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Thread: Custom Build Luthiers

  1. #101
    I really look like that soliver's Avatar
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    Default Re: Custom Build Luthiers

    Ha! Missed that!... my bad, lol
    aka: Spencer
    Silverangel Econo A #429
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  2. #102
    Fatally Flawed Bill Kammerzell's Avatar
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    Default Re: Custom Build Luthiers

    Quote Originally Posted by treidm View Post
    Am I allowed to post a URL to a reverb ad and ask you all opinions?
    If you go to the classifieds Mando Mutt has a brand new Silverangel El Toro for sale at a nicely reduced price. He has always gotten right back to me. NFI.
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  3. #103
    Registered User Classicalcomp's Avatar
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    Default Re: Custom Build Luthiers

    I own a franzke mandola. I’ll say the quality is excellent and the guy is really nice also
    (I was) my own teacher and pupil, and thanks to the efforts
    of both, they were not discontented with each other. -- Segovia

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  4. #104
    Registered User treidm's Avatar
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    Default Re: Custom Build Luthiers

    Thanks to all for the great responses and informative reading!

    I have reduced my A-Style choices, so far, to...
    "In no particular order"

    Black
    Pava
    Silverangel
    Girouard
    Sorensen

    Any comments pro or con are still welcome on my choices
    Last edited by treidm; Oct-13-2018 at 3:58am.
    2011 Black A5 (#9) Mandolin
    1952 Gibson A-40N Mandolin
    1924 Gibson TB-1 Trapdoor Tenor Banjo
    1975 Gibson MK-35 Hybrid Braced Dreadnought Guitar
    1993 Washburn M3 SW/TS F-Style Mandolin
    2004 Martin D-16 GT Dreadnought Guitar
    2006 Martin DC-16RGTE AURA Dreadnought Guitar
    1997 Seagull S6 Dreadnought Guitar
    1970's Kay KB-52 5-String Banjo
    1960's Pirles 4-String Tenor Banjo

  5. #105
    formerly Philphool Phil Goodson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Custom Build Luthiers

    Quote Originally Posted by treidm View Post
    If you happen to remember his name, sounds very interesting with carvings and art. would like to see photos of some of his work.
    thanks for all the names, I've jotted them all down.
    Silver Angels are made by Ken Ratcliff in Kentucky.(link)
    Phil

    “Sharps/Flats” “Accidentals”

  6. #106
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Custom Build Luthiers

    Quote Originally Posted by treidm View Post
    Any comments pro or con are still welcome on my choices
    All are fine builders with established reputations. I have never played a Sorensen or a Girouard, but I have owned both a Silverangel and a Pava and still have an oval and a GBOM from Mike Black. Were I in your position, I'd probably buy the used Black A5 from Vintage Mandolin Headquarters and have Mike service it as he's local to you. However, if your primary objectives are "dark and deep" tonality and "bang for your buck" economics, then I would think that Silverangel would be the best match.
    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
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  7. #107
    Registered User treidm's Avatar
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    Default Re: Custom Build Luthiers

    Quote Originally Posted by pheffernan View Post
    Were I in your position, I'd probably buy the used Black A5 from Vintage Mandolin Headquarters and have Mike service it as he's local to you.
    Glad you brought this up...
    Having the maker local would be a major advantage!
    That could outweigh some other thoughts...

    But buying used...
    Hopefully the maker honors warranty past 1st owner to some degree
    Like comes unglued or some big problem because of materials or assembly etc.
    I talked to one that does, but some say to original owner only
    Last edited by treidm; Oct-13-2018 at 11:43am.
    2011 Black A5 (#9) Mandolin
    1952 Gibson A-40N Mandolin
    1924 Gibson TB-1 Trapdoor Tenor Banjo
    1975 Gibson MK-35 Hybrid Braced Dreadnought Guitar
    1993 Washburn M3 SW/TS F-Style Mandolin
    2004 Martin D-16 GT Dreadnought Guitar
    2006 Martin DC-16RGTE AURA Dreadnought Guitar
    1997 Seagull S6 Dreadnought Guitar
    1970's Kay KB-52 5-String Banjo
    1960's Pirles 4-String Tenor Banjo

  8. #108
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Custom Build Luthiers

    Quote Originally Posted by treidm View Post
    Glad you brought this up...
    Having the maker local would be a major advantage!
    That could outweigh some other thoughts...

