Which would you choose?

[adda_as]

I am thinking about some mandolins, they are between 3000 and 5000 dollars.. Here are my options so far.

BRW (http://www.brw-instruments.com) the F or the J-16, or San Juan mandolin (http://www.sanjuanmandolins.com), or Rigel (http://www.rigelmandolin.com) CT-110..

listen to the soundclips, etc.. tell me why you would choose it, and so on.. any help appreciated http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[grandmainger]

I'm going to sound like a grumpy old ####, but if I was to buy a mando in that price range, I'd only ask and trust one opinion:
that of my ears.

[John Flynn]

Atle:

You and I have discussed this online at length, so I won't repeat myself.

I will recommend to anyone else who is thinking of responding to this thread to visit Atle's website first and listen to his music. It is beautiful and unique and I think will require tone from a mandolin that would be different than say, someone who plays bluegrass would want. Also, I think it is worth mentioning that Atle is in Norway, so he may have to buy this mando sight unseen.

Atle, as I have said before, good luck in your search and keep up the good work. BTW, I finally did get to listen to that last clip you mentioned. Very nice!
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[grandmainger]

I see. Norway.
Then indeed, you may have to buy blind... But still, I think you may want to consider flying to wherever you can to try as many as possible. There's a shop in Brighton UK that has a major selection of 100+ mandolins (Accoustic Music Company : http://www.theacousticmusicco.co.uk/.
London via Ryanair is quite cheap...

Or NYC, and the mandolinbrothers. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[otterly2k]

I just visited Atle's website and listened to his unique and lovely compositions. I agree with the concept that if it is at all possible to go somewhere that you can play a variety of instruments, that would be worthwhile. I have heard that there is a recent surge of interest in Nordic folk music among young people there, and some really talented mandolin players. I can't imagine that there are NO music stores carrying mandolins!

of course, I could be wrong.

Anyway...Atle... I know this issue has been beaten to death on another thread, but you might consider the Phoenix Neoclassical (if you like a light touch and responsive instrument)... I think this may be very consistent with the type of music you are playing.

I don't have any particular experience to offer with the 3 you've listed above.

good luck, and let us all know what you decide...
KE

[Lee]

Darn, I'm sitting here at work with no headphones. Must wait until later to listen to the sound clips. But from the info gleaned from the above posts I too would consider a Phoenix. #I currently own a BRW and a Phoenix Deluxe. #They are very different animals, both a pinnacle of achievment. However, the Phoenix is unique in ways that I have not found existing in mandolins by any other builder; whereas I can't say that about the BRW. The Deluxe is sorta a half-way point between the NeoClassical and the Bluegrass. It accepts heavy "bridge cable" strings but they aren't my favorite on it. Nevertheless it's remarkably loud even with lighter strings and with a lighter touch. Besides the two-point Phoenix is reminiscent of the Nordic helmet with the two horns, eh?
OK, just heard some of your playing; very very nice! Have you ruled out an oval hole? Old Wave makes a real nice oval hole and the C# body style retains that two-point Nordic look. Or possibly Peter Coombe?

[neal]

I very much enjoyed your music, good luck in your search. #I see you're playing a Morgan Monroe at present? #I don't think you could go wrong with any you have mentioned. #

When I look at a mandolin that's not one of the "usual suspects", like the CT-110 or the J series, or the Phoenix, they scream out that you better have the talent to pull this look off. #I think you could pull it off. # I second the suggestion from Lee, about an oval hole mando, doesn't sound like you have to be heard over any screaming banos http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif #

Here's another one to look at from Rigel, just to confuse and distract further....

the "Q". (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=15;t=19121)

[adda_as]

Thanks for all the feedback http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Well, actually, I do really like the sound of bluegrass mandolin, and I really don't want an oval hole. The phoenix models looks like a good choice, but I will have to listen to some soundclips, atleast. May take a trip to London, if money will let me.. It's hard to afford both a mandolin, and a trip to London, and travelling to my gf in Finland at the same time http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

..time for some tea http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif and searching the internet for audio clips..

[grandmainger]

..time for some tea #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif and searching the internet for audio clips..
Hey, you could get yourself a copy of the mando-tasting CD! Details here... (http://www.mandolincafe.com/archives/mandotasting.html)

