I love me an a5

[bradeinhorn]

let's see some A5 mandos!

[Lee]

Poor resolution. Any guesses?

[djweiss]

This one has been here before...but you asked; 2002 Newson A5:

[David Horovitz]

1989 Gibson A-5L

[Brad Weiss]

Always happy to oblige!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

Oh! It's a Mowry #21, Valentine's Day '07

[mandolooter]

Its been awhile since I posted a pic of this mandolin...1979 R L Givens A5

[sboneill]

Here is my MT2. She been driven pretty hard but plays like a dream and sounds fantastic!! -Scott

[cooper4205]

1987 Flatiron A5-Jr. pre-Gibson, signed by Carlson. best $600 i have ever spent!

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/wesb4217/flatiron1.jpg

[pickinNgrinnin]

December 99 Gibson A5-L, signed by Charlie.

[Eric F.]

2005 Arches:

[jasona]

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/uploads/post-15-82041-oblique.jpg
2002 Laura Ratcliff

[Gibson A5]

Here is my 1964 Gibson A5
Bill P.

[Jim Garber]

1983 Flatiron A5-2, one of the early ones.

Jim

[BassGuy]

My 83' A5-1, a true Hoss that moves lots of air.

[BassGuy]

Picture

[Hans]

My favorite piece of quilt!

[BassGuy]

70's ODE A-5, mature vintage tone

[fatt-dad]

It's the Gruhn photo of my 84 A5-1. I have many others, but they're just too big to post with out resizing and I'm still waiting for my coffee. . . .

I love this mandolin (nice brother BassGuy)

[BassGuy]

My Nugget Tim Obrien #19, special mandolins

[BassGuy]

I love my A-5's. Here is my old Tucker A-5 prototype now owned by another happy cafe member. I miss it bad.

[BassGuy]

Headstock of Tucker

[BassGuy]

And the Stiver that is also in the hands of another Cafe member.

[BassGuy]

I apologize for using up so much bandwidth. I don't post much, but the A-5's get me going. Thanks,

[Lane Pryce]

Tracy don't apologize keep em coming!! You and Lee definitely have it going on with the A5s. I'll get a pic of Mowry up shortly. Lp

[mandopete]

It appears that the term "A-5" designates and an A style body shape with F holes. What is the standard term for a A style body with an oval hole?

[bradeinhorn]

a, a0, a1, a2, a3, a4
also sometimes ajr, sometimes jrs have f holes.
also a5 can be a two point with oval hole.

[Lane Pryce]

What is the standard term for a A style body with an oval hole?
How bout jes an ole A hole!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif Lp

[fatt-dad]

My ol' Stiver went to a fellow Cafe member (I decided to keep the A5-1). I really, really liked that Stiver A5! Nice collection BassGuy~!

f-d

[mandopete]

What is the standard term for a A style body with an oval hole?
How bout jes an ole A hole!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif # Lp
Bada Boom!

[Lane Pryce]

Here is my Mowry A5. Lp

[mandopete]

Can I play too?

Fletcher Brock A-somethingorother...

[BassGuy]

Thanks FD and Shayne, my old Flatiron A5-1 has seen quite a few mandolins come and go. It has ran off several high end F-5's. Something special about those early Flatirons.

I like the Newson and the Mowry.

Shayne, when can I come and visit that Dudenbostel again?

[mandopete]

Something special about those early Flatirons.
You can say that again, especially the Carlson flatties!

[Chip Booth]

My old '23 A4. This went to a cafe member.

http://www.publicradioband.net/images/mando/a4/A4%2001%20front.jpg

[Chip Booth]

My old '83 Carlson Flatiron A5-2. I believe this is for sale at Intermountain in Salt Lake. Someone should buy it. I traded it for an '85 Carlson F5.

http://www.publicradioband.net/images/mando/Flatiron%20A5-2%2001.jpg

http://www.publicradioband.net/images/mando/Flatiron%20A5-2%2003.jpg

[hanknc]

Yo!

http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10023/DSC00710.JPG

[Chip Booth]

Fletcher Brock holding up my Brentrup 21V at Wintergrass this year. Both those guys sure can make a nice mandolin! Fletcher's octaves just kill me every time.

http://www.publicradioband.net/images/mando/FletcherWithBrentrup.jpg

[Chip Booth]

Chad Fadley's Gilchrist A4. What a mandolin! Best oval hole I have ever played.

http://www.publicradioband.net/images/mando/ChadsGilchrist.jpg

[Chip Booth]

My '24 A Jr and my cat Skank.

http://www.publicradioband.net/images/mando/Ajr-Skank.jpg

[fatt-dad]

Now that the old oval hole Gibsons have made an appearance, the floodgates are open. There's no end to these. . . . .


