View Full Version : Joe Foley F-style
deadonkey
May-11-2012, 6:06am
Don't post much but I browse a lot.
I've been keeping an eye open for a new mando to replace my The Loar 700 that I've had.
Found this in a little shop in South Galway I was taken to last weekend, played it there, and it didn't leave my mind so I went back to Galway to get it.
It's a custom order from Joe Foley, 2006, "antique finishing" which is something I'd never thought I'd like but it's a great sounding mando, I love how it plays.
pics:
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c334/deaddonkey/DSC_0876_1200x803.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c334/deaddonkey/DSC_0878_1200x803.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c334/deaddonkey/DSC_0877_1200x803.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c334/deaddonkey/DSC_0880_1200x803.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c334/deaddonkey/DSC_0882_1200x803.jpg
My first real quality instrument... I'm a happy boy.
John
Denny Gies
May-11-2012, 6:58am
Congratulations on the new family member. Have fun with it.
Randi Gormley
May-11-2012, 8:42am
That looks like it has stories to tell (or sing...)
Absolutly love that "seasoned" look
Pete Summers
May-11-2012, 9:49am
Mandolin is nice, but that dog is beautiful. :)
Kevin McELvanney
May-11-2012, 3:38pm
I like it. Wasn't aware Mr Foley made that style of mandolin. I particularly like the antique finish look. That, and the faded leather look of some of the Weber models.
mrmando
May-11-2012, 4:26pm
Yeah, wow. Foley's known for his flattop bouzoukis. That must be a rare beast you've got there.
JeffD
May-11-2012, 10:11pm
If that is the same Joe Foley that makes those great bouzoukis, than that should be a great instrument. It sure looks beautiful.
almeriastrings
May-11-2012, 11:59pm
Very interesting. Never seen one of those before, and I had no idea he'd ever even made one.
Quite a find, I'd say!
dcoventry
May-12-2012, 12:45am
Seriously man, nice looking dog.
the mando is one heckuva good looking hachet, too.
Francis J
May-12-2012, 5:06am
That is a great find, though not a one off as far as I know, certainly a rare one. Joe is a very versatile luthier, and makes all manner of stringed beasts. I'm not a fan of "distressing" instruments at all, but this has a good look I must admit!
deadonkey
May-12-2012, 8:20am
Thanks guys.
Dog is Mags, she's 7 and my best mate and companion. She's a rehomed dog, she was abandoned at 9 months.
Francis, were you at the R&R festival last weekend? I played in Bollard's on Sunday night with Southern Welfare, great festival.
I'm aware of 1 other Foley F style, my housemate studies in Ballyfermot with the guy who owns it. I haven't seen it. What others are you aware of?
The finish is by a guy called Kuros Torkazdeh who is a fiddle maker in Galway. Apparently this mandolin was owned by a collector and there's more or less no fret wear.
It sounds really, really great, it was the mandolin sound I had in my head.
Francis J
May-12-2012, 8:51am
Didn't make any of the gigs at the weekend Deaddonkey, (feels a bit weird calling you that!), work got in the way. Glad you enjoyed it. Hope that mandolin serves you well, I've got two instruments by Joe myself. He plays himself and knows the scene very well He's a great guy. Nice music on your band's website BTW, keep up the good work!
Don't post much but I browse a lot.
I've been keeping an eye open for a new mando to replace my The Loar 700 that I've had.
Found this in a little shop in South Galway I was taken to last weekend, played it there, and it didn't leave my mind so I went back to Galway to get it.
It's a custom order from Joe Foley, 2006, "antique finishing" which is something I'd never thought I'd like but it's a great sounding mando, I love how it plays.
pics:
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c334/deaddonkey/DSC_0876_1200x803.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c334/deaddonkey/DSC_0878_1200x803.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c334/deaddonkey/DSC_0877_1200x803.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c334/deaddonkey/DSC_0880_1200x803.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c334/deaddonkey/DSC_0882_1200x803.jpg
My first real quality instrument... I'm a happy boy.
JohnNice, how does it compare with the Loar 700?
deadonkey
May-12-2012, 4:49pm
The Loar 700 is a good mandolin. I learned almost everything I know on it in the past year. (had a plywood crapbox before that)
I was happy/content with it til I played this, but in all honesty it's a plastic toy in comparison to this. I guess you can't fake real quality.
John
The Loar 700 is a good mandolin. I learned almost everything I know on it in the past year. (had a plywood crapbox before that)
I was happy/content with it til I played this, but in all honesty it's a plastic toy in comparison to this. I guess you can't fake real quality.
JohnFigured that, I had a similar experience. I found the main differences to be the sound and volume. Enjoy.
gerry barry
Oct-26-2012, 10:25am
Hi John, I really enjoyed your gig at the "Kilworth festival weekend "recently,great band
( "High Plains Tradition" were not bad either)
You get a powerful sound out of that Foley F5 . That is the second Foley F5 I heard at a festival this month,
the other one was played by the Mandolin player with "The Tin Box Company" I heard them at the Bruff festival.
The only other Foley F5 I know of, is played by Paul Kelly, it's a black one, he has had it "donkeys years ".
Anyway John I will look out for your Gigs in future. Regards, Gerry Barry, West Wicklow.