Should have my vintage F5 back in couple weeks. I can't wait. Don does some amazing work.
Dons had my RD for a few weeks now and I've been playing my Duff. It's a good mandolin but doesn't really compare to my RD F5. I can't wait to get it back. I'm having a flat finger board put on it.
I have a Vintage (1923 July 9 voiced )Red DIamond no. 251 . what is the voicing of yours & the no.?? I also just bought Johnny Staats Red Diamond standard. Don is doing some work on it for me now.
My mandolin is not voiced after one particular mandolin. Don did a study of several early 20's mandolins and took all the numbers and averaged them out and made the Vintage F5. I love the July 9 voicing. Out of all the differnt voicing the July 9 is my favorite. All his mandolins sound amazing. I'd like to have one of each!!!!!!
Me too!! I can't wait to get the Johnny Staats RD
a friend of mine has a "Crusher voiced " RD for sale a temptation for sure !!!
My good friend Wendy Miller has a Crusher voiced mandolin that is awesome. He also just had Don build him a July 9 mandolin. I havent played that one yet but Wendy tells me it amazing.
Wendy Miller is one serious mandolin player. I remember when he played with Larry Sparks,, Glad he likes Red Diamonds.
Howdy fellas. I have #114 Standard F, #188 Vintage 22 A, and #193 Vintage 24 F. I bought them all used. I am the second owner of #193, the first owner only had it for 6 months. I am the third owner of #188, it most recently belonged to a good friend and mentor that passed away. I am not sure who had #114 before me but I believe it was some one in Pa. I have to say I'm very satisfied with these mandolins. They perform liked what you'd want them to.
Hey Col. George what's the going rate for a used Standard model these days?
I would think around $7500 depending on history & condtion, sound etc .. I must say I have never heard a Red Diamond I didn't like !! How would you compare your RD STd with the Vintage 24 ??
The standard is less brash, it has a warmer tone, very nice but not as loud and in your face. It also has the slightly wider neck and lacquer finish. The maple on it is beautiful, very curly. I feel most at home on the Vintage 24 and 22. They have the headroom available when I really start to dig in and beat them.
The Staats Red Diamond std that I have purchased has a varnish finish.. I am really looking forward to playing it some.. Don & Johnny assure me that it is a great instrument.. It will be interesting to contrast it with the 23 July 9. Don is fitting the work into his busy schedule, so I have to wait a while !!! He is doing some finish repair & re attaching the pick guard
