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Want flat fretboard, at least 1 1/8" nut width. Suggestions?
I'm looking for a mid-upper level mandolin with a flat fretboard and at least 1 1/8" nut width. Gibsons seem to be narrower and everyone else seems to have gone to radiused fretboards. I know I could commission a build, but I usually buy used to get more bang for the buck. Ideas?
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Re: Want flat fretboard, at least 1 1/8" nut width. Suggestions?
Your best bet is probably to put a want add in the classifieds, and also to watch them like a hawk. (I was going to suggest commissioning a build with someone who's building upper tier instruments without quite the name recognition of the usual "big boys/girls)--Skip Kelley comes immediately to mind. But you covered that already). Good luck!
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Re: Want flat fretboard, at least 1 1/8" nut width. Suggestions?
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Re: Want flat fretboard, at least 1 1/8" nut width. Suggestions?
All good suggestions Stevo. Thank you. $19k is pretty high-end for my station in life. Even $7500 and $9000 are stretching it. I used to have a Brentrup oval hole A model that was great, so I am sure those two are worth it; but am I? Then we get to the Buckeye. I'm from Michigan. I also can't play a mandolin that says "Vikings" or "Bears" on it. :) The Kratzer is probably nice, but I'm looking for a bit more than that. I guess I know how Goldilocks felt. The search goes on. Someday, that one that is "just right" will show up. At least, after 30 years of playing, I have finally figured out that I don't like skinny necks or radiused fretboards.
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Re: Want flat fretboard, at least 1 1/8" nut width. Suggestions?
Some of the older Weber mandolins would fit the bill.
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Re: Want flat fretboard, at least 1 1/8" nut width. Suggestions?
So you want more than $1800, less than $7500, are open to A-styles, and prefer used? How about this one?
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/146667#146667
Or, if the scroll is a sticking point, how about this alternative?
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/150822#150822
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Re: Want flat fretboard, at least 1 1/8" nut width. Suggestions?
Brent: I would consider a Kimble A-5 like this one. Mandomutt, for some reason, does not say that it is a flat fretboard nor does he mention the width at the nut, but it looks flat to me in the photos. I would consider Kimbles among the most desirable IMHO.
I have never played one of Skip Kelley's but it might be worth a shot. Or this one.
Or this Gavin Baird?
Or Girouard?
This AL Smart A is on Hold but if not, his are wonderful mandolins. Here is an F-5.
You didn't say you were looking for an oval or F-hole or whether you wanted an A-model or an F-model.
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Re: Want flat fretboard, at least 1 1/8" nut width. Suggestions?
Yes, the Triggs is quite intriguing. That is a real possibility. I know that he has a great reputation.
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Re: Want flat fretboard, at least 1 1/8" nut width. Suggestions?
Kimbles have an outstanding reputation, and I believe that he lives not too far from my brother in southern Ohio. I have a Gibson A-5L, but I think a Kimble would be a significant step up. BTW, I love the L-C. Enough that I'm not feeling a need to keep my '48 0-18. They come and go. I know that you can relate.
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Re: Want flat fretboard, at least 1 1/8" nut width. Suggestions?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
1Yooper
Kimbles have an outstanding reputation, and I believe that he lives not too far from my brother in southern Ohio. I have a Gibson A-5L, but I think a Kimble would be a significant step up. BTW, I love the L-C. Enough that I'm not feeling a need to keep my '48 0-18. They come and go. I know that you can relate.
Absolutely. I still love the mandolin I traded with you. I guess it was a trade made in heaven for both of us. I have played maybe 3 or 4 Kimbles and I don't think you could go wrong with one of Will's. All four I played were ones I would have no problem owning.
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Re: Want flat fretboard, at least 1 1/8" nut width. Suggestions?
You could arrange a trip to Nashville. Between Gruhn's, Carter's, and North American Guitar [formerly Cotten's], you'll have plenty to look at. There's nothing like putting your hands on a bunch of instruments to find out what they sound like and how well they fit your hands.
Or get on the phone and tell them what you are looking for.
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Re: Want flat fretboard, at least 1 1/8" nut width. Suggestions?
Here ya go. If you have the bucks, this D'Angelico would be a sure shot. They (whoever they are) certainly do not make any like these any more.
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Re: Want flat fretboard, at least 1 1/8" nut width. Suggestions?
I believe the nut width on a Gibson Goldrush -- although not fully 1 1/8" -- is slightly wider than 1 1/16".
Perhaps 1 3/32" ??
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Re: Want flat fretboard, at least 1 1/8" nut width. Suggestions?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jim Garber
Brent: I would consider a Kimble A-5 like
this one. Mandomutt, for some reason, does not say that it is a flat fretboard nor does he mention the width at the nut, but it looks flat to me in the photos. I would consider Kimbles among the most desirable IMHO.
Mutt specifies a “radiused Ebony fretboard.”
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Re: Want flat fretboard, at least 1 1/8" nut width. Suggestions?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
pheffernan
Mutt specifies a “radiused Ebony fretboard.”
So sorry... I missed that. Too bad, otherwise that could have been a contender. Oh well...
I think Will makes both flat and radiused. Here is a sold A-5 with flat fretboard on TME site.
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Re: Want flat fretboard, at least 1 1/8" nut width. Suggestions?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jim Garber
He does, but they often have a narrow 1-3/32” nut width like the linked one.
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Re: Want flat fretboard, at least 1 1/8" nut width. Suggestions?
There are a few Duffs out there with flat fingerboards.
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Re: Want flat fretboard, at least 1 1/8" nut width. Suggestions?
You may want to search Bob Page in the classifides on this site or gbase.com. He helped me find a 1 3/16" nut, flat fretboard, f style. Took a while but he was great to deal with. Steve
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Re: Want flat fretboard, at least 1 1/8" nut width. Suggestions?
I will add that teen's Gibson oval hole mandolins have wide nuts and flat boards.
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Re: Want flat fretboard, at least 1 1/8" nut width. Suggestions?
I'd be all over that Gavin Baird F5. They are really exceptional.
Enjoy!
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Re: Want flat fretboard, at least 1 1/8" nut width. Suggestions?
An older Weber Bitterroot, like around 2000-2004
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Re: Want flat fretboard, at least 1 1/8" nut width. Suggestions?
The Kentucky KM-900 posted on the classifieds last night is a great deal. 1 1/8”, no radius.
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/151318#151318
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Re: Want flat fretboard, at least 1 1/8" nut width. Suggestions?
Gibson lists the nut width on a Goldrush as 1 5/64". So more than 1 1/16, but not much.
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Re: Want flat fretboard, at least 1 1/8" nut width. Suggestions?
I'd imagine that for $400 or $500 bucks you could sand the radius out and get a refret?
I'd shoot for a Sam Bush Gibson, but I'm a fan boy!
I'd love one of Hamlett's mandolins!
f-d
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Re: Want flat fretboard, at least 1 1/8" nut width. Suggestions?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
fatt-dad
I'd imagine that for $400 or $500 bucks you could sand the radius out and get a refret?
I'd sure argue against that, though. (1) pull frets, (2) level fetboard, (3)a. level nut & recut slots or (3)b. replace nut with flat top nut & cut slots, (4)a. level saddle and recut for slots & intonation or (4)b. replace saddle, (5) refret fingerboard ...
... and then you may not like the feel of the end result? Better be sure you're starting with a mandolin you already really, really love except for, of course, the radius.
Better to find one built the way you want then play it to see if there's a love affair ahead. IMHO