Groupings

[danb]

I suppose if botany fascinated me I'd do flower arranging..
L-R
2004 Stephen O Smith, 2003 Lebeda F5pp, 1902 Gibson Mandola, 1903 Gibson F mandolin, 191? Gibson A4, 1923 Gibson A

[danb]

Mandola #3063 (http://www.mandolinarchive.com/gibson/serial/3063), #3263 F Mandolin (http://www.mandolinarchive.com/gibson/serial/3263)

[danb]

3263 F, 71261 Snake, National "Supro" mandolin, 70049 AJr, 2004 Steve O Smith

[danb]

Nugget 91 (http://www.mandolinarchive.com/nugget/serial/91) Loar 76547 (http://www.mandolinarchive.com/gibson/serial/76547)

http://www.mandolinarchive.com/images/91_nugget_and_friend.jpg

[danb]

71261 and 3263

http://www.mandolinarchive.com/goofy/Copy-of-snake_poke.jpg

[mandopete]

Wintergrass 2004....Please don't ask me to list them as I can't honestly remember all of them (too much cerveza).

[mandopete]

Mandogasm 2003...(I might be able to recall all of these). #You may note the "ghostly" image of Bill Monroe in the senter of the picture - really wierd!

[mandopete]

Mandogasm 2004 with a few old guitars (1946 and 1952) and some tasty A's thrown in for good measure.

[Jim Garber]

I haven't gotten around to doing my carved top ones yet, but here are my bowlbacks.

L to R, top row: Harwood, Vega Style 3, Martin Style 6, Pandini, L. Ricca, Washburn 225, Stridente;
Bottom row: C. Biggio, No Name "Boatback", Grauso, American Conservatory mandola, Waldo, No Name Pearl bordered.

[I already posted on the bowlback thread but I suppose it bears repetition]

Jim

[G. Fisher]

Pete, #

I can ID the mandos from the 2004 Wintergrass picture:

L-R #Dave Coleson, Larry Hughes Engleman spruce, Larry Hughes Red spruce, AL Smart, Collings MF5, Flairon Artist, C.E. Ward A5, Lloyd LaPlant, Brentrup Itailan Spruce, Brentrup German spruce, Brentrup prototype oval hole.

[G. Fisher]

Here is a picture from Hans Brentrups a few years ago.



Back row L-R; Brentrup Red spruce, Brentrup Italian spruce, Gilchrist, Gibson Master Model, 23 Loar.

Laying down: Brentrup German spruce, R.L. Givens

[Jim Hilburn]

Here's what my couch looks like some days.
There's my #20 "A", Steven Stone's Wiens, Drew's #30 Hilburn, and A Gilchrist that Steven had on loan.

[Jim Hilburn]

If anyone ever see's Ome #2 that has flower inlay's like the Nugget that Dan posted, what you really have is one of the earliest Nuggets, and was the prototype for Tim O'Brien's. I bet it's still here in Colorado.
One of the great mistakes of my life to sell it because I figured I could just build my own.

[mandopete]

I can ID the mandos from the 2004 Wintergrass picture:
Looks like you didnt get enough beer!

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

[Lane Pryce]

All "yall" are jes mando poor. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif Lp

[Spruce]

A slug of John Sullivans from Wintergrass 2003...

[Spruce]

And a Loar flanked by four of Fletcher Brock's F5s from this year at IBMA....

[SternART]

Hey Dan........what does that awesome looking S.O.Smith mandolin sound like?

[danb]

SternArt: It's a very fine mandolin. Has some of the 'thoonk' like his oval-holed ones do (like the acme in the classifieds!) and quite a fair bit of bluegrass growl too. It's firmly between the genres in tone. VERY loud, and perhaps the nicest most even sounding E string on a mando I've yet played. Chip's a lucky Guy. I took another pile of pictures of it that I'll sort out and post soon.. along with tons of other ones of Steve's stuff!

[David Miller]

Sorry these arent all mandos, but it took me many years, and instruments, to finally see the light. Bass by Peavey, Guitar by Seagull, Violin by Juzek, MANDO by COLLINGS (my fav.), Banjolin by someone in Istambul, Turkey???, and a harp and dulcimer thrown in for good measure. Lets see.... thats... um..... 55 strings by my count..... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Gary S]

How about a couple of snakeheads.Hope I will be able to attach the pic..Gary

[Gary S]

Let me try this again...Gary

[Jim Garber]

Gary:
What year is the A4? Also what is the snakehead guitar? How about some full frontal shots?

Jim

[Gary S]

Hey Jim,
The A-4 is a 1924 with virzi(very sweet sounding not alot of volume,slimmer neck profile). The guitar is a 1923 L-4(nice boomy sound,great old time guitar).I will try to upload another photo..Have a great Thanksgiving...Gary Silverstein

[Jim Garber]

Excellent! A nice pair of Gibsons and they look quite comfortable on your couch. I will try to take some pics of my non-bowlbacks. I am getting a reputation on this board as being only into bowlbacks. Not that there is anything wrong with that...

Jim

[MANDOLINMYSTER]

Heres a few fine examples
1924 A1
1921 A2
1921 F4
hiding in the back row is 84 Dawg

[Darryl Wolfe]

What's with the script on the snake A-1? #A true left handed oriented "The Gibson"?? ..or an optical delusion

[MANDOLINMYSTER]

just an optical delusion. Its one the them stenciled on logos.

