Need help deciding...

[pjlama]

I'm pulling the trigger on a new Giacomel and David has three in stock. There's sound clips up of each but I'm struggling to chose one. Here's a link to the mandos with sound clips Giacomel (http://acousticdisc.com/giacomel/giacomel.html)
Let me know what you guys think.

[midmando]

With my nasty computer speakers I couldn't hear a ton of difference - if I was choosing though I'd pick 5907. #Visually I'd choose 6207. #FWIW - I'm sure my tastes don't match yours http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Good luck!

[elvisNoir]

I'm pulling the trigger on a new Giacomel and David has three in stock. There's sound clips up of each but I'm struggling to chose one. Here's a link to the mandos with sound clips Giacomel (http://acousticdisc.com/giacomel/giacomel.html)
Let me know what you guys think.
This might not help.
1. I would not place much trust in sound clips as a way to shape my purchase decision on a mandomajor purchase. I would play before I bought.

2. If you cannot decide between the sonic characteristics of instruments, and you are the one who--in theory--knows best your tastes and your style and your goals...you might need to put off that purchase.

3. Failing that, buy the best looking one because they are probably all awesome.

[Brad Weiss]

Oooh, tough choices. #The 2 point sounds great, and looks cool, too. #I think 6007 had the best overtones, #6307 the best mid-range; I liked 6307, but I'm sure I'm biased by the fact that I like the finish best on that one... Can't go wrong, I think.

[Chris Biorkman]

I think 6307 looks the coolest. My speakers aren't good enough to hear much of a difference in tone.

[swampy]

6007

[Chris Biorkman]

Ask Dawg for the best one. He probably knows better than most people on this board, except for me, of course. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Brad Weiss]

Ask Dawg for the best one. He probably knows better than most people on this board,

Agreed.


except for me, of course. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
maybe not this part... # # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[pjlama]

Ask the Dawg, that's probably what'll happen. I like them all, I'm favoring 63 but am second guessing a bit. I'm waiting to hear back from David as I emailed him a bunch of incoherent wants in a mandolin. I just thought it would be fun to involve the Cafe in the choice. The next best thing to a new mandolin is vicarious mandolin buying.

[first string]

From what I can hear, I would say that I think you are right to lean towards 63. Not a bad predicament to have...

[JEStanek]

It's a $12K mandolin... fly out and try them... Ask the Dawg. What if it sounds great but the neck feels awful to you. Have you held a Giacomel? I find I have a pretty good feel for what I like in a neck... maybe you'll adapt to a different neck, maybe you won't. For a $12K mando I would plop down $500 for airfair out and back. Or have Dawg ship you two and send one back....

That's a lotta ca$h-o-la for buying unplayed, especially when you have 3 to choose from.
Besides, this gives you an excuse to hang out with Grisman for some time.
Jamie

[Ken Olmstead]

It's a $12K mandolin... fly out and try them... Ask the Dawg. #What if it sounds great but the neck feels awful to you. #Have you held a Giacomel? #I find I have a pretty good feel for what I like in a neck... maybe you'll adapt to a different neck, maybe you won't. #For a $12K mando I would plop down $500 for airfair out and back. #Or have Dawg ship you two and send one back....

That's a lotta ca$h-o-la for buying unplayed, especially when you have 3 to choose from.
Besides, this gives you an excuse to hang out with Grisman for some time.
Jamie
I agree with Jamie for sure!!

You are a lucky man! I like #6007 for tone bars (all others are x-braced) and that amber color on the back gives it a sweet overall look to me!

Have fun!!

[pjlama]

There's noway to go out there, very busy at work, have two little kids and one coming. I've had good luck buying sight unseen and if I hate I'm sure I can send it back. I do like 60 too, hmmm. Maybe somebody could go over there for me and try em out, there's plenty of California hippies on the board http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[mandroid]

Hey, I for one , like the looks of the 3 point.

I coulda been a hippie but I was in the Navy in 66-7-8-9 ,so I had to wait for a weekend off
to Go to Max Yasger's farm on a weekend in August.

[pjlama]

I'm really set on the look of the J5 although the J3 is stunning. The Dawg's not making this any easier, here's what he had to say;

"62 seems rounder, sweeter with a bit more low end. It looks and
sounds more like the one I play.

63 has more "pop" and attack, as well as the "2-tone" finish
and slightly more elaborate bindings.

Both instruments are loud and responsive.

Just to add to the confusion, one of my oldest friends, also a
mandolin picker (who owned a Loar F-5 and now has a '28 model)
thought that #60 (parallel braced) was the best sounding."

