View Full Version : Boots "nuage" mandolin
dulcillini
May-26-2008, 1:51pm
Anyone out there tried the Boots "Nuage" mandolin, built by Eric Foulke, Seattle, WA ?
All feedback appreciated. I love the looks and the sound bits on the website sound nice.
JEStanek
May-26-2008, 2:05pm
Here's his website. (http://www.bootsmandolins.com)
Jamie
mandroid
May-26-2008, 2:35pm
I got a Hodson Djangolin, which I like a lot, but
quick search of the above website says it's a 15" scale
12th fret to the body, David built this one about a 1/2 inch shorter
scale and a 14 fret to the body neck, body is 2 ply mahogany in and rosewood outside.
advantage: the Boot's builder is still 'with us' and can build, adjusting the features to your desires.
manjitsu
May-26-2008, 2:39pm
I have a Boots Imperial that is absolutely one of my favorite mandolins I've ever played. It's a very special instrument. I'd love to try one of the Nuage models, too.
Spruce
Feb-28-2011, 1:28pm
Here's pics of a new Nuage that followed me home from Wintergrass......
Wonderful instrument!!
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee22/e_stamp/Wintergrass%202011/P1090449.jpg
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee22/e_stamp/Wintergrass%202011/P1090455.jpg
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee22/e_stamp/Wintergrass%202011/P1090458.jpg
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee22/e_stamp/Wintergrass%202011/P1090452.jpg
Very very nice.What is the price range? This will be on my list after i get a nice F-model.
billhay4
Feb-28-2011, 2:13pm
Check with Eric for prices.
He's a first class guy and a very accomplished builder. A perfectionist.
Bill
I now NEED a Century model.
mandroid
Feb-28-2011, 7:16pm
Spruce, site says "selmer style bracing" is used onthe top,
get out your inspection mirror and describe what that is, SVP. :confused:
Gary Hedrick
Feb-28-2011, 7:20pm
I owned an Imperial also.....very loud and nice sounding instrument.....Eric is a very fine young man....an architect......
My only criticism would be the neck joint was a little rough on mine but the fit and finish on the rest of it was very good....
Neat little mandolin that was really fun to play.
Don MacRostie
Mar-01-2011, 7:53am
I just got one of these. I had seen one about four years ago and it stuck with me. So I ordered one from Eric. I was thoroughly pleased with the fit, finish and tone. Looks just like Spruce's except for the back & sides. Mine has tiger maple.
dcoventry
Mar-01-2011, 11:30am
That is one heck of a long bridge. That would seem to indicate more contact with the top. Does that translate into a louder instrument?
billhay4
Mar-01-2011, 11:37am
These instruments are pretty close replicas of the Selmer guitars, hence the long bridge (the Selmer bridge has "wings" on it that make it longer). The bracing would follow that pattern. You can see a plan for a Selmer guitar here (http://www.elderly.com/books/items/509-2.htm) which will give you an idea of the construction of this instrument. I know Eric doesn't use the very complex Selmer neck construction and I am sure he's made other modifications to the guitar plan to suit both modern construction methods and his own style.
He is an architect by trade, but he has a strong interest in replicating traditional instruments in the mandolin format. His archtop is closely based on the Benedetto archtop guitar.
Bill
Beautiful instruments. Ballpark cost? I'm guessing not cheap.
Bill Snyder
Mar-01-2011, 11:03pm
He has changed up his website. He used to have a price list but I am not seeing it on his current site,
If memory serves me correctly these instruments are really reasonably priced for a nice, handmade mandolin.
Eric had a Selmer style ukulele going for the MIMF $100 challenge, but alas he did not get it finished up in time. It is his first uke of this style.
For the next several days you can take a look at that thread HERE (http://mimf.com/cgi-bin/WebX?128@170.RamIa8yaHSV.4@.2cb6e9a8) to get some idea of how he does things.