[danb]

OK Gary & Michael, I need serial numbers and more photos for the archives!

ps - that includes virzi serial #s and neckbock stamps

[oldwave maker]

friend Judd has a real camera:

[oldwave maker]

works mo' better than my digital instamatic!

[J. Wiens]

Wiens in the middle, a gorgeous Stan Miller on the left ....the same one for sale in the classifieds. Two nice old Gibsons and a Givens Legacy on the far right.

[J. Wiens]

oops ,forgot to attach the pic http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[Jim Garber]

Jamie:
A nice concise collection. I had owned and am somewhat nostalgic for a whitefaced A3 (my first Gibson) and currently own a nice F4. Which one do you turn to first to play?

Jim

[Jim Garber]

Here are my acoustic Gibsons, as promised:

L to R: '23 Ajr; 23 A2(Z); '16 A with aluminum bridge saddle; '24 F4; '37 K1 mandocello

[Jim Garber]

Here are the non-Gibson carved mandolins:

l to r: 1940 Martin 2-15; '83 Flatiron A5-2; '85 Monteleone Grand Artist mandola; '21 Bacon Artist; teens Lyon & Healy A.

Jim

[Darryl Wolfe]

I think I've posted this before..'25 "A" (fully bound though), '23 A2, 1917 A, 1914 A, Lloyd not pictured http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Darryl Wolfe]

jgarber...let's seee some more of that Bacon....that is incredibly cool

[bluesmandolinman]

http://de.geocities.com/bluesmandolinman/IM002615.jpg

Here are 3 Mandolas I once had at the same time ( 2 x H-2 + 1 x H-1)...wished I could keep them all http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[J. Wiens]

Jim...Alas, none of them are mine http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[danb]

Loar, Gilchrist, Master Model.. Brent Truitt's Gil & Master model, posing on thte couch at his Nashville Studio..

[Brian Ray]

Nice... I logged quite a few hours in that studio back in my BM days (Before Mando). I saw it go from slab to studio and even helped paint. Brent's one hell of a mando player. Wish I had picked his brain then... better late than never though. So here's my grouping:

Laura Ratcliff #21, BRW #44 and Rose #10...
http://www.dasspunk.com/brw/group.jpg

[dtb]

some of you guys are truely mando sluts. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[danb]

Double vision..

[danb]

71261 (http://www.mandolinarchive.com/gibson/serial/71261) on left, 72707 (http://www.mandolinarchive.com/gibson/serial/72707) on right.. note the different "bumps" on the peghead for 2 instruments that could almost be brothers..

[danb]

And here are the two boys in duelling pistol formation..

[danb]

One of them has the best tailpiece cover I've ever seen..

[Gavin Baird]

Dan,
Is it an opical allusion or is that tail piece photo engraved?....G

[danb]

It's stamped, just unusually clear. needs a tiny bit more gentle rubbing to get the fingerprints off!

[Jonathan James]

Stunning workmanship!

[MANDOLINMYSTER]

You gotta just love them old Gibson's:cool:

[danb]

Tailpiece covers.. first shot shows a very early and a "pretty early" style "pineapple" cover pair. Note that the stamping is in a different place and angle..

[danb]

Here is the same one from the right on the previous photo (~1904) alongside one from a snakehead (1923).

The stamping on these two are almost eerie in how similar to each other they are

[danb]

Two different shades of green from two 20s cases..

[danb]

A stack of cases (some empty!)

[danb]

'03 and '17 scrolls..

[danb]

Another view..

[danb]

Only one scroll here, but I like the photo!

http://www.mandolinarchive.com/images/26287_scroll_detail_back.jpg

[UKHABU]

Slight pedant point - that's a '16 scroll on the F2

[danb]

From a friend. See if you can guess the maker, or on the obvious Gibsons.. the years..

[mmukav]

Gibson F9------Weber Sage #1------Gibson A9

[Charles Johnson]

Here's a nice Martin mandolin collection:

Back row
20's Ditson A, 17 Bitting Special (maple), 21 Style B, 18 Style A, 48 Style A shade top, 20's Ditson BK (koa), 28 Style AK (koa)

Middle row
15 Style A, 25 Style C, 24 Style E, 14 Style D, 20 Style C, 22 Style B (all Brazilian RW)

Front row
26 Style AA mandola, 36 Style BB mandola (BRW)

[Charles Johnson]

Here's a second shot of just the 5 different grades, A, B, C, D, and E. All are Brazilian rosewood. The A was once owned by Norman Blake.

[Charles Johnson]

My favorite mandolin picture I have taken.

[Jim Garber]

Charles:
Great photos! Are those all yours or ones you have accumulated or just a congregation of them from different owners? I hope you don't mind my asking.

Jim

[danb]

(I'm posting this one for Ken Waltham)

Left to right.
1923 A, 1924 TL, 1923 F5, 1924 F4, 1927 F5,1928 K1, 1929 F5

[mandolooter]

Ken, whats that tenor lute sound like? I love the way those look with the banjo headstock. My tenor guitar has been getting a lot of play time lately leading me to look towards a longer than mando, scale length instrument as my next MIAS purchase...the I standing for instrument and we're all familar with the AS aren't we !!!

[Ken Waltham]

The TL sounds pretty thin to me. Too long of a scale length, with tenor banjo strings.. I don't really see any use for it. I am researching having it converted to a mandola. Notice how the relief around the rim looks so much like that snakehead. I think it would make a fantastic mandola, and would probably sound like a Loar signed H5. The fingerboard is even raised off the top like a style 5! And.. it has the Master Model label.
I just missed buying one with 8 strings... I'd loved to have tried that.

