Custom Build Luthiers

[treidm]

Who are the Custom Build Luthiers, that can build mandolins that can equal or outshine production models from the big boys?

It just seems to make sense if a Luthier can make one as good or better and still be cheaper in price, it's a good thing to consider it, unless your hung up on the brand thing.
I also don't mind if it's an A5 instead of F5 Style

I live in KC area so we do have some locals. Leo Posch, Jim Trigg and a few more. Trigg mostly did guitars but does mando's more now days. Leo is more known for banjos and guitars but does do mandos. Which builders have the best reputations in your opinions?
Thanks, Reid

Current Mandolins:
1952 Gibson A-40 (x-Braced)
1993 Washburn M3 SW/TS (F-Style, Tone Bars, Radiused Fingerboard)

[yankees1]

Production models from the "big boys" ?? Like who?

[sunburst]

...It just seems to make sense if a Luthier can make one as good or better and still be cheaper in price...

That does seem to be a common notion among people, but I don't understand why. It seems obvious to me that a custom guilder can build a superior product compared to a production instrument ("big boys" or otherwise), but why people thing we can do it cheaper is beyond me.

[peter.coombe]

+1!!

[KGreene]

"Who are the Custom Build Luthiers, that can build mandolins that can equal or outshine production models from the big boys?"

Steve Gilchrist …

[vic-victor]

It really depends on what you mean by "the big boys". If you mean the top grade luthiers that charge 10's of thousands for their work is one thing and the answer is probably yes. A little known skilled luthier sometimes can make an equally good instrument and sell it at a fraction of the price the top luthiers charge. But if by the big boys you mean, say Weber or Northfield, the better grade individually made instrument will likely cost more, not less.

[Bob Clark]

Good luthiers have spent years perfecting their craft and a small fortune on tools. I, for one, do not want to pay them bare-bones minimum for their work. I appreciate their artistry and want to pay a fair price for it. Good factory made instruments can be had for relatively little money. Let's pay a fair price for the craftspersonship provided by our small shop luthiers.

[treidm]

Production models from the "big boys" ?? Like who?

Sorry, not specific enough. By big boys, I meant Gibson, Collings, Weber etc..
Larger manufacturing companies that one might assume would have a much larger overhead that they pass on to consumer and/or brand recognition that many times require you to pay a little for the name.

My thoughts may be wrong. I thought it was a worthwhile thing to ask, as the insight from those more experienced could prove to be helpful and if not it will still be interesting and informative to me. Thanks for the responses
Reid

[treidm]

Thank you KGreene
Is that the guy who worked on Monroe's Mandolin?

[Ivan Kelsall]

Both Weber & Collings were considered as ''single build'' luthiers at one time. They certainly weren't large companies like Gibson. Bruce Weber joined up with ''The 2 Old Hippies'' group. He's now left them & is a 'single build'' luthier once more,so put Bruce Weber on your list under his new Co.name,''Montana Lutherie'' :- https://www.montanalutherie.com/bruc...therie-future/

I don't know how others view the Collings Co.,but IMHO,they're still pretty much as they were prior to the passing of Bill Collings,basically a 'family' brand.

For other 'single build' luthiers,look under the 'Builders' section at the top of the page - there's more than anybody could sensibly list in a single post - however,if you want to know 'who' are considered to be the top 10,then maybe the members could help out - but expect far more than 10. The best builders don't come cheap ,& as with all other 'top notch' products,we don't expect them to be,
Ivan

[William Smith]

There are many GREAT custom builders, here is my list and just a quick one who pops in my gourd! Gary Vessel, John Hamlett, Steve Gilchrist, John Monteleone, John Paganoni, Bill Halsey, Lou Stiver,
Randy Wood-pry the pioneer right there along with Givens! Dudenbostel, Adrian Miroslav? sorry can't get the last name right in my mind as of now Don MacRostie, Altman, Love the work of the builder of Silver Angels with the carving and paintings! Is his name Ken? Paul Duff, Campanella etc....No disrespect to any that I've missed but this is a list that can go on and on as there are so many builders out there building top notch mandolins that's why I believe there is a big price reduction in the originals Loar signed F-5's and Ferns etc...
Some peoples logic why spend all that cash on an original 20's F-5 when I can get something just as great for a fraction of the cost! For me while I'd rather have an old F-5, to me anyway there is something in the old dried out wood, an unspoken history that's inside those old "antiques" They are the originals that everyone since has tried to copy in a sense. The original F-5's are just OH YEAH!

[rowka]

Great old instruments were once great new instruments.

[CES]

Skip Kelley is building some awesome mandolins!

[Michael Neverisky]

Great old instruments were once great new instruments.

