New red diamond

[fredfrank]

I won't actually see my new mando until tomorrow, but I have a wonderful set of pictures provided by Don MacRostie, a fine gentleman and outstanding luthier to deal with.

http://xs314.xs.to/xs314/07174/vintage_3lg.jpg (http://xs.to)

http://xs314.xs.to/xs314/07174/vintage_2sm.jpg (http://xs.to)

[fredfrank]

More . . .

http://xs314.xs.to/xs314/07174/vintage_6sm.jpg (http://xs.to)

http://xs314.xs.to/xs314/07174/vintage_8lg.jpg (http://xs.to)

[fredfrank]

Last one--

http://xs314.xs.to/xs314/07174/vintage_4lg.jpg (http://xs.to)

[Chris Biorkman]

Nice. Are you keeping all your other gear? If so, then I think I'm starting to hate you. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[fredfrank]

I had to sell two of my other mandos to get this.

[Chris Biorkman]

That makes me feel a little better. If you were able to keep them all, I might turn an even darker shade of green.

Red Diamonds look really nice, but I've never played one. How do they sound?

Love the side-binding. Looks great.

[fredfrank]

I have no idea. I'll let you know Friday night after I've had a chance to play it.

According to Don MacRostie, the Vintage series is supposed to be a bit more crystaline, not as woody as the modern sounding mandos. It describes it in more detail on his website: www.reddiamondmandolins.com

[JAK]

They sound great; at least the two that I've played. It looks like "diamonds" can be a man's best friend too....

[Eric F.]

Wow! That looks fabulous. Enjoy it. I've heard so many good things about Red Diamond mandolins.

[Jeff A]

Great looking. Tell us about the tailpiece. A side opening James?

[fredfrank]

Jeff A, I don't know, but I think this is something Don came up with. It's hinged.

Okay, one more:

http://img6.picsplace.to/img6/23/vintage_10lg.jpg

[Don Grieser]

Fred, congratulations! That's a spectacular looking mandolin. You're going to love it. I've gone through a few mandolins, and the only one I'd really like to have back is a Red Diamond F-5. His craftsmanship, the wood, and the tone are all top notch. You don't see RD's up for sale in the classifieds very often either. I think that speaks volumes for the quality of Don's work.

[jaco]

Congrats Fred, I played Josh Pinkham's at Magfest briefly. You bought a great mandolin. Mike

[Rick Schmidlin]

I played a F model Varnish at Merlefest and was very impressed.I also sat with Don and his wife and son during evening shows,great folk! I was talking to Ronnie McCoury the other night in Vancouver and he said he was very impressed with Red Diamonds and loved the one he played at IBAM.

[mikeo2]

Wow... that is so sharp looking... congrats!

[fredfrank]

Thank you all for the encouraging and kind remarks. I'm sure the time clock at work tomorrow will be doing some serious dragging.

[Scott Schmidt]

Wow! That is one sharp looking instrument! I love Don's rendition of the flowerpot on that one too. Congrats!

[Mandomax]

Looks great, Fred. I played Lou Reid's old Red Diamond Vintage, and it was the tone zone. If you had kept all your gear, I was going to ask if you'd adopt me!

[Mark Walker]

Classy piece of work there! Didn't someone in the Johnny Staats & the Delivery Boys (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=12;t=39790) thread mention he's playing a Red Diamond in one of those videos? Sure sounds great to me!
Enjoy! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[tin ben dur]

I am in awl. That thing looks sweet. I love it. I bet it will sound sweet tooo. Thats kinda what I got on order from Mowry. I have already bought my Waverlies from Stew Mac. Nickel with Bill James tailpeice. Sweet.

[Lane Pryce]

Very nice Fred. Are you not gonna miss the Collings? It was certainly a work of art. Anyway I'm sure you'll be very pleased with the RD. The few I have heard were exceptional instruments. Lp

[sgarrity]

What a beautiful mandolin. #And I can assure you, if it sounds anything like mine, you're going to be a very satisfied customer. #Don's workmanship and tone take a back seat to no one. I'm definitely looking forward to playing one of these vintage models some day.

I was wondering why those two varnished Collings were for sale. Now it all makes sense!

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

[Phil Jolly]

Wow

[Bill Van Liere]

Just checkin in with ya Fred to see if yer still dreamin about a BRW

[mandolooter]

classy....I really dig the flower pot with the tilting top opening...also, cool new take on the tailpiece...maybe some day I'll get over to your side of the state and we can hook up.

[Scotti Adams]

That is one fine lookin axe. Im gonna have to make the trip to see Don...seeing how he lives within shouting distance of me.