Cheapest way to get to listen to:
1. 1942 Loar F-5 ………………….. John Reischman
2. 2001 Heiden F-5………………… John Reischman
3. 2004 Newell A-5 ……………….. Keith Newell
4. 2002 Icicle A-5 …………………. Cliff Sittman
5. 2003 Arrow Jazzbow …………… Paul Lestock
6. 2003 Collings MF-5 ……………. Ken Cartwright
7. 2001 Webber Gallatin F-5 ……… Jim Kelly
8. 2001 Sullivan F-5 ………………. Tom Brisk
9. 1917 Gibson A-3 ………………. Mike Thomas
10. 1924 Loar F-5 ………………… Craig Korth
11. 1979 Givens A-6 ……………… Jeff Bales
12. 2003 Griffin F-5 ………………. Zeke Griffin
13. 1938 Gibson A-40 …………….. Luke Brinkerhoff
14. 2000 Tacoma M-3 …………….. Richard Polf
15. 1982 Monteleone F-5 …………. Arthur Stern
16. 1998 Flatiron A-5 Artist ………. Peter James
17. 2001 Mid Missouri M-2 ………. Bill Thompson
18. 2003 Coombe A-4 …………….. Bill Thompson
19. 1924 Gibson F-4 ………………. Geoff Clarkson
20. 2000 Webber 2YK A …………. Dan Anolik
21 2004 Michael Lewis F-5 ………. Zeke Griffin
22. 2001 Nugget F-5 ……………… Scott Tichenor
23. 1909 Gibson A-1 ……………… John West
24. 2002 Heiden F-5 ………………. Hal Johnson
25. 1903 Gibson A-3 ………………. John West
26. 1996 Gibson F-G ……………… Gary Antonucci
27. 2002 Webber Absaroka A-5 …… Tim Saxton
28. 2002 Collings MT-2H …………. Corbin Smith
29. 1923 Gibson Loar F-5 …………. Duane Boyer
30. 2001 Robert LaPlant F-5 ………. Greg Fisher
31. 2003 Brentrup F-4 ……………... Greg Fisher
32. 1998 Coleson F-5 ……………… Mark Hieronymus
33. 2003 Craig F-5 ………………… Darren Craig
34. 1918 Gibson A-0 ……………… Patrick Gunning
35. 2003 Husky F-5 ……………….. Kurt Glasclar
36. 2003 A. Lawrence Smart F-5…. A. Lawrence Smart
37. 2003 Old Wave A-5 Watermelon Bill Bussman

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

[Scotti Adams]

..go with the J16..you wont be dissapointed. That mandolin will lend itself very well to many genre's of music...its, to put it bluntly, a Beast.

[mtnrose]

Hi Atle,

I do have some experience with San Juan and can highly recommend Bobbie and his instruments. Hes done some repair and set work up for me. Much better than another luthier Ive used in the past and reasonably priced too. But thats not what youre asking about is it? While in his shop about a year ago I played an A5 that was very balanced and responsive, loud and had a unique tone that I really really liked. He was also working on an F4 with a gorgeous back that had me drooling... I kinda dread going back again

What exactly are you looking for in a new mandolin? The ones youre playing in the sound clips sound great to me! I really enjoyed your music. Ill probably be getting a CD.

Becky

[GBG]

I like the BRW-J16 soundclip best. I think this may be what you have in mind, a bluegrass mandolin with a versatile tone. I would also listen to the mando-tasting CD.

[Scotti Adams]

I have played probably every J16 that Ben Wilcox has built..very versatile mando....I would probably have one if I could convince the War Dept.

[futrconslr]

[QUOTE]May take a trip to London, if money will let me.. It's hard to afford both a mandolin, and a trip to London, and travelling to my gf in Finland at the same time....

If only I too could be an international man of mystery.:-)

I played a neo-classical....a great mando with really good tone....not my taste for bluegrass....

[Lefty&French]

Germain : 1. 1942 Loar F-5 ………………….. John Reischman
The Loar war ?
Too much mando tasting ? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Jim M.]

I have a BRW J16 and I heartily recommend it. Very versatile mando, very powerful too. Great volume and tone, and it has an incredible chop if you want to play bluegrass. Ben's finish work is first-rate too.

[Lee]

Go to www.gregboyd.com. #Check out the Arrow "JazzBo 8" Mandolin, by Paul Lestock. It's an arch-top small guitar shape.
"This mandolin is designed for a dedicated jazz player, but has fullness and projection that would make it suitable for a great cross-over instrument into many styles, including bluegrass. Not at all weak. Radim Zenkl has two of these."
It's fun spending somebody else's money http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Patrick Gunning]

Out of those, I'd recommend San Juan. I played an A-style of his at Wintergrass last year that was my favorite mando I played while I was there (including a Loar and Gilchrist).
Personally if I was buying a new mandolin in that range I would get an Arrow G-style. Same maker as the Jazzbo above, but with a punchier tone. It had perfect string-to-string balance, great bass, and has the fastest response of any mandolin I've played. Mine is in the process of being built. I can't wait!

[Lee]

Gunning, where can I find more about the Arrow G-style?

[adda_as]

Good suggestions http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif I guess I will remain unsure until I really play one, and I guess I will want the first one I play, and if I play all of them, I will want all of them. Why can't I just afford to buy all the mandos in the world..? I know none of you mentioned Rigel, but I think I've actually fallen a bit for the Rigel.. you can see a design I made myself here (http://www.mandolingutt.net/rigelred5.jpg).. Thanks for the feedback anyway http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[neal]

Ahh, you romantic, you. It fits. I suggest you go for it, and I can almost guarantee you WILL be happy.

[Brian Ray]

It's a no brainer for me... BRW. YMMV.

[mandolinquent]

Before I played one I just didnt get it, but after playing a Rigel I realized how awesome they are! Having said that, I do not own one. I decided to go with a BRW F style. However, when visiting Ben for the first time I got to play a J-16 and it is what sold me on going with him. I cant lie, the mando was amazing from the start and is seriously opening up and getting so loud after only a few months. Good luck in your search!

[GBG]

After hearing your soundclip, I think you may want a Rigel, and maybe one with an oval hole with a ton of sustain. Based on what I heard, I would not advise buying anything resembling a bluegrass mandolin. # #Good luck in your search.

[Spencer]

As I mentioned in my response to the other thread about Scandinavian mandolin players, Victor Smith is close to Copenhagen. Anthony Hannigan of Hickory Project, who plays a San Juan, also had some very nice things to say about Victor's Flatbush mandolins after playing a few of them last year. It might be worth a trip down here to DK to take a look and listen, its not that far from Stavanger.

Spencer