Andy Manson

[Mike Black]

For those of you on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/album.php?fbid=174619062555899&id=174408405910298&aid=39274), and need a new source for some true mandolin eye candy... One of my all time favorite builders Andy Manson just added a section for his mandolin family instruments. Including nice pictures of John Paul Jones' electric triple neck.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/167358_182251405125998_174408405910298_587899_2525 971_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/167208_182251431792662_174408405910298_587900_6432 727_n.jpg

[Andrew DeMarco]

Holy mackerel... the top and back are both one piece?

[Charles E.]

:disbelief:

[Mike Black]

Close up of the top. Notice the pickups that are made into the fingerboard.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/166345_182251451792660_174408405910298_587901_7193 310_n.jpg

[Mike Black]

I love the looks of his 3 point mando too. He always has the greatest wood selections!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/163082_174619149222557_174408405910298_528824_7489 596_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/148432_174619205889218_174408405910298_528827_7816 411_n.jpg

[dcoventry]

Wow. Stunning. Awe inspiring. Beautiful. Gorgeous. Huh, where's my credit card......honey?! Can I ask you a question? Would you mind if I.......

[Mike Black]

Andy Manson is probably most well known for this Mermaid Guitar (https://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=39641&id=174408405910298).

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/65485_175561719128300_174408405910298_535209_19696 8_n.jpg

[CES]

OK, the mermaid guitar is creepy...

[strings777]

I love the looks of his 3 point mando too. He always has the greatest wood selections!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/163082_174619149222557_174408405910298_528824_7489 596_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/148432_174619205889218_174408405910298_528827_7816 411_n.jpg

WOW!!! That's beautifully figured maple with a bearded man in the middle...the figure is crystalline looking...never seen anything like it before! :disbelief:

[Mike Black]

This view is just stunning too!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/156278_174619305889208_174408405910298_528833_3701 483_n.jpg

[strings777]

This view is just stunning too!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/156278_174619305889208_174408405910298_528833_3701 483_n.jpg

...the figure of the maple is simply amazing!!!

[Mike Black]

Here is his website http://www.andymanson.com

Lots of great pictures and information.

[Kerry Krishna]

Two amazing mando family instruments. I have never seen anything like them before, nor did I even know that maple could even LOOK like that... Awe inspiring....

[Jill McAuley]

Oh man, that 3 point looks the absolute business!!! Seriously coveting that thing!

Cheers,
Jill

[Dan Hoover]

very beautiful...i think i'm shaking..

[Charles E.]

On that tri-neck, I wonder if he has seperated the sound chambers inside and-or what the bracing system looks like. It must have been a heck of a design project. On the Mermaid guitar..... well there is nothing I can say other then he has great skill and too much time and a great sense humor.

[Ben Milne]

Definitely one of the most impressive instrument vaults I have seen.

[Shelagh Moore]

I've played a couple of his excellent mandolin family instruments at instrument shows in the past and owned a beautiful 0-style (Kingfisher model) guitar made by him for quite a while. Wonderful craftsmanship.

[Goodin]

Andy can build anything and make it sound fantastic. His 3 and 4 neck instruments amaze me; he must really know how to brace them so they don't implode!

Here is my 5 course bouzouki (Blarge, he calls it, for Bouzouki-large) that Andy built for me last year. It has a deep and powerful presence.

[Fliss]

That blarge of yours is stunning, Gil. Andy's artistry, in my opinion, is second to none. His attention to detail, and his unique quirky style are just wonderful. Oh yes, and a great sense of humour. And I forgot to use the word "genius" - but I think it fits.

Here is a pic of the blarge I used to own, with the parlour guitar Andy made for me:

http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/3130/copyofp1060858.jpg (http://img846.imageshack.us/i/copyofp1060858.jpg/)

Fliss

[mrmando]

Forget the title, but there's a limited-edition book (1,000 signed copies) full of photos of Andy's build process. I think the idea was to document a year in the life of a luthier, or something like that. Thumbed through a copy at Dusty Strings. Not a lot of mando content, but a fantastic book.

[Fliss]

The book is called "Talking Wood" and it's absolutely fascinating. It includes snatches of his poetry and his unique observations and speculation on life, luthiery and all sorts of things! (I have a copy which I bought from him when I got my parlour :) )

Fliss

[Mike Black]

Forget the title, but there's a limited-edition book (1,000 signed copies) full of photos of Andy's build process. I think the idea was to document a year in the life of a luthier, or something like that. Thumbed through a copy at Dusty Strings. Not a lot of mando content, but a fantastic book.

They "DID" have one at Dusty Strings. :) Thanks for the tip!

[Goodin]

Is this book still available??? Thanks for posting Fliss, I always chuckle when I see your guitar, smiling at me ;); it's also nice to see your old zouk, for which I had Andy model mine after! Any other Manson owners on the Cafe??