[danb]

Ken, how do you have it strung/tuned? I have done a lot with Irish tenor banjos and tenor guitars- I'd be quite curious to hear how it works out with weightier Irish TB strings, such as

G .052 PB Wound
D .035 PB Wound
A .022 PB Wound
E .012 Plain Steel

That's how I set up my 19-fret Weymann tenor banjo.. My National resonator has

G .047 PB wound
D .035 PB wound
A .023 PB wound
E .013 plain

(The G doesn't need to be as heavy, the E needs a little more to it)

In my opinion most 19-fret tenor banjos sound wrong at CGDA tone-wise, but they pick up a lovely personality with GDAE.

[Darryl Wolfe]

Charles..in your last picture..is the Style E a mandola?...it appears larger.
Great pics by the way...I notice the first one on your site yesterday

[mandolooter]

Ken,
that was kinda my guess too. #Just not enough downward pressure to drive to top to its full poential. I don't know what that would do to the value but I bet it would sound a lot better! #I ended up getting another tenor guitar and am inpatiently waiting its arrival. #Im gonna compare it to my 20's Regal custom-built with curly mahogany back and sides and if the tone is way similar sell the least fav of the two after a month or so. Thanks for the info!

Dan,
Im gonna give those guages a try on my Weymann tenor. I down tuned it to GDAE with the strings on it (GHS tenors I believe) and it wasn't very toneful to my ear. One question tho...is the tension about the same? I'd like to try those guages out on my tenor guitar with the GDAE tuning to recoup some more bottom end outta the thing. Thanks and BTW I finally got around to a more than curtsy look at the Mandolin Archive and wow, what a great site, idea and all! Thanks for the work and efforts of ALL involved, thats just a great treasure to be able to view in such an organized fashion the evolving of the mandolin to its current state!
Jeff
Jeff

[Ken Waltham]

Where's a good spot to order some of those strings? I can do that and just try it before doing anything.
However, I do feel that with a body identical to the one and only mando/viola, this thing is dying to be something more than a TL that nobody knows what to do with... even when they were new.
I do appreciate the advice, however, and the more we talk about this the better. I've had it quite some time without doing anything with it, because of the rareness of the item.

[danb]

Ken- you should be able to pick those up single gauges from a guitar shop, or mail order from Elderly or numerous others.. I've bought from elderly and several other online shops over the years.

As you say, worth a shot!

[danb]

Mandolooter- mine is a fairly heavy set of gauges. Search google for the "string tension calculator" if you want to noodle with the variables or notes you produce.. I used that to get my various 10-string zooks working properly

[Jim Garber]

The gauges a friend recommended for a short-scale (17 fret) tenor banjo in ocatve mando tuning:

.011 .016 .028 .038

Jim

[mandolooter]

I'll do that string calc. search, probably should've even thought of that my self since I've been wanting to give it a go for quite a while now. #I don't worry too much about the Weymann banjo, its a tank, but the tenor guitar is old and I don't wanna damage it doing something dumb. #I have tuned it down to GDAE with the current guages on it and it sounds pretty decent but the G is kinda floppy feelin and it'll buzz some. #I like quite a bit of resistance if I can get it cuz I'll hit em pretty hard once I get going. #Thanks for info and I'll try to ooze outta here before everyone thinks Im hijacking this thread...what we need are some more grouping shots!
Jeff

[Scott Tichenor]

Playing around with my new camera a bit. L-R: 2004 Gibson Varnish Fern, 2002 Collings MF5 #3, 2004 Brentrup 23V, 2001 Nugget Deluxe #233. These will not be appearing on the classifieds.

[JimW]

Scott,

That Gibson varnished Fern is the only one with a pick in the strings. I assume it's getting the most play time? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif


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

[Scott Tichenor]

Flip side

[JimW]

All very beautiful, but that Nugget, man, it has it all. That is also the very best sounding mandolin I've ever heard, although it has only been via recordings, but hopefully I'll get to hear it live this year at MandoFest 2005. All nice mandolins though Scott.

Jim

[Scott Tichenor]

That Gibson varnished Fern is the only one with a pick in the strings. I assume it's getting the most play time?
It was definitely getting played that day. I rotate the cases every time I put them away for the night. Used to leave one in the stand all the time but I don't trust my new dog and not willing to find out if she'd like to chew on the face of one of them--likely. These mandolins are all as different as can be and I love that about them. As Mike Compton says, life is good.

[jasona]

Scott: I'd love to hear your opinions on how they differ. Man, what a stable!

[Professor PT]

All I can say is damn you Tichenor, damn you! Must you own one of every great mandolin ever made? What's next, a Loar?

[Scott Tichenor]

What's next, a Loar?
Will Kimble F that's been on order for awhile.

[grandmainger]

What's next, a Loar?
Will Kimble F that's been on order for awhile.
That's it, I'm officially depressed.

[Jonathan James]

Scott, now you just need a Dudenbostal, Gilchrist, Wiens, Randy Wood, and Monty to fill the stable and your work will be done. Keep us posted!

[mandopete]

I rotate the cases every time I put them away for the night.
Interesting idea....I have been pondering this a bit myself (having 4 mandolins as well). #I have been concerned about letting them "just sit around" and this sounds like a good idea.

With that said I got the Flatiron and Smart mandos out of the closet this weekend and discovered they were a bit dull, most of which I attribute to needing new strings.

