Phoenix mandolin received from baldassari auction

[lmartnla]

We received this Phoenix mandolin that my wife purchased from the Café auction for Butch Baldassari in mid February from Rolfe Gerhardt. It’s progress through building was sent in as another thread (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=12;t=50623;hl=phoenix). It is the first in the Europa II edition built using backs of European Sycamore maple, tops of European spruce, and other European woods. It differs in part from the first Europa edition in having a sound port on the upper side for the player’s enjoyment.

Here is Rolfe holding the mandolin before shipping it.

[lmartnla]

Here I am today holding the mandolin I have been playing for a month now. #I could not be happier and enjoy it more every day. #Sometimes I still just sit holding it and looking at it. #You cannot appreciate the design and construction of this mandolin without holding it in your hands and seeing and touching it’s perfection while looking at it from all angles. #No one can do a better job than Rolfe for fit and finish. # I have held a Nugget, a Gilchrist, a Randy Wood. #They can’t top Rolfe. #The sound of course is great and still maturing. #Note I have my Butch band on.

[lmartnla]

The special hybrid varnish finish is very tough. It is not showing any fine wear or light scratches after one month of playing, including several times outside at gigs. Tougher than a new Weber or Rigel in my experience.

[lmartnla]

And the back..

[lmartnla]

I was able to communicate with Rolfe through the entire building process and really enjoyed his dry wit and willingness to answer my questions as he gave a running series of pictures as seen in the earlier thread (Phoenix auction mandolin).

Rolfe let me help him select this one-piece back having a unique pattern cut from the center of his Sycamore maple plank, having more typical figure towards the sides. You will not likely see another like this one anywhere else.

[lmartnla]

Rolfe earlier made the Unicorn mandolin line, and is going to build a limited resurrection soon. #I had tried to think of a laid back special inlay to request in reply to his generous offer to do one for me, and when I heard he was building more I asked for a Unicorn inlay for the pickguard. #So is this a Unicorn or a Phoenix mandolin?

The bridge base is resonant ancient-forest maple recovered from Lake Superior by Timeless Timber.

Look close to see where the bear scratched on the top!

[lmartnla]

The nut is moose bone, one of Rolfe's specialties.

[lmartnla]

The sound port is small but lets out a lot of sound.

[lmartnla]

Port from the front..

[lmartnla]

It is hard to capture all of the fire of the Phoenix inlay in a picture.

[lmartnla]

Same for the texture of the Unicorn inlay.

[Mandolusional]

Hey nice mandolin, congrats. And a great cause to boot, it doesn't get much better than that. All of the Phoenix mandolins I've heard have been consistently impressive.

[Plamen Ivanov]

Well done, both of you! Congratulations and enjoy!

[lmartnla]

I forgot to say thanks again to my wife Carrie---Lou Martin

[Chris Biorkman]

Cool. I miss my Phoenix.

[Brad Weiss]

Here's (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=15;t=27482;hl=europa+and+ro lfe) an original Europa for comparison. #You're in for SOME fun!

[LateBloomer]

Oh you lucky duck!!!!
Leigh Ann
Owner of Unicorn #14

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

[birdman98]

Sound ports for players.....now THAT's cool.

[JEStanek]

Congratulations, It's a beauty and for a wonderful cause too!

Jamie