[Mike Black]

No, it's not available. I've been looking for a few years. Andy told me that there is no intent of reprinting it, but there may be plans in the future to make another book.

[Mike Black]

I asked "Are there any plans on reprinting your book -Talking Wood?"

Andy's response: "Sorry Michael, doesn't look like it. I have a feeling in my bones (what's left of them!) there may be another one festering......"

[Goodin]

I just asked him myself, I'm sure I'll get the same response. He has another 3 pointer mandolin in the works right now. I would post pics but don't know how to get pics from Facebook to here!

[Mike Black]

Here is the 3 pointer in progress right now.

To quote Andy: it's a look at that wood...screaming out for "please make me into a mandolin, it's what the gods spent billions of years evolving me for" kind of moment.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/198841_1769946540247_1586742487_31687237_4779995_n .jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/199788_1771008486795_1586742487_31688678_2222582_n .jpg

[dcoventry]

OK. Honestly, where does he find this wood. My God, it's all so beautiful and well matched. Double dang!

[Mike Black]

One detail that I really like is how he sets the willow linings into the blocks.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/205599_1776873513417_1586742487_31699702_2714588_n .jpg

[Ron McMillan]

I adore the workmanship and finish of his 'traditional' instruments as much as I detest the visual masturbation of the triple-neck monstrosity. But fair play to Andy, as he has attracted the patronage of rock millionaires who can pay for such things from their pocket change.

[dcoventry]

" I detest the visual masturbation of the triple-neck monstrosity."

Woody Allen says, "At least masturbation is sex with someone you love".

Dang, those mandos are beautiful, even the triple neck one. I would take that one if I absolutely had to! Anyone who can craft would into such beauty has my utmost respect and thanks.

Can I have one, please?

[djidaho]

Andy's work fits in with the recent thread "The mandolin as an "art" object"

[Nonprophet]

He is obviously an incredibly talented and gifted craftsman--what a fun life!

NP

[Mike Black]

FYI...

Andy Manson has just recently updated his website (http://www.andymanson.com/mandolin_family#) with some cool Mandolin Family pictures.


Like these!!

http://www.andymanson.com/img/hugemand9.jpg

http://www.andymanson.com/img/huge3point7.jpg


There is also a section for the John Paul Jones collection (http://www.andymanson.com/the_john_paul_jones_collection)

[Randi Gormley]

Wow. I would never get around to playing something like that. I'd just sit and stare at it all the time!

[Fliss]

Just to stoke the flames of MAS, you don't see these come up for sale very often: Manson mandolin (http://www.mansons.co.uk/shopping/categories/andy-manson-custom-acoustic-guitars/andy-manson-custom/pre-owned-mandolin/)

I hope someone buys it quickly before I find myself giving in to temptation!!!!

Fliss

[almeriastrings]

Gorgeous work and materials... first class all the way.

I see he has recently moved "next door" (Portugal)! Interesting.

[Mike Black]

Here are a few pictures of Andy Manson's latest 3 point mandolin.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/206541_247569121927559_174408405910298_1004700_171 1944_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/283361_247569601927511_174408405910298_1004711_261 0121_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/224491_247569401927531_174408405910298_1004704_540 7494_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/285016_247569208594217_174408405910298_1004701_613 7368_n.jpg

[dcoventry]

My God. It's just so beautiful. This is what the acronym MAS was invented for. Yummy.

[Jill McAuley]

Drop dead gorgeous!!! Envious of whoever that's going home with!!!

Cheers,
Jill

[Marc Woodward]

Drop dead gorgeous!!! Envious of whoever that's going home with!!!

Cheers,
Jill

Meeting Andy next week to have a play... Might have to win the lottery this weekend or rob a bank... 'Your honor, we ask for leniency, our client was addicted to MAS and has promised to attend a recovery program involving banjo players etc'
Marc

Http://www.myspace.com/marcwoodward

[dcoventry]

Yeah, uh, if I were to see one in person, or worse, picked one up to play it.....I'd have a heart attack from running away with it as fast as I could.

Seriously, though, I don't know that I could resist buying one if it were available in person. Money be d@amned, I'd figure it out some how.

[joshua collum]

This view is just stunning too!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/156278_174619305889208_174408405910298_528833_3701 483_n.jpg

It looks like there is a little leaf carving on the top of the small headstaock point...Anyone else see that or is it a illusion...?

[dcoventry]

Uhhhh, I wondering if he finished the inside of the scroll and under the FB extension?;)

[Mike Black]

It looks like there is a little leaf carving on the top of the small headstaock point...Anyone else see that or is it a illusion...?

I think that it's just a sap line in the wood.

[Don Grieser]

Just some stunningly beautiful work. Love that triple neck Page plays in one of the videos on Andy's site, but that 3 point would do just fine for me.