This reminds me a bit of a major-league baseball team and it's pitching staff - now all I need is a good closer!

BTW - nice pictures too!

[Tim]

Scott, now you just need a Dudenbostal, Gilchrist, Wiens, Randy Wood, and Monty to fill the stable and your work will be done. Keep us posted!
...and a BRW # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[Jonathan James]

oh yeah, my bad.

[mandopete]

Playing around with my new camera a bit. L-R: 2002 Collings MF-5R #39, 1995 Flatiron F5-SB, 1997 Lawrence Smart F-5 #80, 2003 Fletcher Brock A Oval #51. These will not be appearing on the classifieds.

[mandopete]

Flip side

[mandopete]

New Nikon D70 digital camera and yes, I am just learing how to use it. #Photo's were indoor using the built in flash so colors are not as nice as Scott's photo's. #I notice that the curved lines look pretty jagged. #Looks like it's Digital Photography for Dummies for this Mandopete.

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

[mandopete]

...another grouping that could possibly benefit from daily rotation:

[Hans]

My personal stash plus one.
Mark's 23V red spruce, 23V German, 23V Italian, 22V, 22C
'21 F-4 Cremona Brown, 23V red spruce (in the white)
'14 A-4, '16 A-4, 21V, 20V, 21V, L21V

[Darryl Wolfe]

I believe this has been posted before, but it's still one of the best "goupings" ever. #Can you say about $1,000,000 not including the A-5??

[Jonathan James]

Holy smokes!

[Tim Saxton]

That's it. I quit! I am selling every gutitar and mandolin. I never want to play again. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

Sure.

Tim Saxton

Mas is starting to set in.......must.....not.....reach....for......wallet ...

[eightstrings]

Scott- If I'm ever in Kansas, lock your doors and windows http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

Brett

[mandopete]

I believe this has been posted before, but it's still one of the best "goupings" ever. #Can you say about $1,000,000 not including the A-5??
That's Not Fair - I'm Crying Foul, Foul I Say!

[acousticphd]

[/QUOTE]I believe this has been posted before, but it's still one of the best "goupings" ever. #Can you say about $1,000,000 not including the A-5?? [QUOTE]

I can not say it. But I imagine I could retire on the right half of the bottom row.
The A5 I would deign to play.

[fatt-dad]

Hard to follow the Loars, but here goes. . . . . My Keepers

[fatt-dad]

Oh yeah the descriptions - Top to bottom, left to right:
Alvarez "hand-made" two point, Japanese KM-250 with Fishman pickup, "distressed" Ibanez, Aria M-300, pre-Gibson 1N, 1920 A3, Stiver A and pre-Gibson Flatiron A5-1

[Jim Hilburn]

Any guess as to what the Loar A is worth? Of course the answer is whatever someone would pay for it, so if it did come up for sale...

[Crowder]

Playing around with my new camera a bit. L-R: 2004 Gibson Varnish Fern, 2002 Collings MF5 #3, 2004 Brentrup 23V, 2001 Nugget Deluxe #233. These will not be appearing on the classifieds.
All four makers are Cafe advertisers. Hey, you deserve it!!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[Darryl Wolfe]

Loar A-5 value...very very hard to say..there may be someone out there willing to go one of a kind pricing (like 250,000)..but I would realistically guess that it would only bring a moderate premium..say 40-50,000 above market

[Jim Hilburn]

By above market, do you mean the Loar F-5 market?

[Darryl Wolfe]

Yes..the Loar F5 market..of course this is just my guess/opinion. I'm referring to over the $110k-$135k market that exists now....meaning..It could bring $200k or more, but I personally think over $140-160k could be a real stretch.

When it last sold, it brought about a 15% premium...at that time there was still a "yes it's a Loar, but it's an A-model not an F". Just like we see on this message board all the time.

[acousticphd]

Hard to follow the Loars, but here goes. . . . . My Keepers


Thanks for that, papa gordo. We need more examples of the the Common Man Keeper Grouping (CMKG) too.

[Flowerpot]

Great pictures, all. Incredibly nice axes.

Scott T, I'd still like to hear your descriptions of the differences in tone between the Fern, Collings, Brent, and Nugget. If you get the chance. I think I remember the Nugget is Red Spruce and the Brentrup is German... are they all different tone woods?

[fatt-dad]

Continuing. . . . .

Here is a photo I call, "Gibamazoo" circa 1930. To the left an L-00 and the right a KM-11. Is there any doubt that these were made at the same place?

f-d

[berkeleymando]

Here's my small instrument family. Arches walnut A mandolin, Kevin Schwab 4 string electric mandolin (Koa/Mahogony/Maple), and a Peter Howlett 'Island Koa' soprano uke.

[mandroid]

Professor Peabody and his boy Sherman dial the 'wayback machine' to 1924... mr. Loar?, http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Steve Stahl]

Here are the two mandolins I have built. The blonde (#1) was completed in 2002. I have been staining, varnishing, stripping, and re-varnishing on #2 since May 2004. It is still a bit rough around the f-holes, but I think I will stop here as I hate sanding through the stain into bare wood.

[Steve Stahl]

And here is the frontal view:

[Jonathan James]

Very, very nice.

[Darryl Wolfe]

nice stuff Gary

[resonant68]

I tried to post a pic but it will not let me...(?)
How do I?

[resonant68]

Fatt-Dad learned me how....thanks FD.
Here goes.

