Re: I may need to change my next purchase
Originally Posted by Nate Lee
Given a big bag of $$$ I'd go with the Gilchrist hands-down .
I loved all of them but the G had the Gibson-y low-end warmth to my ear while the others seemed on the thin side ( Eastman )but only comparatively . All of them are beauties.
Re: I may need to change my next purchase
I've stopped by the ellis workshop twice to have minor work done on my #197. Both times I got a shop tour and opportunity to speak with Pava and Tom and others on staff. Great experience, really enjoyed it both times, tom is a genius!
Rich
2015 Passernig A5 #76
2016 Pava Pro A5 #197
Re: I may need to change my next purchase
I agree about the Gilchrist sounding the best, but at (at least) 4 to 5 times the price of the others (likely, don't know for sure.) Of the others, I like the Pava A5 player and Collings MT, but since I own one of each my ear may have a preference for that which it is used to. Of course, I would take any of the 5 in a heartbeat.
Re: I may need to change my next purchase
That’s just it. They do produce stellar mandolins, according to owners who post here. I believe them. The f-hole instruments on the table were probably killer. That one oval hole A was disappointing to say the least. If it was going to improve it had a ways to go. This is not a slam. I’m a Gibson owner and have suffered in silence through enough slams. It’s a conundrum. Why not leave that one in Texas?
Mike Snyder
Re: I may need to change my next purchase
I also have visited with Tom Ellis at his shop and he was/is a very cordial and interesting man ! Great photographer too ! I own two Ellis mandolins , a A-5 and a F-5. Both great sounding ! If you are ever in his neighborhood stop by ( make an appointment if you can ) as you will be happy you did ! I also have played on a Pava ( actually a couple ) and while they was very good I still prefer the Ellis as my wife and I could hear a difference between the two makers . I think the real hands on / ears on test is to play a variety of mandolins without looking at the head stock name of the builder first. I think that knowing the builder before playing could influence how you hear it ! I did this at Gruhn's last year and played on Gilchrist's and other high end models and a Wienman F5 was the winner ( to my ears). But, everyone's ears are different !
Re: I may need to change my next purchase
Hi there, first post, long time lurker. I just picked up Pava #288, an Amber Satin A5, my first "good" mandolin (I have an old Kay that I'd pick up every few months just to make sure it still wasn't enjoyable to play). I'm primarily a fiddle player, but have tried out various mandolins over the years so I'm not a complete novice. Tried Eastmans, Kentuckys, Flatirons, Gibson, Weber, Collings, Turkey Creek, and a few other boutique makers I can't remember the names of at the moment - ranging from serviceable to really really good but not quite good enough or way out of my price range. I was leaning towards a Flatiron A5 jr before I picked up the Pava. A bit more than I had intended on spending, but as soon as I played the first chord I had the moment of "this is the one." I've had that feeling twice before - with my wife, and a '64 D-28 (held on to the wife, couldn’t afford the Martin).
Re: I may need to change my next purchase
You do realize the wife has cost you way more than the guitar, don't you?
Silverangel A
Arches F style kit
1913 Gibson A-1
Re: I may need to change my next purchase
True, but the D-28 can't sing or play bass and guitar
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