Summer namm 2007

[Ted Eschliman]

It's quite a bit smaller show this summer and fewer exhibitors, but there's enough here to stir up a bit of mandolin coveting. The hall is mostly fluorescent lighting so my pictures are terrible, so use your imagination.

Collings had some interesting finishes and flames:

[Ted Eschliman]

The back on this Collings blond was particularly captivating:

[Ted Eschliman]

And the top:

[Ted Eschliman]

Interesting entry from Eastman. They're tackling production of an oil varnish model and Adirondack Spruce top. Between the finish and the tighter grain, this one (just off the line) will have a few more months to wake up, but it had a good start. Very loud:

[pjlama]

Ted,
Can you post some pics of Peter Mix's new F's?

[Ted Eschliman]

Exquisite 'burst:

[Ted Eschliman]

And Eastman Back:

[Ted Eschliman]

Cool meeting Gonzalo again, John Jorgenson's rhythm guitarist at the Century Strings (Draleon). Note Gordon Roberts on the left:

[Ted Eschliman]

Friend and one of my favorite jazz mandolinists, Will Patton playing (and coveting) this blonde Royale:

[Ted Eschliman]

Coolness at Breedlove:

[Ted Eschliman]

Wall of Kentucky:

[Ted Eschliman]

Confession: yes I was Jonesing this entry level tenor banjo at the Deering booth:

[Ted Eschliman]

Most fun for me, getting to see the new F5 Carbon Fibre mandolins. I hope to go back and get some more pictures tomorrow, but rave reviews from me. These are the real deal.

At the booth were Will Patton and Paul Glasse, along with Peter Mix. What a treat to hear them jam together!

[Ted Eschliman]

You heard it here first, they were in the studio last night working on some duet tracks for Will's next CD!
(Oh BOY!!!)

[Ted Eschliman]

Will experiencing the benefit of that great "scroll sound." And up close!
More pictures tomorrow...

[Ken Berner]

Thanks, Ted, for putting us in the expo with you and getting to see all of the new instruments, particularly the Mix. I must have been fun to hear the mandolins sing.

[TAD]

Thanks for the pictures.. Since I live in Austin I had planned on attending but found out it was closed to the public so I couldn't get in. Looks like they had some nice mandolins as well as other instruments inside...

[MandoSquirrel]

Thanks, great job as always, Ted.

[Ted Eschliman]

Some new additions; I didn't see the A's at the Collings booth yesterday:

[Ted Eschliman]

The Birdseye back and sides of this was stellar:

[Ted Eschliman]

Request for more New-MAD F5? You got it!

[Ted Eschliman]

More:

[Ted Eschliman]

Understand these look 1000 times better in person; the camera does not do them justice:

[Ted Eschliman]

The red Kevlar weave in F5 #2:

[Ted Eschliman]

Lighting really plays tricks, but this one is gorgeous:

[Ted Eschliman]

A glance at the Blue A4 back:

[Ted Eschliman]

And together:

[Ted Eschliman]

I stopped at the Garrison booth. They did not have any mandolins there, unfortunately. They did say mandolins would continue to be produced under the Garrison Name. Also the Octave mandolins are gone, they will continue to make an 18" scale, but they will now be listed as "Mandolas," and tuned as such.

[Chris Biorkman]

So Ted, is there any difference between the a and f styles as far as tone goes?

[Reid Morsi]

Hi there Ted thanks for the pics, particularly all the Collings ones, gotta love what Bill and those guys are doing down there in Austin.
Do you happen to know if it is true that they are discontinuing the blond MT's and MF's? I saw in your pics of the Collings A-models that there was a blond MT2, a birdseye sunburst MT2, a sunburst MT, and a blacktop MT, but no blond MT. I believe it was someone at Acoustic Music Works in Pittsburgh that i talked to that said Collings was saving the "blond" worthy wood for their higher end models. If this is true it would really be a shame cuz i am finally getting enough cash together for an MT, and i really wanted one in blond. If anyone can provide any info on this subject it would be much appreciated.

[pjlama]

Yes please report any tonal difference between Peter's A and F. I'm gonna get one when Peter gets back and thought I was set on an A but that F is sweet,

[pjlama]

Oh, sorry for being rude. Thank you for posting those I really appreciate it. Ted rocks! Whoops, Ted swings!

[mandroid]

... is the CF Mix F5 scroll hollow?

[delsbrother]

Nice to see Paul Glasse. How is he these days?

Those NewMADs look racy! Kinda like they're covered in snakeskin... Hmmm....

[John Hill]

I like the Mix's F-5 headstock's nod to BRW's LT-H4E.

[fatt-dad]

I mean, could you really scratch the top of a carbon fiber mandolin (just noticing the pickguard)? They're kind of cool though. . .

f-d

[Ted Eschliman]

Just a few more I didn't have time to get in Sunday. Our very own Haiku King, Brian Altair with Paul Glasse and Will Patton.

[Ted Eschliman]

This close-up of Will almost begs some kind of caption...

[Ted Eschliman]

I was privy to their Trade Show horror story the first time I went to the Eastman booth. All their gear had been sent to the wrong airport. Disaster averted, they now had a full display on Sunday and it was worth the return. This stunning F, classic sunburst finish was unbelievable in person:

[Ted Eschliman]

Unless you happen to believe blondes have more fun:

[Ted Eschliman]

Business side of the Eastman blonde:

[Ted Eschliman]

This Eastman really tugged at my heart strings; I'm going to regret not grabbing it for myself:

[Soupy1957]

By any chance was Smith Creek represented there?

-Soupy1957