[resonant68]

From left to right,top to bottom.....
The "David" F5
A two point I built myself
Don Kawalek celtic style I built myself
Freshwater celtic
Old Cecho Slavacian Fiddle
Bowl Back(probably Montgomery Ward early 1920's)(?)and.....
Stew Mac A model I built myself.

[fmspinc]

heres my group

[fmspinc]

Another group ( sorry for the large pix - this sizing business still a mystery to me ..

[fatt-dad]

fmspink - what are we looking at?

F-D

[fmspinc]

Group 1: 1975 D-18 purchused new by moi; 1918 A - been in many hands I expect; 2000 Stinnett (love this one) and a '54 tenor.

Group 2: The D-18, the tenor and a 1990 000-28 SO (limited run Sing Out magazine edition).

[f5joe]

Here are my three Eastmans: MD-615 mando, AR-616 archback jumbo, AR-810CE 17" archtop.

http://www.lilypix.com/photos/data/1f0e3dad99908345f7439f8ffabdffc4/76_p40044.jpg

[EastmanGordon]

Joe,
you are cut off, no more Eastmans! Leave some for everyone else!
Gordon

[f5joe]

OK, but just for today! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Patrick Gunning]

Paul Lestock's octave-mando-cello grouping. My G-style mando will be delivered at Wintergrass

[f5joe]

Gunning, extra nice!

[Flowerpot]

Wow, Gunning, that is too cool. That's gotta be one of the best non-traditional designs I've ever seen. Hope I get a chance to see your new one at Wintergrass.

[G_Smolt]

At MandoPete's urging, I bring you the family...
(I deleted a previous pic for this new, updated one)

Playing around with my new camera a bit. L-R: '23 Loar, '24 Loar w/virzi, Loar A-5...






Just kidding.

L-R: 1998 Dave Coleson F #16, 2002 Mike Blohm "The Laurel" #3, 1988 CE Ward "The Gibson" A-5 copy, 2000 Larry Hughes F #20, 2001 Larry Hughes F #22. "These will not be appearing on the classifieds"...

[danb]

Any color you like as long as it's brown..

one from my friend Chipper. My snakehead, Mandola, Ajr

[danb]

Hmm.. needs more scrolls.. same mandos + style O and an F2

[kneauxdn]

My modest little collection, sorry I could not get
all of them in the picture. Mostly old Gibson stuff. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[mandoman15]

i hate you....will you be my friend?

[kneauxdn]

You can be my friend if you show me how to tune
these darn things!

[Tim Saxton]

I think i'm going to go kill my self now http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[mmukav]

kneauxdn,

We at the Mandolin Cafe salute you!

And may we all use your picture as an example of how many mandolins we each SHOULD own? (to show our wives that too many is never TOO many!)

[Jonathan James]

Dang. It would hard to figure out which one you haven't played in the last few months...

[AlanN]

Ken, you beat me to it. That's from IBMA about 5 years ago. The middle one standing up in the case on the right is for sale.

[Jim Garber]

Wow... G_Smolt! How dod you sneak into my house and photograph your mandolins on my futon couch? (posted earlier on page two of this thread)

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/uploads/post-15-97334-gibsons_sm.jpg

Jim

[kneauxdn]

Alan
I knew somebody would expose me soon enough.
Actually the date is on the pic if you look cose
enough.
I think about 39 Loar signed instruments were
gathered there with some well known owners.
What a blast it was!

[MANDOLINMYSTER]

Heres a few of my favorites..
22 A4, 21 F4, #84 DAWG.

[Scotti Adams]

Myster..thats just too sweet...quite a harem...

[Brier]

My three sons.

[Flowerpot]

So what are those three, and what kind of white bridges are those?

I like the fingerboard truncation on the rightmost one.

[G. Fisher]

My trio,

LaPlant #106, LaPlant #6, Brentrup 23V

[mandopete]

Greg,

Looks like you're cuttin' back!

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

[G. Fisher]

Hey Pete,

I forgot to put my Yellowstone prototype in the picture. I also have a couple of mandos in the process of being completed.

By the way I still have that saddle for your Flatiron. So, you will finally get it a Wintergrass.

[zoukboy]

Wow! There's a whole lot of cluster pluckin' goin' on around here!!

[Brier]

Flowerpot,
The mandos are my first three. The bridges are solid maple one's from info on the Red Henry site.
Peter.

[Django Fret]

Here are mine at this point...

[jasona]

Django...you got it BAD http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Django Fret]

Django...you got it BAD http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
..and that ain't good!

[danb]

Django- is your 3-pointer a Gibson? Do I have it in the archives? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Jim Garber]

Django Fret:
It looks like you have a nice upperend inlaid pickguard Vega cylinder back. it that a rosewood or maple backed one? How is the top on that? In good shape?

Jim

[acousticphd]

Do I see a 4-string lap-steel "mando"http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

And I particularly like the the through-the-body, all-in-one f hole/tote grip on the solid body electric, too.

[Tiderider]

Here's my current group...down to one mando...Oh the possibilities!!!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Leehttp://images.andale.com/f2/121/114/6565467/1108360005677_gouping.jpg

[delsbrother]

Django -

Hodson, Aylward, Dupont, or none of the above?

[Django Fret]

Django- is your 3-pointer a Gibson? Do I have it in the archives? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Hi Dan, yes you already have it listed in the Archive and it is number 9402. If you would like more pictures of it or any other information that I can send about it, please let me know.

Pictures can't begin to describe how wonderful this mandolin sounds, even though it might not be perfect in appearance.

I consider myself very fortunate to have it now.

