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Mace
Jan-28-2004, 6:26am
Just this week I took delivery on a new F5 mandolin from Elderly. #Gary Tope is the builder. I am really impressed. I have owned several mandolins over the years including A model Givens, Tucker and Gibsons. #Also a couple of Flatirons, an A and an F. #This mandolin builder needs to be noted as a new talent. #Elderly has not exagerrated in their description and pricing will be certain to increase. #Pictures are available on the Elderly site. #If anyone could provide biographical info on the builder, it would be greatly appreciated.

mandoryan
Jan-30-2004, 1:56am
He is a member here on the board and chimes in quite a bit on the builder forum. You might put a message over there and see what he says. I aggree with you though, they are some nice looking mandos and with varnish and hide glue, the best bargain out there for an F style. How does she sound? I'm sure that's a redundant question, but I love the descriptions people give. It makes for good prose http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Mace
Jan-30-2004, 4:22pm
The fit and finish are on a par with the best I've seen. The tone is what really astounds me. Not a week out of its shipping carton and it not only has the brillant loudness of my Givens but has a depth and resonance which defies my best description. If what all these posts claim is true about new mandolins opening up, I sure have quite a mandolin in Tope F5 #2.

GBG
Jan-30-2004, 5:29pm
I don't get usually get excited from mandolin pictures and descriptions, but this one is definately an exception at $3,000.00. This looks like something you will really regret NOT buying 5 years from now.

tope
Jan-30-2004, 9:47pm
Mace, I'm truly very pleased that you are happy with the mandolin, and your praise is appriciated. I have made a number of acoustic guitars over the years. After falling in love with the mando a couple years ago I quit my job and started making some Fs. I'm curious what you think of the color scheme, I had been thinking of a more traditional sunburst but I do like what I did on that one. Working on #4 now.
Elderly's http://www.elderly.com/new_ins....t,title (http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/cat_or_pgc_page?page=6&query_start=101&step=20&cat_or_pgc=90N&special_links=&sort_on=cat_or_pgc,artist,title)

Mace
Jan-31-2004, 12:34am
The traditional dark sunburst would be my choice were I selecting, all other factors being equal. That said I am very happy with your wonderful mandolin. The cafe is great. I hope my two cents is alerting all.