Mann F-7

[Steve Cantrell]

Thought I'd post a few pics of my new one.

[Steve Cantrell]

By the way, I'm much better at the mandolin than photography, and my camera is falling behind the times.

[Steve Cantrell]

Scroll...a little fuzzy.

[Steve Cantrell]

back

[Steve Cantrell]

Side

[Steve Cantrell]

These are the specs Jonathan sent me:
Neck- Curly maple/walnut/Curly maple 3 piece
No neck joint / neck thru construction
Back and sides- Quilted mahogany
Top- Old growth curly redwood 2 piece
Bracing- parallel spruce tone bars
Binding- tortoise
Fretboard- Ebony 12" radius "banjo" size frets
Ebony bridge
Grover 308N tuning machines
Curly walnut peghead overlay
Truss rod- traditional adjustable
Bone nut

I got one great deal on this mando, and couldn't be happier. It has an excellent, woody tone and a good bark. The workmanship is clean and precise, and I love the aesthetics of it. It also has great tone and sustain all the way up the neck for those with a soft touch. Jonathan Mann is making great mandolins.

[Baron Collins-Hill]

i love that top

baron

[Steve Cantrell]

Here's a better shot of the top...at least a little better.

[chuck.naill]

Very nice. Beautiful wood and workmanship. How does having the neck through the body effect the sound?

Very nice alternative scroll pattern

Chuck

[Steve Cantrell]

Chuck, As far as I can tell the sound hasn't been affected at all. The mandolin has a full, rich sound. My wife walked by me last night and said "That thing sounds good". This may not seem like such a big thing, but she's not what I'd call a mandolin enthusiast.

[acousticphd]

Hey Steve,
What's the number on yours? I picked up a Mann blacktop A7 last year, also with redwood top. They're probably brothers. Then again, they're all pretty much brothers as I don't think he has produced to many archtop instruments overall.

I think the sound of the Manndolins I've heard has more to do with his often using mahogany backs, except for the maple neck-through strip. I've heard two of his mahogany A7s, and they had a warmer tone than the average maple mando. Mine needs to be played more than I play it, but it has a nice woody tone, good chop, and great feel, at least to me - nice wide neck, radiused, and big frets.

[Steve Cantrell]

Jeff,
I've got 030406, and if I understand his serial number system correctly, that's two-digit month, two-digit year,and then the number built that year. I know the neck-through construction might result in a mild cerebal event for the purists, but I couldn't be happier with it. Even thought I have smaller hands, the larger neck is much more comfortable for me. I was a little worried about that at first. I think the sound on this mandolin is very complex, and that's after playing a ton of mandolins in preparation for a purchase. I was still looking and bought this one on an impulse. I spent a time wringing my hands before the UPS man got it here wondering why I had chosen to do such a thing, but imagine my surprise when it turned out to be such a quality instrument. The fit and finish is just excellent, and it plays like butter. I encourage everyone to take one of these on a test drive if they get the chance.

[Steve Cantrell]

One more thing--I'd love to hear from other Mann owners and get their perspective. Thanks.

[Dfyngravity]

Well I haven't played any of his acoustic mandolin, but I have owned 2 of his electric. The first one was his standard semi-hollow body electric. I then sold it to get the one I have now, it's a solid body mini PRS style electric. I couldn't be happier, Jon really knows how you build quality mandolins.

Here's a photo of my old one and a link to the pic of my new one:
Mann 5 String Mini PRS Electric (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=22;t=28480;hl=mann+5+string )

[acousticphd]

Here's my A7 (2005 I believe) #16:

[DryBones]

can someone explain to me the difference between an F5 and F7?

[Steve Cantrell]

Perspective?

[Steve Cantrell]

I like that blacktop Jeff, especially the pickguard. Mine didn't come with one, but I'm considering asking him to make one in a similar vein.

[Jim Rowland]

I am facinated by the non appearance of the pickguard on that blacktop. Mayhaps these old orbs are failing me.
Jim

[Dfyngravity]

F5 vs F7 = traditional scroll vs. hook scroll, oh and the headstock isn't traditional either on Jon's F7. Other than that it is a F-style mandolin.

[Steve Cantrell]

Jim,
It's there, just small. I think the orbs are failing you.

[DryBones]

F5 vs F7 = traditional scroll vs. hook scroll, oh and the headstock isn't traditional either on Jon's F7. Other than that it is a F-style mandolin.
ok, then what about the A7? or an A9?

[DryBones]

i love that top

baron
Baron,
Just visited your MySpace page...nice mandolin playing! I used to vacation up your way when I lived in Massachusetts. Spent many a spring week at Whisperwood Lodge before I moved to Virginia. You live in a great part of this country,enjoy it!

[Steve Cantrell]

Ok....that telecaster look for your e-mando is cool, Dfyngravity, and the one you've got on order is just awesome. I love the PRS look.

[acousticphd]

ok, then what about the A7? or an A9?

There are a few pictures of the several Mann models on his website, including some pictures of how the neck-through construction is done and put together. I believe the F5/A5 have traditional styling and dovetail joints; the F7/A7 have the neck-through design and some other non-traditional elements. The body dimensions of the A7 are a bit more compact than the A5s I have or have handled, and of course the neck heel is smaller and more ergometric.

[Dfyngravity]

A7 and A9 vs A5, well for Jon Mann's A7 he uses a thru neck design. As far at the A9 and F9 or what not from Gibson it is merely cosmetic...same mandolin as an F5 or A5.


Yeah my mini PRS is an awesome emando. Jon's work is amazing and he is a great guy to work with.