[Django Fret]

Django Fret:
It looks like you have a nice upperend inlaid pickguard Vega cylinder back. it that a rosewood or maple backed one? How is the top on that? In good shape?

Jim
Hi Jim,

As far as I can tell, it has a nice tiger maple back. I'll try to post a picture of it in the "Show me your backside" thread when I can.

The top was in pretty bad shape when I saw it, and had sunk under the pickguard. Apparently the top brace had collapsed and someone did a really terrible repair job on it in the past using some kind of epoxy on the brace. I took it to Jim DeCava who was able to resurrect it, but he told me that it was quite a job getting the old glue removed in order to repair it properly.

Jim certainly did a fantastic job with the repair, and I don't think I have ever played a mandolin with as much tone that this one has, especially at the bottom end. He gave me a very accurate assesment of this mandolin before I decided to buy it. I am very greatful for what he did to bring it back to life again.

[Django Fret]

Do I see a 4-string lap-steel "mando"http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

And I particularly like the the through-the-body, all-in-one f hole/tote grip on the solid body electric, too.
I too am surprised that more builders don't see the practicality and functionality of this feature!

[Django Fret]

Django -

Hodson, Aylward, Dupont, or none of the above?
Yes, delsbrother, there is a Hodson Djangolin in there, but I'm not sure about the others that you mentioned.

[delsbrother]

Thanks - I was asking whether the Selmer-esque mando was one of those three makers' (they all make 'em), or some new maker I hadn't heard of yet. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Don Grieser]

Here's a couch full o' mandos for your visual pleasure. Left to right: Gilchrist, Loar, Heiden, Smart, Smart, Summit, Givens.

[Ted Eschliman]

A rabble of Rigels:


http://members.aol.com/teesch/images/rigelcropmc.jpg


(and a purty girl...)

[danb]

Three from John West (dang the focus!)

Love those Rigels mandohack.

[newbreedbrian]

'suppose ill have a go at this.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/newbreedbrian/ebay019.jpg

[Jim Garber]

newbreedbrian:
I like that Rickenbacker 4 string bass mandolin http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

What brand is that fhole A?

Jim

[newbreedbrian]

its an 82 Taggart

[G. Fisher]

Two Neil Dean mandos from wintergrass.

[G. Fisher]

Front.

[Spencer]

Here's my brood, top to bottom:
1977 Harmony
1996 Novotny (Czech Republic)
1999 Flatbush A4.
Spencer

[bones12]

Here are mine I keep in constant rotation ( I hope the image follows):Top row Left to Right--1920 H4, 1923 F4, 1924 F4/5,1924 F2,1923 A4, 1924 A4 snakehead. Bottom row Left to Right-- 1988 F5L, 2003 Collings MF5H,2004 Sawchyn O2C, Rose F4, MK Legacy 0 (for bad weather outdoors), Fender 1958 mandocaster (for big fun).If photo fails, I'll try again. They all have great personalities. Doug

[Jim Garber]

bones12:
Super nice collection. For some reason I ahve a feeling that you lean toward the oval holes...

BTW what is your 1924 F4/5? Was it a Loar converted to an oval hole? Sort of reverse engineering:)

Jim

[danb]

Nice top row there bones, do I have them in the archives ?? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[bones12]

Jim, the F4/5 is a raised fingerboard version of the F4 and not a conversion--just a nifty Gibson odd variation. It plays like a dream. Doug

[bones12]

Dan, No none of my mandolins are in the archives. I have a lot of pictures of them, serial numbers, etc. Would you like to have them in the archives? If so, do I just follow the directions at your site? The photo I posted is not very clear but the other non-downsized ones are really clear. Oh yeah, I do like oval holes and I love old-time music. The Skillet Lickers , for me,sit at the pearly gates even though the mandolin wasn't always front and center. By the way the Archives are nice. Thanks, Doug

[G. Fisher]

LaPlant backs

[G. Fisher]

LaPlants front.

[Kent Barnes]

My current herd:
L-R #Harlan #1, Harlan #2, Harlan #3, Kentucky KM-1000

http://www.kentium.net/mandolin/mandolincafe/4mandolins.jpg

[Bob Sayers]

Here are mine: 2003 Gibson "Wayne Benson" model and 2001 Martin "George Nakashima" model guitar. The chair is by George Nakashima, too.

Bob

[Bob Sayers]

My other pair: #2004 Gibson Varnish Fern and 2000 Martin 000-28EC. #Bench by Mira Nakashima.

Bob

[Joe Parker]

'52 Martin D18 and '04 Gibson Master Model

JPP

[Jonathan James]

Beautiful stuff, guys! Love the guitar/mandolin pairings.

[Scotti Adams]

left to right #1991 Martin custom D28 #13 of 23 made, Brazilian Rosewood #1993 Martin D42 MArtin#1935 Herringbone #1997 Martin DR #Rose Mando #11 #some Banjolin thingy..can anyone ID it? #1986 Englehart bass

[mandopete]

I like Bob's variation on a theme and now we have...

Post a Picture of Your Favorite Mandolin, Guitar and Bluegrass Poster

2001 Martin D-18V
2002 Collings MF-5R
1989 Father of Bluegrass Music

[Bob Sayers]

Thanks, Mandopete. #I'm happy I started something a little different. #By the way, my "graphic" is an original concert poster from a Flatt & Scruggs appearance at the University of Illinois in 1963 or 1964. "Old school," as they say. (Also my old school!)

Bob

[Mando4Life]

Scotti,

That pic reminds me of something you'd like to see on X-mas morning. Nice selection. That 35 Bone looks near mint.

Hope the arm is doing OK.

WBL

[Scotti Adams]

..oh yea..I spent many a morning by that fireplace on Christmas morns..back before it had the insert..ahhh..the memories....the 35 Bone is about as mint as you can get....good eye Wayne.....the arm is slowly but surley coming along....gaining strength in my hand more and more every day...thanks for the thoughtfulness...

[garryh]

Here's mine.....
'23 F4, '21 F2, '03 MM, '04 BRW

[garryh]

...And the backs

[Billiam]

Mama don't allow no guitar playin' round here, but since we're posting other instruments, here's my Weber Hyalite with my two ukeleles, a Ukebrand concert on the left, and a Ko'aloha concert on the right.

Until I placed them together, I had never noticed that the Ko'aloha hole is a smaller version of the Weber D hole turned upside down!

The bench is from Orchard Hardware - hardly a Nakashima! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[mandoman15]

You can be my friend if you show me how to tune
these darn things!
hmm, GG DD AA EE for most of them...

[Mando4Life]

my humble batch of instruments... July 10, 2002 Weber Yellowstone and a 2000 Larrivee D-3R...

[Mando4Life]

here's one I'd like to add to my batch...but couldn't do it justice in the playing department....my brother's HD-28V...

[Scotti Adams]

..sweet stuff Wayne...

[dstretch]

Here's My Aniane #1 in the white, and My Taylor.

[Baron Collins-Hill]

im up to 3, here they are...

now all i need is a phoenix
(ill trade anyone my fender)

[Baron Collins-Hill]

Backs
(the phoenix offer still holds)

[danb]

Here're my boys, all up in London for some recording..

Orange one is a 1902/1903 F2, '22 snakehead in brown, 2001 lebeda premium plus, and a 1915 10-string cylinderback in front..

[Jim Garber]

Here're my boys, all up in London for some recording..
You got you there a nice set of strappin' lads, there, Danny!

Is that 3-point really that orange?

Jim

[danb]

Not really, the true color doesn't come out great in photos.. That shot is under some kinda strange lights we have in the apartment too

This is a little closer on the color but still not quite right..

http://www.mandolinarchive.com/images/3_point_scroll_top.jpg

[mandopete]

Not exactly a mandolin grouping, but this one just looks so classy!

[Darryl Wolfe]

Where/who is that collection Pete

[mandopete]

It's from the First Quality Music website. It's called "The Vault"...

"First Quality is proud to present a selection of rare and, in many cases, one-of-a-kind pieces for the serious collector of fine instruments. Some are available for immediate delivery; others are in production and available for preorder. Qualified purchasers may request a private showing of any in-stock instrument at our showroom in Louisville, Kentucky."

Pretty incredible list of high end Martin guitars in that humidor!

[Mando4Life]

That room has the limited Martins, custom Martins, custom Collings, DMM, Cherry MM, etc. It bascially houses the high, high $$$ instruments. My brother stopped by there last week while in town and said they have some real nice pieces on display.

WBL

[oldwave maker]

Adoption papers signed, these siblings are heading out later today for new homes, new tunes, hopefully some payin', not pain, gigs. unfinished bass furniture behind, almost ready for shellac bath

[Jonathan James]

Sweet foursome Bill!

[JD Cowles]

geez, those are real purdy bill. one of these days...

[keithd]

Stunning mandolins Bill - wow. What's the top wood on the third from left?

Thanks,

Keith

[PaulD]

Those are sweet, Bill! What's the top on the 3rd from the left, or is it 2nd from the right... guess it depends on your politics? Redwood?

That "bass furniture" looks like it's going to light up under shellac too...

Paul Doubek

[oldwave maker]

thanks, from the left, Ukranian spruce, western red cedar(the 1880's telegraph pole), curly redwood, adirondack red spruce. All topwoods thanks to Bruce Harvie except the cedar which I got from Peter White (who helped Peter O make that first mando) who got it #from David Birkedahl when he died a quarter century ago. David got it from his grandfather who had been a lineman in wyoming.

[Lee]

Bill, did you make the bass too, or just doing the shellac for someone??

[stevem]

Ok, not the world's greatest instruments, and only 1 mando, but I still love em'. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif #My four amigos.

1)Ruby 2)'36 Martin 0-17, '96 Flatiron A, '97 Martin D-1

[keithd]

Steve - they look pretty darned good to me, especially the Martin 0-17 and the white face.

Bill - the redwood top is really cool; if it's not burl, how do you cut the board to get the curl? I love the rakish angle to the grain, too. I looked (listened?) to your excellent soundpage (http://www.zianet.com/bussmann/sound.html) but didn't see (or hear) any redwood tops there. Being in Northern California, it has special appeal...

Keith

[ShaneJ]

Hey Steve, you ought to try to talk Bill out of the "dog house" for the white lab! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[Mandopickr]

Don't y'all wish you had one of these in your backyard?

[Mandopickr]

Note the one on the left thats not ripe....the rest are ready to pick.