[Mike Black]

Meeting Andy next week to have a play... Might have to win the lottery this weekend or rob a bank... 'Your honor, we ask for leniency, our client was addicted to MAS and has promised to attend a recovery program involving banjo players etc'
Marc

Marc, Gotta let me know how that 3 point sounds an plays. I got a big case of MAS as soon as I found out that it was for sale. :disbelief:

[Fliss]

Marc, Gotta let me know how that 3 point sounds an plays. I got a big case of MAS as soon as I found out that it was for sale. :disbelief:

+1... wow, that is an absolute beauty. Thank goodness I don't play well enough to even attempt to justify buying it!!! Andy's attention to detail is incredible.

Fliss

[Jake Wildwood]

Very cool!

Seeing the 8-string-bass neck makes me kind of think... why has no one done that for a mandobass? That'd be great fun.

[dwne]

There's another interesting Andy Manson creation here on ebay.co.uk (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Manson-twin-neck-acoustic-guitar-mandolin-/180700834275?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2a129be9e3#ht_500wt_949) which someone might like to buy and report back on...

I'm ashamed to say that I was recently in Manson's guitar shop in Exeter, saw the above-linked dark stained mandolin hanging behind the desk and didn't ask to play it.

[Mike Black]

This is a crazy way to make a dovetail.

http://www.guitarbench.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/19-Mandolin-dovetail.jpg

[Mike Black]

Here is an interview with Andy Manson that was just posted if anyone cares to read.

http://www.guitarbench.com/2011/08/03/andy-manson-guitars-luthier-interview/

[crazymandolinist]

That's EXACTLY how I do my dovetails.... Does that make me a genius too?

[Mike Black]

That's EXACTLY how I do my dovetails.... Does that make me a genius too?

I just said that it was a crazy way to do a dovetail, not a genius. Given your handle.... :)

[Marc Woodward]

Mike - you wanted med to let you know how it sounded.... Err, so good I bought it! Fabulous all round!
Marc

[Mike Black]

Congrats Marc!

[crazymandolinist]

I just said that it was a crazy way to do a dovetail, not a genius. Given your handle.... :)

Thass how I roooooooooooooll

;)

[Jill McAuley]

Mike - you wanted med to let you know how it sounded.... Err, so good I bought it! Fabulous all round!
Marc

Lucky, lucky man!! Well done you! Post some sound clips when you get the chance please!!

Cheers,
Jill

[Mike Black]

Lucky, lucky man!! Well done you! Post some sound clips when you get the chance please!!

Cheers,
Jill

Agreed!!! :mandosmiley:

[Marc Woodward]

Ok, here it is: a clip of a tune on my lovely new Manson mandolin.

http://youtu.be/JrL_5HapGqM

Marc

http://www.myspace.com/marcwoodward

http://www.myspace.com/kirkwoodbrowntrio

[Mike Black]

Marc, it truly does sound lovely!!! Thanks for sharing!

[almeriastrings]

Lovely, individual, unique instruments. As others have said, the materials used are jaw-dropping. Lutherie as high art!

Enjoy it... it can only get even better!!

[Ed Goist]

Marc; congratulations! Sounds fantastic.
Those chords in the third minute are just out of this world!

[Fliss]

Fabulous, Marc, thanks for sharing! Count me among those who are turing green with envy!

Fliss

[dcoventry]

What is that mandolin worth? Exactly what you paid for it.

Damn fine. Damn fine. Great playing. That instrument will be a joy for 100 years. At least. What you paid for it seems inconsequential and a good bargain, whatever it was. You have art and joy. 'Nuff said.

Congrats.

[Charles E.]

Marc, that looks and sounds wonderful. I also enjoyed your video " Apple In A Barrel ", very nice work on the Mandocello!

[GarY Nava]

Beautiful mandolin! I’ve enjoyed look at the photos, it’s nice to see/hear Andy’s work in action.
Cheers Gary

[Marc Woodward]

Hi all,
Thanks for your kind comments (-the tunes a bit ropey in places!)..appreciated. Yup, it's a lovely instrument and very different from the F2 I've been playing for the last twenty years (it was time I treated myself to another mandolin...).
Thanks,
Marc
http://www.myspace.com/marcwoodward

[Mike Black]

There is another nice 3 point (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=577118088972659&set=a.577108498973618.1073741831.174408405910298&type=1&relevant_count=1#!/media/set/?set=a.577108498973618.1073741831.174408405910298&type=1)mandolin coming out of Andy's shop soon. No financial interest, his work is just very inspiring for me.

[Marty Jacobson]

Man... that verges on obscene!
Pictures for posterity:
9965899659
(I hope Andy doesn't mind... it's just sad that many of the old pictures in this thread are no longer with us....)

[Perry Babasin]

Man, I think you could shave on that scroll edge... ha,ha,ha - Beautiful work!