of the archives reveals:
Black
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5 Brownburst A5 Brent Hutto
#6 GBOM Me
#7 Sunburst A4 with Virzi Eddie Sheehy
#8 Blonde A2-z Jill, Clement, fatt-dad, Doug Freeman
#9 Brownburst A5 Bill Duvall
#10 Blackface A2-z
#11 Brownburst A5 Gary Wilson
#12 Brownburst A2 Nic Gellie
#13
#14 The Black A4 Jim Clover
#15
#16 Sunburst A4 Piccolo with Virzi Molly Black
#17 Brownburst A4 with Virzi
#18
#19
#20 Sunburst A5 Piccolo
#21 A2-z with Virzi?
#22
#23
#24 Brownburst A4 with Virzi
#25 A2-z with Virzi Randy Smith
#26 Brown A1 Dave Weiss?
#27 Sunburst A4 Mike Snyder
#28
#29
#30
#31 Blonde A4
#32 Brownburst A2 with Virzi
#33 Brownburst GBOM
#34 Blackface A2-z with Virzi Me
#35 A2-z with Virzi Teak

[GKWilson]

Brent's #5 A5 is what got me started.
It's one beautiful Hoss.

[GKWilson]

Brent's A5
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[Clement Barrera-Ng]

Now I really miss #8 - it was a fine fine mandolin.

[Mike Black]

I'll help fill in the Early ones. :)

#1 - Sunburst GBOM - (MB logo)
#2 - Sunburst A4 with Virzi
#3 - Natural top GBOM with Carp inlay for Dave Firestine
#4 - 2-point Piccolo for son James Black (JAMES inlayed in the fingerboard)

Also #13 is a Lucalele (Uke) made for my nephew Luca

[Clement Barrera-Ng]

Hi Mike
I believe #5 was an A5, wasn't it? I remember one of the cafe member ordered it from you and it was a very good sounding one.

[Eddie Sheehy]

I bought the Black #8 A2z two years ago this week. Pretty sure this will be its final resting place, at least in my lifetime. It is a wonderful instrument. The owner before me noticed the top sinking, sent it to Mr. Black for evaluation, and he re-topped it on a warranty basis--even though it had been through a number of owners by that time. That's just the kind of guy Mike is!

Eddie, we should get #7 and #8 together for a reunion!

146933

Sure, Doug. Right now #7 is enjoying a reunion with a Gibson A2-Z. I'll prolly only hang on to one of them though...

[Clement Barrera-Ng]

Hi Mike
I believe #5 was an A5, wasn't it? I remember one of the cafe member ordered it from you and it was a very good sounding one.

Well it must be one of those days as I had no idea how I missed all of the posts beforehand. Good work Nick and Pat on compiling a list of known Black mandolins and their owners. And better still to see #8 back in Southern California. Glad you like it Doug!

[Nick Gellie]

Well I am glad we have managed to locate most of the owners. I am really proud to be an owner of a Black oval-hole mandolin.

Thanks Mike for filling in the gaps.

Here is the more complete list with Mike's notes added:

#1 - Sunburst GBOM - (MB logo)
#2 - Sunburst A4 with Virzi
#3 - Natural top GBOM with Carp inlay for Dave Firestine
#4 - 2-point Piccolo for son James Black (JAMES inlayed in the fingerboard)
#5 - Brownburst A5 Brent Hutto
#6 - GBOM Pat Heffernan
#7 - Sunburst A4 with Virzi Eddie Sheehy
#8 - Blonde A2-z Jill, Clement, fatt-dad, Doug Freeman
#9 - Brownburst A5 Bill Duvall
#10 - Blackface A2-z
#11 - Brownburst A5 Gary Wilson
#12 - Brownburst A2 Nic Gellie
#13 -
#14 - The Black A4 Jim Clover
#15
#16 - Sunburst A4 Piccolo with Virzi Molly Black
#17 - Reddish brown burst A4 with Virzi
#18 -
#19 -
#20 - Sunburst A5 Piccolo
#21 - A2-Z with Virzi
#22 -
#23 -
#24 - Brownburst A4 with Virzi
#25 - A2-z with Virzi Randy Smith
#26 - Brown A1 Dave Weiss?
#27 - Sunburst A4 Mike Snyder
#28 -
#29 -
#30 -
#31 - Blonde A4
#32 - Brownburst A2 with Virzi
#33 - Brownburst GBOM
#34 - Blackface A2-z with Virzi Me
#35 - A2-z with Virzi Teak