[mandopete]

Fred, you're almost as fickle as Scotti!

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

Congrats and I hope to hear this one soon - you comming to Wintergrass?

[Lee]

Fred, a Red Diamond AND a BRW? Why?
Do you want or expect them to be different? If so, how?

[Eric F.]

Fred, a Red Diamond AND a BRW? Why?
Do you want or expect them to be different? If so, how?
Yeah, aren't they both made in Ohio?

[Lee]

Hey, I'm the last one to call a kettle black. I have multiple mandos too. It's a hypothetical question. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Bill Van Liere]

Lee...and you should be asking why, with that excellent herd of A models that you have<insert smiley face>

For the record; Lee is a great source of info concerning many of today's top A's

[Don Grieser]

Is it there yet? Have you been checking the tracking number every 15 minutes? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[fredfrank]

Just went home for lunch, and it's here! Actually, the color is pretty much exactly like the old Loars. Cool! Haven't tuned it up yet.

[Scotti Adams]

Fred, you're almost as fickle as Scotti!

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

Congrats and I hope to hear this one soon - you comming to Wintergrass?
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif ya think?

[F5G WIZ]

That is one fine lookin axe. Im gonna have to make the trip to see Don...seeing how he lives within shouting distance of me.
Give me a call, I'll go with you!

Heard a Red Diamond being played at the Southern Ohio BG festival the other day. Man did that thing have a great bark! Nice looking and sounding mandolin. I may be wrong but I think that Staats is playing a Red Diamond in the videos of him on You Tube. There is one close up and it appears to be a Red Diamond

[Phil Jolly]

Fred,
What number is your RD?

[fredfrank]

This is number 175. I just got home from the longest afternoon at work I've ever had, and played it some more. It's kinda difficult to describe the tone on this mandolin. I've never played a Loar, but if I could imagine what one would sound like, I'd hope this was it.

In short, this is the tone I've wasted thousands of dollars looking for.

Oh, and by the way, Staats is playing a Red Diamond as well as Don Rigsby, but they're the regular F5 Don builds. He did say that both of their mandolins are varnished, however. Don MacRostie is, as I am, a big fan of varnish finish as it pertains to tone.

[stevem]

Congrats Fred! Perfect execution there.

[fredfrank]

Congrats and I hope to hear this one soon - you comming to Wintergrass?[/quote]
I won't be at Wintergrass, although I would have relished the chance to meet you, Scotti.

[mandopete]

In short, this is the tone I've wasted thousands of dollars looking for.
Yeah, I've heard that before!

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

Really, Fred congratulations. I have always thought your other mandolins sounded pretty good (Gibson & Collings), but as I've said before, it's the player that makes the tone. I can't wait to hear it.

[Phil Jolly]

So Fred,
What are your impressions now that you've had a few days to get to know each other?

[fredfrank]

This mandolin just has 'IT'. Did you see my Gibson in the classifieds? It's a little odd that Red Diamond Mandolins don't get mentioned more often. I've never played a mandolin that had the exact tone I wanted to hear. Until now. And I've had some good 'uns.

[Phil Jolly]

Yup,
I saw that. It sure is a purty mandolin too. Does your RD have a flat fretboard? Don's site says the vintage has the traditional flat fretboard, but the first picture you posted looks radiused to me. Maybe its just my eyes.

[Don Grieser]

Don's mandolins deserve a lot more attention. #I've got a RD oval A that's ended my search for an old Gibson.

I guess they don't get talked about much because they hardly ever come up for sale on the classifieds. But that says a lot. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[sgarrity]

In my 8+ years of playing mandolin I can probably count on one hand the number of Red Diamonds I've seen for sale. That's why when #158 came up for sale, I didn't even ask for pictures. I knew it would be a good'un and it is. I can only imagine how good this vintage varnish model sounds. We're gonna need some sound clips Fred.

I'm still kicking myself for not buying that oval hole when it was available. But it looks like it found a great home at Mr Grieser's house. I sent Don an email about making me an oval hole and he said he's currently not taking any custom orders. I'm assuming he must be plenty busy now with his standard and vintage F5 models.

Shaun

[fredfrank]

This particular Vintage model has a radiused fretboard. I cannot imagine this one coming up for sale any time soon. I'm a little surprised at the number of people who have never heard of the Red Diamond mandolins. I've been wanting one for a lot of years now.

[mandopete]

Out of curiousity Fred, did you order this one and how long did you have to wait?

[tin ben dur]

I just wanted to step back in here and say SWEEEEEEEEEEEEET looking mando.

