Bill Davis Flat-tops?

[DMC]

Who owns or has played on of these? Bill Davis has such a great reputation and the sub grand asking price. Wow. I'll soon be looking for an oval-hole, flat-top mando for playing traditional Irish music. (I've another axe for other playing bg etc.) Does this mando have the right sort of volume and tone for playing in (small) sessions?

(let's face it - in big Irish trad sessions no mandolin will be heard!)

[Eric F.]

In a word, yes.

[pickinNgrinnin]

I've played a number of these Bill Davis flat tops and each one had tone & volume in spades. Surprisingly loud for a flat top. Easy to play neck. Bill's workmanship is top shelf all the way. Actually, I believe his work to be on par with some of the best builders out there today. Cafe owner Scott T, made a comment awhile back on the Davis flat top being the best mando out there for under $1,000. Scott has obviously played a lot of nice mandos and I believe is well qualified to make such a statement. Perhaps he will weigh in here.

*Disclaimer* I own a Bill Davis F5 and I'm a fan of his instruments and his craftsmanship. Nice guy too http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Eric F.]

I've had No. 22 for a few weeks. I bought it used from a Cafe member. I frequently forget I am playing a flat top. It has some of that distinctive flat-top boominess, but more of the sound of a carved top oval hole. I've owned three other flat-top mandos, and I liked each of them. This Davis is in another league, though.

[Scott Tichenor]

Big dollar sound, little dollar price tag.

Most instruments in this style leave me fairly underwhelmed so I was really surprised when I picked up the first one about a year ago. Like it well enough that I custom ordered mine with a radiused fingerboard and red spruce top. It's a beauty and is pictured somewhere on the "Post a Picture" thread.

Two thumbs up... even in Kansas! (private joke)

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Be glad to walk down to Mass St. Music and try one out for anyone interested. I do this all the time and it's a pleasant walk--only about a half mile.

[Jonathan James]

Glad you like that Davis, Eric. It is indeed a GREAT mando for the money with fantastic finish work, big sound and portable size. What more could you ask for?

[Eric F.]

Jonathan, I couldn't ask for anything more! I definitely bonded with it over the last two weeks - I took it on my honeymoon. DMC, I think you'd be very happy with a Davis.

[Scott Tichenor]

Looking for pictures of mine I also found this thread (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST&f=15&t=27136) which may interest some of you.

Pix of mine (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST&f=15&t=22637)

These are available (to my knowledge) only at Mass Street Music (http://www.massstreetmusic.com/mandos.php).

[Onesound]

Please post a link to Bill Davis' web site (if he has one)

Thanks!

[Jonathan James]

you can find it in the BUILDERS database here on the Cafe:

Davis Web Site (http://www.bwdavismandolins.com/home.html)

JJ http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif