Mann F-7

[Steve Cantrell]

Thought I'd post a few pics of my new one.

[Steve Cantrell]

By the way, I'm much better at the mandolin than photography, and my camera is falling behind the times.

[Steve Cantrell]

Scroll...a little fuzzy.

[Steve Cantrell]

back

[Steve Cantrell]

Side

[Steve Cantrell]

These are the specs Jonathan sent me:
Neck- Curly maple/walnut/Curly maple 3 piece
No neck joint / neck thru construction
Back and sides- Quilted mahogany
Top- Old growth curly redwood 2 piece
Bracing- parallel spruce tone bars
Binding- tortoise
Fretboard- Ebony 12" radius "banjo" size frets
Ebony bridge
Grover 308N tuning machines
Curly walnut peghead overlay
Truss rod- traditional adjustable
Bone nut

I got one great deal on this mando, and couldn't be happier. It has an excellent, woody tone and a good bark. The workmanship is clean and precise, and I love the aesthetics of it. It also has great tone and sustain all the way up the neck for those with a soft touch. Jonathan Mann is making great mandolins.

[Baron Collins-Hill]

i love that top

baron

[Steve Cantrell]

Here's a better shot of the top...at least a little better.

[chuck.naill]

Very nice. Beautiful wood and workmanship. How does having the neck through the body effect the sound?

Very nice alternative scroll pattern

Chuck

[Steve Cantrell]

Chuck, As far as I can tell the sound hasn't been affected at all. The mandolin has a full, rich sound. My wife walked by me last night and said "That thing sounds good". This may not seem like such a big thing, but she's not what I'd call a mandolin enthusiast.

[acousticphd]

Hey Steve,
What's the number on yours? I picked up a Mann blacktop A7 last year, also with redwood top. They're probably brothers. Then again, they're all pretty much brothers as I don't think he has produced to many archtop instruments overall.

I think the sound of the Manndolins I've heard has more to do with his often using mahogany backs, except for the maple neck-through strip. I've heard two of his mahogany A7s, and they had a warmer tone than the average maple mando. Mine needs to be played more than I play it, but it has a nice woody tone, good chop, and great feel, at least to me - nice wide neck, radiused, and big frets.

[Steve Cantrell]

Jeff,
I've got 030406, and if I understand his serial number system correctly, that's two-digit month, two-digit year,and then the number built that year. I know the neck-through construction might result in a mild cerebal event for the purists, but I couldn't be happier with it. Even thought I have smaller hands, the larger neck is much more comfortable for me. I was a little worried about that at first. I think the sound on this mandolin is very complex, and that's after playing a ton of mandolins in preparation for a purchase. I was still looking and bought this one on an impulse. I spent a time wringing my hands before the UPS man got it here wondering why I had chosen to do such a thing, but imagine my surprise when it turned out to be such a quality instrument. The fit and finish is just excellent, and it plays like butter. I encourage everyone to take one of these on a test drive if they get the chance.

[Steve Cantrell]

One more thing--I'd love to hear from other Mann owners and get their perspective. Thanks.

[Dfyngravity]

Well I haven't played any of his acoustic mandolin, but I have owned 2 of his electric. The first one was his standard semi-hollow body electric. I then sold it to get the one I have now, it's a solid body mini PRS style electric. I couldn't be happier, Jon really knows how you build quality mandolins.

Here's a photo of my old one and a link to the pic of my new one:
Mann 5 String Mini PRS Electric

[acousticphd]

Here's my A7 (2005 I believe) #16:

[DryBones]

can someone explain to me the difference between an F5 and F7?

[Steve Cantrell]

Perspective?

[Steve Cantrell]

I like that blacktop Jeff, especially the pickguard. Mine didn't come with one, but I'm considering asking him to make one in a similar vein.

[Jim Rowland]

I am facinated by the non appearance of the pickguard on that blacktop. Mayhaps these old orbs are failing me.
Jim

[Dfyngravity]

F5 vs F7 = traditional scroll vs. hook scroll, oh and the headstock isn't traditional either on Jon's F7. Other than that it is a F-style mandolin.

[Steve Cantrell]

Jim,
It's there, just small. I think the orbs are failing you.

[DryBones]

F5 vs F7 = traditional scroll vs. hook scroll, oh and the headstock isn't traditional either on Jon's F7. Other than that it is a F-style mandolin.

ok, then what about the A7? or an A9?

[DryBones]

i love that top

baron

Baron,
Just visited your MySpace page...nice mandolin playing! I used to vacation up your way when I lived in Massachusetts. Spent many a spring week at Whisperwood Lodge before I moved to Virginia. You live in a great part of this country,enjoy it!

[Steve Cantrell]

Ok....that telecaster look for your e-mando is cool, Dfyngravity, and the one you've got on order is just awesome. I love the PRS look.

[acousticphd]

ok, then what about the A7? or an A9?

There are a few pictures of the several Mann models on his website, including some pictures of how the neck-through construction is done and put together. I believe the F5/A5 have traditional styling and dovetail joints; the F7/A7 have the neck-through design and some other non-traditional elements. The body dimensions of the A7 are a bit more compact than the A5s I have or have handled, and of course the neck heel is smaller and more ergometric.