View Full Version : Where silverangels are born
bgmando
Jul-10-2007, 5:39pm
I recently visited Ken Ratcliff, who often posts pics of his Silverangel mandos here. Thought some of you would like to see the man and his shop.http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa196/bgmando/workingfile013.jpg
bgmando
Jul-10-2007, 5:41pm
Ken at the work bench.
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa196/bgmando/workingfile039.jpg
bgmando
Jul-10-2007, 5:43pm
He hand built this shop, and the adjoining house.
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa196/bgmando/workingfile065.jpg
bgmando
Jul-10-2007, 5:47pm
A finished back, with carving.
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa196/bgmando/workingfile079.jpg
bgmando
Jul-10-2007, 5:49pm
Ken's peghead inlay.
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa196/bgmando/workingfile082.jpg
bgmando
Jul-10-2007, 5:51pm
His house building is as fancy as the mandos.
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa196/bgmando/workingfile016.jpg
DryBones
Jul-10-2007, 6:26pm
he needs a little more duct tape on that chair! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
JEStanek
Jul-10-2007, 6:36pm
I was gonna say! That's a lotta duct tape, Ken! It's cool seeing photos of builders in their environments. Thanks, Bill.
Jamie
I kinda got alot of sentimental feelings for that old chair and can't seem to part with it. Maybe some black duct tape next time?
JEStanek
Jul-11-2007, 7:30am
No way, Ken. That chair's got history and mojo. Keep it working for you.
Jamie
Jim Hilburn
Jul-11-2007, 8:20am
Why can't I look that relaxed when I'm in my shop?
Sonomabob
Jul-11-2007, 12:36pm
Thanks for the post. Really defines a "cottage industry". Lots of soul in the instruments.
bgmando
Jul-11-2007, 1:27pm
Laura at her bench is posted under the women with mandolins thread.
Doug Edwards
Jul-11-2007, 2:16pm
Bill, you bring any new home from your visit? My wife keeps saying I need to take her somewhere for vacation, hmmm. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
Mark Walker
Jul-11-2007, 5:19pm
Bill - thanks for sharing. #That brings back memories of when my wife and I visited with Ken and Laura on our summer vacation a few years ago. #
I've got a photo somewhere of Ken with my first Silver Angel, myself, and Laura I'll have to post.
Isn't that view from Ken's house down the valley a piece of Heaven on Earth?
Thanks again. #GREAT stuff.
DryBones
Jul-12-2007, 8:53am
I kinda got alot of sentimental feelings for that old chair and can't seem to part with it. Maybe some black duct tape next time?
that would be the "Distressed Master Model" chair. You can order one online for $25K http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
bgmando
Jul-12-2007, 1:24pm
Doug -- Laura had a distressed A for sale at a most reasonable price that I thought was one of the finest mandolins I'd ever played. Incredible musicality to it.
I just couldn't afford anything, though.
I understand it's now been sold. Whoever got it is the owner of one tremendous mandolin.
Mark Walker
Jul-12-2007, 5:41pm
I was going to post this picture under the "Post a Picture of Yourself" thread, but decided it fits here - since I was also '...where Silver Angels are born.'
This is myself, Ken & Laura Ratcliff, and 'Oliva' (Silver Angel #192) in their front room. #
Mark Walker
Jul-13-2007, 6:10pm
Hey Ken - in the third photo on this post, the headstock on the mandolin hanging on the cupboard door looks like one similar to the headstocks on your very early models. #
Is that an earlier model getting re-finished or something, or has someone asked for that kind of headstock design? #
Just curious. #(Or maybe more a case of being annoyingly observant! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif )
That's just an old mandolin Mark that got the neck broke in shipment many years ago to CA. I keep it around for old times sake.