[mandrian]

Hi,

Two of Mike's mandolins living happily in Scotland. A4 with virzi no.17 came to Scotland from Kansas via Australia and Italy. A5 no.28 came straight from Mike .

147031

Regards

[pheffernan]

#20 - Sunburst A5 Piccolo
#21 - A2-Z with Virzi

I listed #21 with a question mark as there is some confusion about #20. On one hand, Mike's Facebook page seems to suggest that #20 is an A5 piccolo:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.619090114802136.1073741827.102058406505312&type=3

On the other hand, there is an A2-z formerly of Mike Romkey and Nic Gellie that has also been identified as #20:

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/group.php?discussionid=5103&do=discuss

Could there be more than one #20 or was one of these instruments misidentified?

[pheffernan]

#1 - Sunburst GBOM - (MB logo)
#2 - Sunburst A4 with Virzi
#3 - Natural top GBOM with Carp inlay for Dave Firestine
#4 - 2-point Piccolo for son James Black (JAMES inlayed in the fingerboard)
#5 - Brownburst A5 Brent Hutto
#6 - GBOM Pat Heffernan
#7 - Sunburst A4 with Virzi Eddie Sheehy
#8 - Blonde A2-z Jill, Clement, fatt-dad, Gary Bauer, Doug Freeman
#9 - Brownburst A5 Bill Duvall
#10 - Blackface A2-z
#11 - Brownburst A5 Gary Wilson
#12 - Brownburst A2 Nic Gellie
#13 -
#14 - The Black A4 Jim Clover
#15
#16 - Sunburst A4 Piccolo with Virzi Molly Black
#17 - Reddish brown burst A4 with Virzi Nic Gellie, mandrian
#18 -
#19 -
#20 - Sunburst A5 Piccolo or A2-z with Virzi
#21 -
#22 -
#23 -
#24 - Brownburst A4 with Virzi
#25 - A2-z with Virzi Randy Smith
#26 - Brown A1 Dave Weiss?
#27 - Sunburst A4 Mike Snyder
#28 - Sunburst A5 mandrian
#29 -
#30 -
#31 - Blonde A4
#32 - Brownburst A2 with Virzi
#33 - Brownburst GBOM
#34 - Blackface A2-z with Virzi Pat Heffernan
#35 - A2-z with Virzi Teak

[Nick Gellie]

I am pretty sure the A2z had #20 on the lable on the inside. Here is an image showing the lable.

147044

[Mike Black]

The Piccolo is #19 and was listed wrong on the facebook page.

[Mike Black]

FYI...21 and 32 are listed wrong above. 21 is a sunburst A2 and 32 is a special short scale A4 w/ virzi and side port.

[Matt Harris]

I'm guessing my GBOM will be late 30's to early 40's! :)

[pheffernan]

FYI...21 and 32 are listed wrong above. 21 is a sunburst A2 and 32 is a special short scale A4 w/ virzi and side port.

Thanks for correcting my guesses, Mike. I questioned whether the #20 A2-z might be #21, due to the confusion with the piccolo, and speculated that the brown A2 which sold through Mass Street might be #32.

I also noticed that your A2-z design looks to have added a fret somewhere between #8, seen in post #29, and #20, as shown in post #45. I'd be curious to learn what precipitated this change.

