Amazing Mandola Alert

[ccravens]

I've played a number of mandolas, but the Passernig that I played at Fiddler's Green in Austin this week blew me away.

If it weren't for the price, I'd have snapped it up in a heartbeat.

I seriously doubt I'll ever find one to equal or exceed the tone of this one.

http://www.fiddlersgreenmusicshop.co....vKjYgmt4.dpbs

[ccravens]

Well...I wrote the above post/thread a long time ago (4 years to be exact). In that time I've visited Fiddler's Green about twice a year and played that amazing mandola everytime I went. And it sounded as good as I remembered everytime.

Through good circumstances and an instrument trade, I was able to acquire the Passernig last week.

It has a depth and fullness of tone that I've not experienced in any other CBOM that I've every played. It's really hard to describe the sound that comes out of this instrument, but it is resonant, full and deep. Stefan's instruments, mainly manos, that I've played at FG have always been amazing. This is no different, just on a different level.

I've been told that some of his builds have been owned by Doyle Lawson and David Grisman, but Stefan’s lack of marketing and online presence combined with his refusal to take custom orders makes him underappreciated. I'm fine with that. Here are some pics:

[Jim Garber]

Congratulations, Chris! It was meant to be and you are a patient person.

[Lord of the Badgers]

Nice story & happy ending!
congrats Chris

I am still haunted by a mandola my friend Paul Shippey made. It was off to a client. I was so so so so so so extremely so so jealous

[Brandon Flynn]

I played yours for a bit right before they shut down for COVID-19 (I think it might have been the day before!). It was indeed very nice; left me wishing they had a Passernig Mandolin for me to try. And I'm glad every instrument that I see them sell at the moment, I want their business to survive!

[pheffernan]

I seriously doubt I'll ever find one to equal or exceed the tone of this one.

And now you don’t have to! Congratulations on your prudent purchase and thanks for removing a perpetual temptation. It would have made a nice big brother to my A5, though.

[CES]

Cool story with a very happy ending! Congratulations, Chris!

[ccravens]

Pheffernan, I have often looked at your impressive list of instruments, but the 2 Passernigs are the ones that have made me most jealous.

[pheffernan]

Pheffernan, I have often looked at your impressive list of instruments, but the 2 Passernigs are the ones that have made me most jealous.

What, this old thing?

[ccravens]

I've never played an F like yours, but I've played a number of A's at FG.

The tone is to die for.

[ajh]

I have visited Fiddlers Green and played that instrument the last three times I was in Austin.....and cringed every time leaving without it. Just too pricey for me. Am glad it found an appreciative home. Congrats!

[addamr]

Congratulations. Always good to see a nice instrument get a good home.

Adam

[Astro]

Great story. What a timeline !

[pheffernan]

I've never played an F like yours, but I've played a number of A's at FG.

For years, it seemed like Stefan sold his A5’s (along with two-points and the rare mandola) through Fiddler’s Green and his F5’s through Smoky Mountain Guitars, which is now defunct. The last F5 (#86 I believe) that was sent there is being sold through J&J Guitars on Reverb. What else do you have to trade?

https://reverb.com/item/4850656-pass...emona-sunburst

The tone is to die for.

The mandola doesn’t sound half bad either.

[urobouros]

It was meant to be and you are a patient person.

Amen! Congrats on the new dola Chris! She looks gorgeous but it sounds like she plays even better

[ccravens]

What else do you have to trade?

https://reverb.com/item/4850656-pass...emona-sunburst

Alas, not nearly enough to afford that..


But I am more than happy with my Girouard mandolin. Another instrument with exquisite tone I've been fortunate to acquire.

[George Henry]

Your srory about that dola reminds me of my yearly visits to Mckenzie River Music in Eugene. I saw an old Rettberg and Lange banjo on the wall. I was immediately attracted but was not in my budget. But I kept track of online dreamed. The following summer I returned but bought a used Weber Octave instead. The 3rd summer I returned again and the banjo was still there. I had a NH Guild D-40 with and the store wanted the guitar. I went home with the banjo and 6 years later still have it.

[sounds_good]

I like the tone of that Passernig. I am not in a position to buy one myself,
but dreams are cheap. Can you share with us the scale length and what
size strings are on it?


Thanks,
sounds_good

[pheffernan]

Alas, not nearly enough to afford that..

Did you change your mind? Or did someone else finally consummate a long-held wish? The “new” 2017 Passernig F5 from Reverb has finally sold (and it wasn’t me!):

https://reverb.com/item/4850656-pass...-sunburst#full