[squirrelabama]

Mmmmmmmmmmm...side bound headstock!! me likey!!

[Brian Aldridge]

On Feb 2, 2007 I took possesion of Red Diamond Vintage F5, #179. I decided to wait a bit before I posted a short review of this mandolin because many times I go through an infatuation period with a mandolin when it's new to me, and I wanted to be as subjective as possible. This mandolin is the proto-type of his Dawg F5, being that it is specifically carved to the specs of David Grisman's '22 Loar some call Crusher. Don goes a step farther than just carving thickness; he also has a system for testing flexibility to achieve a more exact desired result. He is a natural and talented engineer. The hinged tailpiece cover, which hinges on the treble side, is very nice indeed. Opens easily and eliminates the worry of loosing it and what to do with it while changing a string on stage. First impression of the mandolin is that it looks great. The selection of wood is tremendous- just what one might expect in a vintage F5. The pics Fred posted of his says that quite well. Very authentic sunburst, color and feel to the varnish. The playability and intonation leaves nothing to be desired, it's great. The coumpound radiused fretboard is very comfortable and easy to get used to. The mandolin sounds incredible. Very responsive and open. It has the great Loar tones- a great spectrum of highs lows and mids ranges. It works very well in a band situation with the other instruments, and mics very well. I do not find it lacking in any area, and it does not leave me wishing I had taken something else to the job. Don MacRostie is a heck of a guy. A pure pleasure to work with; very professional and accomodating. My reason for posting this is just so people know what they could expect in a mandolin from Don, specifically his Vintage model. You won't see this mandolin in the classified section. No "pump and dump" here. If you make it to any of the venues where Dry Branch Fire Squad will be playing, look me up and I will be happy to let you see and play this mandolin so you can form your own opinion of Don's work.

[Greg Saer]

Don is a great guy and his mandolins are awesome ! Nice !

[LateBloomer]

Brian I want to be first in line to take you up on the offer to see/hear/try the Red Diamond! Your description makes me drool.
LateBloomer

p.s. If you need a mandolin babysitter anytime soon just let me know!

[Rick Schmidlin]

Don is a class act, I played a F5 Vintage and Merlefest last year and still have MAS.

[Phil Jolly]

I can't handle these threads. I have a new A5 vintage on the way from Don this summer. I've been trying to forget about it so the time passes faster, but you guys just have to keep reminding me... Now it seems like it'll never get here http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[fredfrank]

Brian,

Congratulations, and welcome to the Red Diamond mandolin owners' club. Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to torture all the non-owners, and people still waiting for their order to be completed.

http://xs315.xs.to/xs315/07195/100-1406s.JPG (http://xs.to)

[Larry Simonson]

It is really nice to see Don is getting these outstanding tributes for his instruments; he is very deserving. I was very lucky to have stumbled on to his instruments about 4 years ago and smart(?)enough to order one. Just last week one of Don Stover's (RIP)old bandmates came by and played it. His take: "Just wonderful".

[goose 2]

Fred,

Your new Red Diamond there looks great. It looks so much like my DMM(you need to rough yours up a bit) its uncanny. I'll bet it plays and sounds great. Got any sound clips? Sound Clips Brian?

[Stanley Cox]

Hey Fred, Great looking Red Diamond. I also like that strap. Care to share where you got it?

Thanks, Stanley http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[NoNickel]

Me too on the strap -- where did you get it? Frank, congrats on a beautiful mandolin.

Question: Earlier in the thread, I was puzzled by this exhange:


Just checkin in with ya Fred to see if yer still dreamin about a BRW

Fred, a Red Diamond AND a BRW? Why?
Do you want or expect them to be different? If so, how?

Yeah, aren't they both made in Ohio?





As an owner of a beautiful BRW (sound & appearance) I was wondering what I was missing in the conversation.

[Brian Aldridge]

sorry Goose, I do not have the capability to do sound clips. Thanks everyone for the congrats.

[fredfrank]

Hey Goose, everytime I take this thing out, it seems I bump something with it. Just little nicks, but it's slowly becoming very personalized.

As for the reference to the BRW, I had ordered one of Ben's new eliptical hole F4's. But after reviewing my financial situation, my wife decided I have enough mandolins.

And the strap is from Janet Davis Music. It's called the 'Latigo' mandolin strap. Just look under mandolin straps. It's about the fourth one down on that page.

Thanks, Jasona. I have no idea why my link wouldn't work. Usually, it's no problem. Oh well.

[jasona]

Edited link. (http://www.janetdavismusic.com/mandolin_straps.html)