[pheffernan]

#1 - Sunburst GBOM - (MB logo)
#2 - Sunburst A4 with Virzi
#3 - Natural top GBOM with Carp inlay for Dave Firestine
#4 - 2-point Piccolo for son James Black (JAMES inlayed in the fingerboard)
#5 - Brownburst A5 Brent Hutto
#6 - GBOM Pat Heffernan
#7 - Sunburst A4 with Virzi Eddie Sheehy
#8 - Blonde A2-z Jill, Clement, fatt-dad, Gary Bauer, Doug Freeman
#9 - Brownburst A5 Bill Duvall
#10 - Blackface A2-z
#11 - Brownburst A5 Gary Wilson
#12 - Brownburst A2 Nic Gellie
#13 -
#14 - The Black A4 Jim Clover
#15
#16 - Sunburst A4 Piccolo with Virzi Molly Black
#17 - Reddish brown burst A4 with Virzi Nic Gellie, mandrian
#18 -
#19 - Sunburst A5 Piccolo
#20 - A2-z with Virzi
#21 - Sunburst A2
#22 -
#23 -
#24 - Brownburst A4 with Virzi
#25 - A2-z with Virzi Randy Smith
#26 - Brown A1 Dave Weiss?
#27 - Sunburst A4 Mike Snyder
#28 - Sunburst A5 mandrian
#29 -
#30 -
#31 - Blonde A4
#32 - Short scale A4 with Virzi
#33 - Brownburst GBOM
#34 - Blackface A2-z with Virzi Pat Heffernan
#35 - A2-z with Virzi Teak

[GKWilson]

I'm surprised Mike has made so few A-5's.
Grassers are missing out.
Gary

[Nick Gellie]

There is is the Hawthorn brand sold in Kansas at Franzke and Brafford music shop which are made by Mike if I am correct.

[GreenMTBoy]

Hello, My name is Tom Cotter I'm from Vermont ,I just acquired a Beautiful Blonde A2-Z #20 from Fiddlers Green,No Virzi as far as I can tell ?
serial# is 201307-20
so this was made July 2013 Yes?
The hang tab on my case says Consignment Crow ,did a Mr or Miss Crow own this before?

[Chris "Bucket" Thomas]

I just bought #54. A-4. December of 2019182148182149182150

[pheffernan]

Just bumping due to the mystery of #18 being solved by Greg Boyd’s

#1 - Sunburst GBOM - (MB logo)
#2 - Sunburst A4 with Virzi
#3 - Natural top GBOM with Carp inlay for Dave Firestine
#4 - 2-point Piccolo for son James Black (JAMES inlayed in the fingerboard)
#5 - Brownburst A5 Brent Hutto
#6 - GBOM Pat Heffernan
#7 - Sunburst A4 with Virzi Eddie Sheehy
#8 - Blonde A2-z Jill, Clement, fatt-dad, Gary Bauer, Doug Freeman
#9 - Brownburst A5 Bill Duvall
#10 - Blackface A2-z
#11 - Brownburst A5 Gary Wilson
#12 - Brownburst A2 Nic Gellie
#13 -
#14 - The Black A4 Jim Clover
#15
#16 - Sunburst A4 Piccolo with Virzi Molly Black
#17 - Reddish brown burst A4 with Virzi Nic Gellie, mandrian
#18 - Sunburst A4
#19 - Sunburst A5 Piccolo
#20 - A2-z with Virzi
#21 - Sunburst A2
#22 -
#23 -
#24 - Brownburst A4 with Virzi
#25 - A2-z with Virzi Randy Smith
#26 - Brown A1 Dave Weiss?
#27 - Sunburst A4 Mike Snyder
#28 - Sunburst A5 mandrian
#29 -
#30 -
#31 - Blonde A4
#32 - Short scale A4 with Virzi
#33 - Brownburst GBOM
#34 - Blackface A2-z with Virzi Pat Heffernan
#35 - A2-z with Virzi Teak

[Tiderider]

February 2022 A2Z (no virzi) Engleman, Curly Maple #61

[pheffernan]

February 2022 A2Z (no virzi) Engleman, Curly Maple #61

Two questions:

1) Is the date supposed to read “2023?”

2) Is that the extra A2-z that Mike listed earlier this month?

Consider joining us in the social group!

https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/group.php?groupid=301

[Tiderider]

Yes, sorry 2023, it is the most current one Mike listed.