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View Full Version : Prodigal 5 - How Are They?



Jim M.
Aug-03-2004, 4:10pm
Prodigal 5, based on the Loar A5, lists for $12,000 but here on e-bay at $2500:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws....78&rd=1 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10179&item=3739957678&rd=1)

Has anyone played one? How were they? Are they worth it?

Jim Hilburn
Aug-03-2004, 4:24pm
I think we're seeing reality at work.

b.pat
Aug-03-2004, 4:38pm
Hey boys and girls, you ain't seen nothing yet!!
Nothing yet (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=3739712455&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT)
$2,500 I don,t think so. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
B.Pat

kudzugypsy
Aug-19-2004, 1:13pm
yeah, i had heard all the hype about this mando being the bomb, and it doesnt seem to be commanding more attention that a good used flatiron.
anybody out there got any experience with these?
$12,000 is ......well.......that guy is gonna take a beating.

kudzugypsy
Aug-19-2004, 1:17pm
you would think for $12,000 they would put a decent set of tuners on the thing. i mean a set of $40 tuners on a $12,000 mandolin?http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif?? if they're cutting corners that close, i'd say they were knocking folks over the head.

kudzugypsy
Aug-19-2004, 1:18pm
yeah, i had heard all the hype about this mando being the bomb, and it doesnt seem to be commanding more attention that a good used flatiron.
anybody out there got any experience with these?
$12,000 is ......well.......that guy is gonna take a beating.

mandolooter
Aug-19-2004, 6:12pm
Anyone actually played one of these? If so, what was the tone like? $12,000 is a lotta moo-la for a mandolin, but losing almost 10 G's selling one is hard to believe! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

sgarrity
Aug-19-2004, 9:33pm
Vintage Guitar did a review on them a few months back. As I remember, the review was passable but not spectacular. At $12,000 I want spectacular. I really wonder if many have been sold for the 12k mark. I remember seeing a few other used ones that were much, much less. If they were in the $2500-3000 range and I wanted an A-style, I'd take a good look at them. But $12,000 is in Nuggett and Gil territory.
Shaun

mandoJeremy
Aug-19-2004, 11:09pm
and I honestly wouldn't give $12,000.00 for ANY A-model! #When it gets above $3,000.00 for an A-model (unless it is the actual Loar A-model!) then just leave me out! #I think Mark and Tut might be over-estimating the worth of these by about nine or ten thousand dollars. #Who cares if Tut owned the Loar A at one time? #I think that is what they are going by on this one and I still don't see an A-model going for anywhere near that!

Mace
Aug-20-2004, 3:15am
I question the value of A's a bit. Givens, Tucker and several small builders have built A's that are commanding higher and higher prices. It is my opinion that they can stand the tonal comparison with F's of much greater value. I am curious about the Prodigal, hype without merit? Put it to the test.

cutbait2
Aug-20-2004, 6:33am
asking and getting are two different things, its probably a fine instrument but with so many quality A's at around 2500 there probably wasn't a market and it may have never sold. that said i think a somewhat naive buying public has allowed builders to go over the top with prices, and who can blame them, but again asking isn't getting regardless of the perception

Mark53
Aug-20-2004, 8:00am
I still have not heard any mandolin at any price sound, look or play better than the Phoenix Bluegrass model.

As with small builders in the guitar world, there is way too much hype. Lets all have a reality check. These things (other than rare collectable/vintage), are way too expensive.

I recently sold my Olson SJ for a TON of money. I sold it because my Martin OM-18GE at a fraction of the price was a better guitar on almost every level.

When the smoke clears, it's hard to beat a Collings, Phoenix or a Gibson. The rest is a romantic fantasy.

Chris Baird
Aug-20-2004, 9:09am
"When the smoke clears, it's hard to beat a Collings, Phoenix or a Gibson. The rest is a romantic fantasy."

That sentiment is a fantasy.

Ken Berner
Aug-20-2004, 9:44am
You are "right on", Chris!

GVD
Aug-20-2004, 10:03am
As with small builders in the guitar world, there is way too much hype. Lets all have a reality check. These things (other than rare collectable/vintage), are way too expensive.

I haven't bought any small builder guitars but I have bought a small builder mandolin and my experience is quite the opposite of what you suggest. I played lots and lots of big builder mandolins and would have spent nearly twice as much to get comparable tone and volume.

Some of the "elite" small builders seem to be overpriced to a lot of us but as long as they have waiting list for their product it's hard to argue with them.

GVD

cutbait2
Aug-20-2004, 11:41am
i've never played a phoenix but when the smoke clears there are alot of good mandolins, in addition to gibson

Mark53
Aug-20-2004, 12:01pm
"i've never played a phoenix but when the smoke clears there are alot of good mandolins, in addition to gibson "

No doubt, but not worth $12,000.

Strado Len
Aug-20-2004, 1:59pm
The one on ebay sold for $2,550, not a bad price for a handmade A-style. Maybe "bradpric" subscribes to this forum and will report on his new mando.

Aug-20-2004, 2:06pm
I have played about 4 of these. I played one that knocked my socks off at SPBGMA. The other 3 were shall we say very disappointing http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif . No where near the $12,000 retail price.

$2500 tops.

Tony Sz
Aug-20-2004, 7:39pm
I played one at IBMA, and was ready to play and get a severe case of MAS. I played it, and it did not happen. ( thankfully)

mandolooter
Aug-22-2004, 6:15pm
As with every builder, some turn out better than others in the tone department so while I wouldn't pay 12 G's for one or quite honestly, any other mandolin with the possibly exception of a Loar and that would be only for the rarity factor, Im sure some of them have a tone someone would find perfect. #One thing to remember when reading all the hype about a certain make/model/builder is we all have a slightly different opinion of the "perfect tone". #Don't let someone else's idea of the "peer"fect tone make the decision for ya! #

Just my few centavos of an opinion. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

batman
Aug-27-2004, 8:22am
my son worked for crafters for a short time. while visiting, i got a chance to play a bunch of their instruments. The A's and F's . lets just say that i'd rather have the mando i built from a stew mack kit. i was really impressed with the guitars though. Don Batten