Back to the topic at hand: The poor man's monster MIJ KM-250s. Never should have sold it. . . .

f-d

[kyken]

here's one of Laura's A's.

[kyken]

back......

[kyken]

the head......

[mandopete]

Chad Fadley's Gilchrist A4. #What a mandolin! #Best oval hole I have ever played.

http://www.publicradioband.net/images/mando/ChadsGilchrist.jpg
Hey, I gotta copyright on that photo doncha know!

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

[oldwave maker]

Someday soon I'll get me a real mando, in the meantime 321 and 400 will have to do.....

[Russ Jordan]

here's one I regret selling, John Sullivan "The Angel"

[Russ Jordan]

german spruce top

[Russ Jordan]

quilted big leaf back

[Russ Jordan]

This Gerald Anderson is a dandy too. It lives in Ca now.

[sgarrity]

I do love a nice A5. And them thar are some nice'uns.

[Lane Pryce]

Here is a Kelley Snakehead A5 I had once. It now resides in California. Lp

[Lane Pryce]

Here is a back shot of the Kelley Snakehead. Lp

[man doh]

Here is an A-5G I aquired. If anyone has any info on one with these appointments I would be interested in the story.

[man doh]

Head stock ala A-5L

[man doh]

unbound fretboard and triple bound top. A real nice mando I was going to sell but have decided not to.

[Mark Franzke]

Here's my '83 Flatiron A-5-2, Carlson signed #83050016. I traded a Mossman guitar and one of my wife's fiddles for it in 1983. It's always been a killer in sound and looks, with the wild back and super wide grain top. It also has a laminated neck stripe, like some of the other early ones.
I hardly ever miss that Mossman.

[Mark Franzke]

Here's a close-up of the wide grain top. I've always really liked the wider grain.

[Lane Pryce]

Mark that is without a doubt the best looking Flatiron A5 I have ever seen. Lp

I agree,
and the nicest thing about it is that it looks like you play it a lot and dont just polish it!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Respect
DD

[MikeEdgerton]

I've been thinking I might want one of those A5G's. Now I'm pretty sure I do. Very nice.

[fatt-dad]

One more of my Flatiron A5-1. I'm thinking of going electric. . . .

f-d

[James P]

I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop. #
Will Brad post a picture of his Sully? #Or will he post a picture of the mandolin he's replacing it with?
<tap, tap, tap>

[bradeinhorn]

ha ha....

[squirrelabama]

i seem to have more a's than f's, however when I was in grade school, it was quite the opposite when my report card came out!!

[squirrelabama]

another sonic treat....Vessel deluxe A5

[squirrelabama]

some how this didnt make it .....

[Avi Ziv]

My Flatiron A5-Artist

Avi

[Lane Pryce]

Avi --- nice photo of the Artist. Lp

[cbogle]

My all-time favorite "A" model, the prototypical "21MTV", as Dr. Brentrup allows me to call it (tongue-in-cheek), depicted here being held hostage in a basement, somewhere in Minnepoppolis prior to its subsequent escape to sunny California..... rumored to soon be joined by a sibling with a fancy strap hanger. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[fatt-dad]

Avi, What year is your Flatiron and who signed it?

f-d

[Avi Ziv]

f-d - it's a 1998 Nashville-made, Gibson-owned, unsigned, and yet excellent Flatiron.... I know it doesn't have "that" mojo but it's very good still.

Avi

[Ken Berner]

Hey Mark, How did that nice neck inlay get on your Flatiron A5-2? That is a great instrument you have. A friend has an '84 and it is a killer mandolin; yours doesn't look quite as "rustic". I was fortunate to own a '93 A5 Artist (Carlson) which was quilted and very stunning. Thanks for sharing with us!

[ninevah]

Monteleone Style B

[ninevah]

Gilchrist A2-Z - Long neck

[budtrain45]

This is one that I use for a loner.

www.davismandolins.com

[Jim Roberts]

Here's a shot of the backside of Heiden #38 which Santa Claus brought me last Christmas. One piece back and a one piece Englemann top.

[Jim Roberts]

And top-side. This is an incredible mandolin from a great builder and great guy. Top notch in all respects.

[BRW]

Here's a back shot of a BRW MA-H2
-Ben

[mandolooter]

RLG A5

[Daniel1975]

Awesome thread. Thanks for all the pics everyone.

ninevah, I would love to see more pics of that Gilchrist A2-Z if you get a chance.

Incredible instruments here! I love mandolins

[bradeinhorn]

this is a great thread! thanks for all the pics guys!

[Hoovetone]

SKIP KELLY # 17

[cooper4205]

is that Kelly based on the Loar A5?