[oldwave maker]

Keith- you'd have to ask Spruce about the curly redwood, I think he said he salvaged it from the reject pile at a shingle factory, quartersawn for sure.
Lee- I traded a watermelon for the last unfinished Birkedahl bass body, made shortly before he passed away. I attached a neck I had originally built years ago for the elvis bass. Sprayed homestead premixed dark shellac diluted to a 2# cut, added a touch of red mahogany and dark maple transtint to red up the mix and some of the homestead shellacwet flowout additive (thanks for the tip, Mr Brock). Used my new porter-cable hvlp gravity-feed gun, works great, and I wont even bother to rub it out.
Heres the result, with Dons birdseye, Bobs blacktop, and the free-range goldtop to add spice.
yes, thats a painted-toenail sandal-shod endpin prosthesis....

[mandoryan]

Very cool Bill! I love the black top and the gold face mandos. Heck, they're all awesome looking.

[Scotti Adams]

..very nice guys..everything looks real good...I esp. Like Bills bass with the shoe sticking out at the bottom...

[neal]

The mandolins, of course, love 'em all. But Stevem's 0-17 brings out a sweat on my forehead and a longing in my heart. Love those small bodies. Steve, I've got a '37 00-17 at the mechanics, can't wait for it's return. It's not as nice looking as your's though.

[Yonkle]

Not a real big grouping, but I made all 4.
Here is "JD" #1 A5, #2 F5 #3 F5 and #4 F4

[Yonkle]

Frontal view: May sell #1 and #3 ALL Shellac Finish

[ShaneJ]

JD, those are truly beautiful mandos. I really like the color and finish - said it before. Why didn't you just sit them down in the grass and lean them on the stone? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[WireBoy]

why? the stone and grass look a bit damp to me.

[Yonkle]

[QUOTE]Why didn't you just sit them down in the grass and lean them on the stone?
Good Idea Jennings, that could give them that "vintage" look! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
Yes it was a bit damp, just after it rained the sun came out and the lighting was pretty good. JD

[danb]

'03, '17, '22

[Michael Gowell]

Dan - I was surprised to see that your '03 has no inlaid pickguard - every Gibson mandolin before about '08 that I've ever seen has an inlaid pickguard. #What's the story?

[danb]

The one the number after it is owned by a friend, also no inlaid guard. Mine's probably refinished (maybe by gibson circa 1910), his definitely is not.. it's an interesting batch, quite possibly the first with recurved tops too. I suspect it was one of the first batches of instruments where they went from hollow neck (no neck block) design to the bent-sides + neck block design. Why that meant no inlaid pickguard though, that's a mystery. At some point in it's life it had a clamp style guard (probably 1910 hardware again, only one clamp scar). Darryl's made another one for me that I keep tyring to talk him into shipping over http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

The tuners (handels) have stubby little posts, and stamping on the plates that match other old ones.. the tailpiece cover has a hole in it like others around the same serial number.. the case is odd in that there is no accessory pocket or "feet" on the back side of it, but it's definitely original.

Here's A model 3264 (http://www.mandolinarchive.com/perl/show_mando.pl?3243), also with no inlaid guard. a few before it *does* have one, a few after does as well. Mandola 3063 (http://www.mandolinarchive.com/perl/show_mando.pl?2890) is owned by a friend, and is a hollow-neck.

More datapoints eagerly sought http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[danb]

6...

[mandoman15]

nice grouping dan, what maker/year on theat cyllinder back??? looking good.

[danb]

1917 vega 10-string.. you can actually see "Vega" in the soundhole in the picture http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[JEStanek]

Where does he get all those wonderful toys?
-Jack Nicholson as the Joker in Batman (1989)

[mandoman15]

Where does he get all those wonderful toys?
well being a super administrator has its perks... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[danb]

Actually the current fleet has reached naval sizes as I'm finishing up a CD.. those aren't all mine!

Big changes a-comin' as the Catch-and-Release Mandolin truck keeps on drivin'

[mandoman15]

which one's your favorite mando...i know they're all different styles but what do like best about your grouping...

[danb]

The snakehead is the best all-rounder.. the red/orange-ish f4 is the mellowist.. the 3-point has the most snap to it..

[mandoman15]

i was at a phishphans dwelling last night and we had all the mando's out we didn't get a pic because the camera was dead but here's the list
2003 gibson a-9
95 johnson f
1891 washburn bowlback
2005 campfire
fender fm62se
irish tenor banjo
weber sweet pea

we just sat around staring at them and took our time deciding which mandolin to play...MAS is such a wonderful disease http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Darryl Wolfe]

Here's an interesting shot I took this weekend

Weymann model 25, Orme Howe and Weymann Model 20

[Darryl Wolfe]

and another

[Darryl Wolfe]

Here's another

[mandopete]

What, no scrolls?

[Bob DeVellis]

Darryl - Er, ah, that's "Howe-Orme." It's looking fantastic, by the way, as are all the others. Great shots, too. As long as things re getting around to Howe-Ormes, I'll submit this one of my mandolin and mandola:

[Darryl Wolfe]

Fabulous Bob..thanks for the correction...I dont read the label much..ha


I love these/those things..I snagged what appears to be an off brand knock off on ebay yesterday http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[olgraypat]

Very cool looking. For the unitiated, how about some description or explanation about the Howe-Orme? It indeed looks like a "little guitar."

[bluesmandolinman]

sometimes the low ends just do fine

Kay - Supertone - Harmony

[Bob DeVellis]

I haven't updated this in ages, but there's information about Howe-Orme here (http://bellsouthpwp.net/r/d/rdevelli/The%20Elias%20Howe%20Co.htm)

[buckhorn]

these ar my first three tries. the first took more than a year. the second took 9mo and the third about 3mo..the first has a fur top and the others are spruce.all are maple everything else. i have 4 others in different stages