He sent over high res pics of them and the all look amazing so the theory of 63 being the looker was unfounded, it was just a better photo of that one. Well, this is a tough one.

[Chris Biorkman]

If it were me, I would take the parallel braced one (after listening through some better speakers). Doesn't sound like you can go wrong with any of them, but if you don't like it, you can always send it back.

[pjlama]

I like the way the parallel braced one sounds too but that just may be a comfort level thing. So I think the sound of 60 since it's more familiar, the look of 63 but 62 is more like Grisman's and has more bass. I need to find some good speakers, I've just been using headphones and computer speakers.

[JEStanek]

I like 63 and 59 the best. Good luck! You really find yourself in an enviable position, huh!

Jamie

[Bigtuna]

They all sound out of this world, but #6007 grabs my eyes. I really like the orangish back. And I may not know what I'm talking about, but I've always heard that tone bar bracing will keep opening up and mature more so than an X-braced mandolin. So, if #6007 is going to just get better with time, I can't wait to hear it later on down the road. The cycle business must be good right now with gas prices. The funny thing is I was checking out your web page and my little lady walked in about the same time I was listening to them all, and she was way more pissed about me wanting / looking a bike than a new mandolin. All my friends have now bought bikes recently and she is afraid I will get one and get hurt. So, fellas tell the ladies, that you're thing about getting a bike and the new mandolin will sound like a really good idea! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[DryBones]

can't afford to fly out because of 2 kids and 1 on the way but can still afford to drop 12K on mandolin?http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif what am I missing here? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[pjlama]

It's not affording, it's the time, I never said afford. My time is very limited. Actually, our business is a little off from the economy this year but it's still great. Sorry for the trouble. The bikes we sell are really nice, I love the Ducati Superbikes, they're my favorite, I've been riding the 1098R. I was thinking that too about 60...

[Chris Biorkman]

can't afford to fly out because of 2 kids and 1 on the way but can still afford to drop 12K on mandolin?http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif what am I missing here? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif
He said it was a time issue. He is a small business owner.

[steve V. johnson]

Fer heaven's sake, listen to 'em on some good speakers!!!

I like the "62 seems rounder, sweeter with a bit more low end..." one.

You're sure right about the vicarious thrill.

Is it just me, or is the J3 sound sample much shorter than the others? For myself, the J3.

Thanks for this, it's great fun!

stv

[man dough nollij]

What about three approval periods? Throw dice or draw straws for which one you'll buy, then buy that one. If it's absolutely "the one" for you and you know it, keep it. If not, send it back and have 'em send you another one. In that price range, that doesn't sound unreasonable. I suppose you could have them send out two, and send one back... Man, there are a lot worse problems a guy could have. Good luck!

[pjlama]

I do like the sound of the J3 #quite a bit to but it's missing the darn scroll, can we call it a scroll in this case? For this much money I need a scroll, or something like it. I don't know if the Dawg feels like running back and forth to the UPS store every couple days for my indecisive butt, I think he has another job or something that takes up most of his time. He plays a little funny looking guitar I believe. I need to go to a high end speaker shop with my laptop and annoy the elitist stereo salesmen with mandolin sound clips. This whole deal is kind of funny because rather than bothering Greg Boyd or Dennis or Dan at SMG or even a builder I'm asking a legend stupid questions like "will this mandolin look good with my hair?" It's all a little surreal.

[Chris Biorkman]

PJ, make up your mind already and make sure you give us a detailed review. The more I look at this guy's mandolins, the more I warm up to the design. I particularly like the three point. Although I do think you are a little crazy for selling your Ellis. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[pjlama]

I'm completely nuts for selling the Ellis but I'm a bit of an Italiaphile, I'm of Italian decent, love most things Italian and I own a Ducati dealership for Pete's sake. So a wacky Italian mandolin just makes sense. There are serious merits to each mandolin. I told Grisman I would make up my mind in the 11th hour so you can expect to suffer for the next few days, at least, I'm still waiting for a mando-money check.