[OregonMike]

...holy cow! ninevah you have any more pics of that Gil A2-Z? very nice
Ditto - wow x 2. This one has some serious screen saver mando-drool potential. Please post any more pics you have ninevah (or better yet just send me your address so I can send payment!) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Mike
1916 A-0 Pumpkintop Paddlehead
1924 A-1 Blackface Snakehead
www.MusicMoose.org

[ninevah]

More Gilchrist A2-Z Long Neck

[ninevah]

More Gilchrist A2-Z Long Neck

[ninevah]

More Gilchrist A2-Z Long Neck

[Daniel1975]

Nice, that thing is incredible. I'm sure it sounds as good as it looks, thanks.

[fatt-dad]

Just took some (hopefully) better photos. Here goes. . .

f-d

[fatt-dad]

and of the back. . . .

f-d

[fatt-dad]

more of the back. . . .

f-d

[fatt-dad]

and "in-case"

[ninevah]

Gilchrist A2-Z Long Neck...I'll send all the positive comments to Steve! Yes it's an incredible sounding instrument. To my knowledge there are only two Long Neck A2-Z's like this, the other in the hands of the Dawg. I loaned this instrument to Bill Collings when he was designing his oval hole mandolin. They did make a prototype oval hole, with the usual short neck, back about a year and a half ago. I don't know where Collings is with the oval hole now, though my guess is it's dead. At the same time that Bill was working on the oval hole mando, he was developing the electric guitar and moving into a new, big, expensive building. Hopefully he will get back to the oval hole mandolin, but I'm not holding my breath. The young man who's name I can't remember right now, who does the set-ups for Collings did a super job re-setting the bridge, as it was sloping forward when I got it. WOW what a HUGE effect this has on the sound. I'm floored!

One more pic of the detail in the oval.

[cooper4205]

i scrolled past the headstock pic at first and upon seeing the pics thought "I've never seen an old Gibson that clean"; that Gil is the bee's knees, so to speak

[John Rosett]

Here's my 70's Tennessee A5.

[OregonMike]

Thanks ninevah,

That is so sweet - I think this whole thread and that Gil shot especially shows that the design of the "lowly" A can shine every bit as much as the scrolls can. I think you just kicked off a 'bout of "round hole envy" across the web.

I'm starting a new savings account in case you ever want to sell that one. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Mike
1916 A-0 Pumpkintop Paddlehead
1924 A-1 Blackface Snakehead
www.MusicMoose.org

[squirrelabama]

Collings may not be spending any time with the oval hole at the moment, but Gail Hester sure is!! Check this puppy out!

[squirrelabama]

one more shot of my Vessel A.....Deeeeeeeluxe!

[squirrelabama]

Wow!! You're quite fortunate. I agree, Gail is a great soul!! Thought I'd add one more shot of my Vessel A, shows off the top a bit better. This is one nice sounding A, however the F5 Gary built me makes my tone (not my playing unfortunately) sound like Compton!! It's amazing what world class violin luthiers can do with mandos!

[mingusb1]

Sent this Bill Davis up north recently:

[sgarrity]

I wanted that Bill Davis soooooo bad. I used to own one of his F5's. But I got's too many already.

[Lee]

I've kept in touch with a fellow at Collings and Bill's still very interested in pursuing the Oval-A project, except the introduction of their electric guitar line is keeping them too busy, yet.

[grassrootphilosopher]

Great mandos so far folks, one nicer than the other. This is just my humble gut being adorned by my 30ies Strad-O-Lin. We go back longer than some marriages. Found it at a mandomaker´s shop here in Germany, payed a very decent price for it, and it has outplayed many a much higher valued A or F mando alike.

I love those F holes..stylish.
This pic has a kinda southern comfort/deliverance vibe going on (could be the lack of heads) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[budtrain45]

Charlie Smith an X Monroe fiddle player and recorded with Monroe in the late Fiftys and earley sixtys took his A-5L that I built him to the Opra when he played with Monroe around 1992 at Xmas time and this is a picture that he took of Monroe playing it back stage.

[mandolooter]

I love the vintage vibe of that Vessel headstock...sweeet!

[mandoaaron]

I really liked that picture of Laura's A's. Especially the back of Laura's A's.

[Ken Berner]

Buddy, Your A5-L looks very classy with that F headstock. I think that picture is a classic, too! Thanks for sharing it with us.

[JimRichter]

The first is the Kimble A5 I currently own and gig out with. It has a very unique voice of its own which works well in several styles, including the blues music I mainly do. I don't have a photo of the back, but it has some of the most flamey maple you'd ever see.

[JimRichter]

This is the Kimble A5 two point I owned two Kimbles back. I'd love to have another two point from Will, but I think he's stopped production on them. This was a bluegrass hoss.

[kyblue]

Those 2 pts of Will's are sweet!

Paula

[amowry]

Yes, that's a real beauty.

[Gary S]

Here is my Kimble #57 2 point. It is actually called a style J (nod to Jethro?). This is a fine versatile sounding mandolin that is a joy to play...Gary