View Full Version : BRW #52
Here are a couple of pics of my newest mandolin, BRW #52, a "J16," which is Ben Wilcox's own design. #It was made in his shop in OH and was delivered to me in September. It has a deep woody voice which is wonderfully balanced across the fretboard and up the neck. It makes me sound like a decent player, and that's saying a lot for any instrument.
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Mark Walker
Dec-26-2005, 1:37pm
Joe - VERY nice. Love that grain on the back. Interesting design with the truncated scroll! How does it sound? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Joe - VERY nice. #Love that grain on the back. #Interesting design with the truncated scroll! #How does it sound? # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
I am always at a loss to describe the sound of an instrument, but I will try:
I specifically chose this mandolin because I was looking for something that could shine whether I play Old Time, fiddle tunes, contemporary music, or bluegrass. I read here on the cafe that Ben's instruments had balance, volume, and incredible tone. I have to agree. I'm sure his F5 has a little more punch on the chop than this one, but the voice cuts through clearly in a jam with a beautiful rich tone. I chose a simple rich brown finish for this instrument (which Ben executed perfectly), and I would say that it plays like it looks: deep, rich, and clean.
This is my keeper, and I have been cleaning house. Lost (well, sold) a nice mando or two to keep this one, but I am happy.
Mark Walker
Dec-26-2005, 1:51pm
I am always at a loss to describe the sound of an instrument, but I will try:
I specifically chose this mandolin because I was looking for something that could shine whether I play Old Time, fiddle tunes, contemporary music, or bluegrass. #I read here on the cafe that Ben's instruments had balance, volume, and incredible tone. #I have to agree. #I'm sure his F5 has a little more punch on the chop than this one, but the voice cuts through clearly in a jam with a beautiful rich tone. #I chose a simple rich brown finish for this instrument (which Ben executed perfectly), and I would say that it plays like it looks: deep, rich, and clean.
This is my keeper, and I have been cleaning house. #Lost (well, sold) a nice mando or two to keep this one, but I am happy.
Joe - I can relate. #I've only had three mandolins, but have played a goodly number; almost bought an early 1900's Gibson A style and loved the 'mellow tone' but it had no volume or punch for jams. #After 'test driving' a Silver Angel made by Ken Ratcliff he sold to a guy about 45 minutes from my house, I was hooked on that sound. #It's a lot like what you described yours: 'versatile' in several kinds of musical genres - loud, mellow, bright, but not 'tinny.' #
My latest Silver Angel is very much like my first one, but has a bit more 'woody' tone to it - maybe because of the 100-year old red spruce he used in the top. #
Regardless, I very much admire the looks of yours and that color and flame is great! #Keep on a-pickin'! # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
Mark Walker
Dec-26-2005, 1:56pm
Joe - is that some sort of transparent applique' around the soundhole - like as a pick-guard of sorts? Neat cutouts too! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Bill Van Liere
Dec-26-2005, 1:57pm
Closet-"he sold it to a guy about 45 minutes from my house".
Would that be Dave Williams?
Sorry to hijack this thread
Love # 52 Joe. I got a good idea how it sounds.
Joe - is that some sort of transparent applique' around the soundhole - like as a pick-guard of sorts? #Neat cutouts too! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Nothing odd about the top. That's just a reflection that you see.
The holes are Ben's own creation, in the vein of Monteleone's Radio Flyer, it seems. He has adapted them a little since his original J16 and says these new ones (with the little F-hole type scroll on the bottom of the cutout) sound better than the old ones. I don't know if this is the first J16 with these holes or not.
mandopete
Dec-26-2005, 2:02pm
Very unique design to say the least! #How are you attaching a strap to it?
Very unique design to say the least! #How are you attaching a strap to it?
I am attaching to the headstock, like I used to with my Old Wave A. I don't like buttons, personally.
Mark Walker
Dec-26-2005, 2:12pm
Would that be Dave Williams?
Sorry to hijack this thread
Love # 52 Joe. I got a good idea how it sounds.
Mando-Lynn: Nope - a guy in Paw Paw. Dave is my cousin and lives about 5 miles down the road from me; I had Ken craft Dave's two-pointer (number 197) in memory of his late wife. I PM'd you the eerie story about it...
Mark Walker
Dec-26-2005, 2:14pm
Joe - interesting how the reflection around your cutout is so 'perfect!' It really looked like some sort of transparent pick-guard of some sort. Thanks for the history on those too - unique and different! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
ethanopia
Dec-26-2005, 5:55pm
Wow I like the new F Hole Design, although I liked the old ones too. I still haven't heard for sure if the whole Monteleone trip was truth or fiction. In another thread someone mentioned that Ben had visited with Monte.
Anyone know if this is true or not?
Anyway very nice instrument, I'm sure it sounds as good as it looks, I like it when people think out side the box (or scroll in this case)
And the back has an insane tigh curl to it. For some reason I am drawn to an instrument with nice tight uniform curl in the back, I'm not crazy about those crazy quilty patterns. Tight and straight is just fine by me.
Tom C
Dec-27-2005, 10:33am
Beautiful. I like the headstock shape.