[Chris Biorkman]

Well, I'm Swedish so I don't think I have to worry about a luthier from that country causing me to sell my Ellis. I went to Rome and Florence two years ago, and despite a trip to the emergency room in Florence, I would consider myself to be a bit of an Italiaphile as well. It's my favorite place I've ever been (besides Albuquerque of course). http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[delsbrother]

I'm completely nuts for selling the Ellis but I'm a bit of an Italiaphile, I'm of Italian decent, love most things Italian and I own a Ducati dealership for Pete's sake. So a wacky Italian mandolin just makes sense.
Then I would hold out for a red one. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[pjlama]

I'm not down with a red mandolin maybe a green, white and red one. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Chris, if you're an Italiaphile let me send you a fast red motorcycle http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[guitharsis]

PJ
What a dilemma:) They're all gorgeous. It would be nice if you could try 60, 62 and 63 since you're so undecided. It would be worth a very quick trip there or having them all sent out so you could A/B or A/B/C them.

Love the Ducati superbike.

[Chris Biorkman]

I'm not down with a red mandolin maybe a green, white and red one. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Chris, if you're an Italiaphile let me send you a fast red motorcycle #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
My wife would love that.

[sgarrity]

Get one with the scroll/hook thingy. How's that for something to call it? LOL
For that kind of $$$ I'd definitely want the J5. And I like 6307

[BlueMountain]

Well, a treat to hear all of them over decent speakers. They sound different, yet they all have a distinctive Giacomel sound. I think if it were me, I'd go with 62, but that's no help at all. Interesting that the two point sounds just as good as the others, and I wouldn't know the difference if I were hearing them with my eyes closed.

Wouldn't it be fun if the Chinese Giacomels sounded and looked this good?

[billhay4]

All of these are being played up the neck which makes it hard to distinguish them and to tell how they really sound (especially at the low end).
I like the first one best, but if I were going to put down this money, I'd want someone I trusted to play them first, or play them myself.
Order them all.
Bill

[Denny Gies]

Ask the Dawg to pick the one that most closely matches your tastes and requirements. Let him know what kind of sound you most desire and see what his opinion is given those parameters.

[Steve Perry]

Quit screwing around... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif # Get 62! #It really is the best sounding one.

[pjlama]

Ah, the clock is ticking... I'm going to send the check tomorrow and make the final decision on Monday. This is agonizing.

[delsbrother]

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m278/durbien/dawgati.jpg

[pjlama]

I listened on better speakers and here's the story. I like the sound of 62 the best but I like the look of 63. So it's aesthetic or sound. Conversely they both look and sound great so I'm just splitting hairs.

[Jim Kasperson]

When you buy one and play it for two weeks, you won't remember what the others sounded like. Thanks for this thread. I have had so much fun pretending that I had to choose one. I did. Based on sound alone, I like 6007. But the real truth of the matter is that any one of these is incredible. This is a new Loar. The sound is simply what a mandolin (for any music) should sound like. They will grow in sound and become yours. Pull the trigger and enjoy whatever falls. You are living a dream.
Kasper
P.S. Why did I spend so much time getting degrees and being professional. I should have sold bikes. Thanks again

[pjlama]

I don't, I have very little education http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif really I have friends with plenty of degrees, heck my wife has a masters and never made a tenth of what I make. Before the store I sold instruments and played full time, that didn't pay so well http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Paul Kotapish]

PJ, I'm not sure where David keeps the mandos--but Acoustic Disc is in San Rafael, just about an hour from the San Francisco airport. If you caught an early flight up you could be back home again the same day with your personally chosed Giacomel in hand. Short of that, I'd ask David to choose for you based on your tonal preferences.

I don't quite get the Giacomel visual aesthetic, but I prefer the three-point over the ones with that horsehoof scroll. They all sound great, and I'm sure they play great, too.

[Jim MacDaniel]

From a pure viusual point of view, I find 6007 the most striking.

[F5GRun]

I would say get him to ship you out the tone bar and the x-braced. Then split those hairs. i really like 63 but thats just me.

[pjlama]

Well, it's for real now. I sent the check today! I'm going to need to get serious and decide. I'm definetly pinching myself a little.

[pjlama]

I wish Jason, going out to Cali and sampling mandos at the Dawg pound would be a dream but my life is really that tight that even a day flight would not work. I'm just going to make a last minute irrational decision, that's how I roll. I do appreciate all the input, this has been fun so don't let up I'll make a decision on Monday.

[Gutbucket]

Eeeny-meeny-miney-moe.....

[DryBones]

whatever you decide we just want to see pics with it in your hands and a smile on your face!

[pjlama]

Well I made a decision!


















#62

[bradeinhorn]

they all sound very consistent to me. i'm sure you'll be happy with any. if it was me, i'd have gone with the two point. it seems to have a more focused sweet sound. this could be a micing issue though. perhaps it's been played more. enjoy. can't wait to see more shots of this one! of the three 5's i think i'd have gone with 62 too.