    Hopefully the maker honors warranty past 1st owner to some degree
    I talked to one that does, but some don't
    IIRC, the label inside my Black A2-z says that the instrument’s warranty is for the lifetime of the builder, not the original owner.

    edited to add: Ken Ratcliff generously retopped my Silverangel A5 for free even though I was not its original owner.
    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
    2005 National RM-1
    2007 Hester A5
    2009 Passernig A5
    2015 Black A2-z
    2010 Black GBOM
    2017 Poe Scout
    2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
    2018 Vessel TM5
    2019 Hogan F5

  9. #109
    Registered User treidm's Avatar
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    Default Re: Custom Build Luthiers

    Quote Originally Posted by pheffernan View Post
    IIRC, the label inside my Black A2-z says that the instrument’s warranty is for the lifetime of the builder, not the original owner.

    edited to add: Ken Ratcliff generously retopped my Silverangel A5 for free even though I was not its original owner.
    So thankful for your response!

    This helps with my thoughts of Black, because of locality of maker and myself.
    Lawrence KS is about 45 minutes from Leavenworth KS, where I am. My wife and I both like Lawrence. We have most work done on our instruments at Mass Street in Lawrence
    , Reid
    2011 Black A5 (#9) Mandolin
    1952 Gibson A-40N Mandolin
    1924 Gibson TB-1 Trapdoor Tenor Banjo
    1975 Gibson MK-35 Hybrid Braced Dreadnought Guitar
    1993 Washburn M3 SW/TS F-Style Mandolin
    2004 Martin D-16 GT Dreadnought Guitar
    2006 Martin DC-16RGTE AURA Dreadnought Guitar
    1997 Seagull S6 Dreadnought Guitar
    1970's Kay KB-52 5-String Banjo
    1960's Pirles 4-String Tenor Banjo

  10. #110
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Custom Build Luthiers

    Quote Originally Posted by treidm View Post
    So thankful for your response! This helps with my thoughts of Black, because of locality of maker and myself. Lawrence KS is about 45 minutes from Leavenworth KS, where I am. My wife and I both like Lawrence. We have most work done on our instruments at Mass Street in Lawrence, Reid
    I definitely think that there is added value in having access to the builder so that he can periodically look over the instrument. I also think that there is some extra cache in that Mike builds his A5's modeled after the Mrs. Griffith Loar. My Hester A5 is of the same design, and it is an absolut cannon.
    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
    2005 National RM-1
    2007 Hester A5
    2009 Passernig A5
    2015 Black A2-z
    2010 Black GBOM
    2017 Poe Scout
    2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
    2018 Vessel TM5
    2019 Hogan F5

  11. #111
    Registered User Papalobo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Custom Build Luthiers

    regarding custom instrument pricing vs. the Big Boys . Due to economy of scale alone direct competition is not even an option.
    I've been building going on 20 years and price and profit haven't been part of the equation yet. My experience has shown folks buy custom to get what they can't anywhere else . That always seems to be their prime motivation .

  12. #112
    Registered User treidm's Avatar
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    Default Re: Custom Build Luthiers

    Quote Originally Posted by Papalobo View Post
    I've been building going on 20 years and price and profit haven't been part of the equation yet. My experience has shown folks buy custom to get what they can't anywhere else . That always seems to be their prime motivation .
    Hmmm, sorry you say always, when that's not my motivation at all. Getting something different has not entered into my thoughts regarding this possible purchase any whatsoever...

    The advantage of a new build opposed to a used one, would allow you to see if certain things could be done. maybe you want a wider nut or a different tailpiece etc.., But I've never thought getting what no one else has as a prime motivation

    Wouldn't bother me at all if everyone had one just like mine. As long as I like it, then it's cool with me...

    Reid
    2011 Black A5 (#9) Mandolin
    1952 Gibson A-40N Mandolin
    1924 Gibson TB-1 Trapdoor Tenor Banjo
    1975 Gibson MK-35 Hybrid Braced Dreadnought Guitar
    1993 Washburn M3 SW/TS F-Style Mandolin
    2004 Martin D-16 GT Dreadnought Guitar
    2006 Martin DC-16RGTE AURA Dreadnought Guitar
    1997 Seagull S6 Dreadnought Guitar
    1970's Kay KB-52 5-String Banjo
    1960's Pirles 4-String Tenor Banjo

  13. #113
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    Default Re: Custom Build Luthiers

    Quote Originally Posted by willkamm View Post
    If you go to the classifieds Mando Mutt has a brand new Silverangel El Toro for sale at a nicely reduced price. He has always gotten right back to me. NFI.
    Not anymore....in my hands now and it is beautiful!!
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