Indeed. And they were made by a large manufacturer named Gibson (or Martin in the guitar world).

I've had my hands on a few pricey instruments, the benefit of living near a major retail store, and have concluded that the value ratio of price / performance is at its best with manufacturers like Collings and Northfield. Regarding tone and playability, there is no equivalent improvement that comes with paying 2x or even 10x more. Which is not to say that small shops don't compete. I've played a few Campanella instruments that I thought were fine. They were priced similarly to a Collings.

[Charles E.]

Just look at the builders data base here on the cafe.....

https://www.mandolincafe.com/builders.html

[MontanaMatt]

I was in the same lane as you two years ago. I got a custom Ratliff. I love it! It is only one year old, and will be awesome for several generations to come, after I'm done with it.
Having a instrument made just for you is a special treat, if you can, do it.

[pheffernan]

I live in KC area so we do have some locals. Leo Posch, Jim Trigg and a few more.

I'd add Mike Black who makes very attractive A5's based on the Griffith Loar body style.

[Br1ck]

I'll tell you something. After putting my Arches kit together, I will never again think luthiers charge too much for a mandolin. And people like Frank Ford think Collings puts together a mandolin as good as any. And any luthier that can build an instrument someone would pick over an Ellis or a Gilchrist deserves to charge what they can get.

There are a lot of builders building F 5s for less than 5k, a steal I M H O. The only problem I have with that is not having the dough.

[lflngpicker]

This is a really good discussion on a topic that can go many directions. Each of those lead to some ideas and new thinking that will benefit those of us trying to gain as much mandolin knowledge as possible.

[KGreene]

Thank you KGreene
Is that the guy who worked on Monroe's Mandolin?

First off... my statement was made with tongue firmly planted in cheek, focusing only on your first sentence, (Sorry, couldn't resist). I've only had the opportunity to play one Gil (a phenomenal instrument), and I would venture a guess that they'd all be more expensive than "the production big boys"... Mr. Gilchrist obviously has some crazy talent for making wood and wire sound the way he does. Listen to anything Ronnie McCoury does on his Gil for one example. I believe he did do some work on 22/23(?) Loar at Carters some time back, but honestly couldn't say if it was Monroes or not (I don't think so though ..??).

If I had to make a recommendation based on your question... with all components being equal …. David Houchens here in Va.

[MikeEdgerton]

Thank you KGreene
Is that the guy who worked on Monroe's Mandolin?

The late Charlie Derrington at Gibson rebuilt Monroe's mandolin. Steve Gilchrist is a well known builder based in Australia.

[MikeEdgerton]

Who are the Custom Build Luthiers, that can build mandolins that can equal or outshine production models from the big boys?

It just seems to make sense if a Luthier can make one as good or better and still be cheaper in price, it's a good thing to consider it, unless your hung up on the brand thing.
I also don't mind if it's an A5 instead of F5 Style

I live in KC area so we do have some locals. Leo Posch, Jim Trigg and a few more. Trigg mostly did guitars but does mando's more now days. Leo is more known for banjos and guitars but does do mandos. Which builders have the best reputations in your opinions?
Thanks, Reid

Current Mandolins:
1952 Gibson A-40 (x-Braced)
1993 Washburn M3 SW/TS (F-Style, Tone Bars, Radiused Fingerboard)

It's Triggs not Trigg. Jim is well known in the community.

http://www.triggsmandolins.com/

I should also note that The Mandolin Cafe is based in Lawrence, Ks.

[colorado_al]

KC is a great region for mandolins! Bradford Fret Shop in KC and Mass St Music in Lawrence are 2 great shops.
https://www.bfstrings.com/store/c5/Mandolins.html
https://massstreetmusic.com/pages/se...ions-mandolins

I would check out Mark Franzke and Mike Black for local, high quality, luthiers. Both are building great mandolins!
https://www.mfstrings.com/
http://www.blackmandolins.com/index.html

I think the best buy in your area is the shop brand at Bradford Fret Shop. They are called the Hawthorn and are made by Mike Black, but are considerably less expensive than Mike's personal brand. They are excellent mandolins at very good prices
https://www.bfstrings.com/store/p44/..._Mandolin.html

$2,995

https://www.bfstrings.com/store/p101..._Mandolin.html
https://www.bfstrings.com/uploads/1/...1_i2_w516.jpeg

$1,900

[treidm]

Love the work of the builder of Silver Angels with the carving and paintings! Is his name Ken?

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.

[treidm]

colorado_al on KC area
Soooooo helpful! Thanks.....
I bought a Martin Guitar, had Gibson Mandolin worked on, Gibson guitar worked on, all at mass street
love the place! I'm close to Lawrence
on the KC ones I will definitely check them out...