The 'Perfect' Mandolin?

[MikeZito]

Although I have never been a particularity big fan of Bill Monroe, I have always been in awe of the way that he apparently bonded with his favorite Loar mandolin. I have heard story after story about how he and his mandolin were practically inseparable from each other . . . almost like one musical being in two separate parts.

I have owned a couple of stunning mandolins over the years - but the 'perfect' mandolin has alluded me. (I once owned the 'perfect' electric guitar, but it was ruined by accident.)

So my question is, do you have your 'perfect' mandolin?

[Tobin]

To be fair, part of Bill's "bond" with his Gibson F5 was that it was his moneymaker. Those of us who play music as a hobby or even semiprofessionally might not really understand it from the perspective of our livelihood revolving around it. I would imagine that it changes the dynamics quite a bit.

But yeah, I do have my perfect mandolin. I don't take it everywhere I go, or sleep with it near my bed, or anything like that. But it does everything I could possibly ask a mandolin to do, and it fits me just right. I honestly can't think of anything I would want to change about it, or that I could ask to be different in another mandolin.

[Joes]

Any mandolin within reach is perfect to me. Really, I'm not good enough to be able to tell the difference between a $300 Washburn or a 10,000 Gibson I can't make them all sound the same

[Willie Poole]

Being realistic I don`t believe there is such a thing as "A perfect mandolin" with the way the fret spacing is set up on them, I know some people think they are perfect so I guess you could say it is all in your mind and as long as they are satisfied with their instruments that's what matters....As a semi pro baseball player, I never found a bat that I was real happy with so maybe I look for and expect too much in anything I own...

Willie

[red7flag]

Mike that is a great question. Tobin, which mandolin would that be, by chance? For me, my answer is that I have focused on buying an array of instruments to fit a multitude of situations or needs. As such, I have not searched for the holy grail, but rather a collection of instruments that fit a number of different needs. I have played a large number of great instruments, but have never played the "perfect" one.

[Tobin]

Tobin, which mandolin would that be, by chance?

My Ellis F5 Special, of course. Everybody's tastes and needs will be different, but for me personally, this is the perfect mandolin.

[Beanzy]

I spent a lot of time saving up and discussing my mandolin with Phil Davidson.
We eventually came up with the design and he developed methods for building it.
It was designed to fulfil some fairly specific needs and many wants, which it does perfectly.
I would think it would be impossible for it to be perfect for many others without getting it modified.

[CES]

I found my perfect mandolin in a Giacomel at Gruhn's a couple of years ago, but couldn't justify the price for my skill level, particularly with college tuition for 2 children looming. I didn't expect to love it, and picked it up more out of curiosity than anything else, but it spoke to me. Tone, volume, feel, the way the box vibrated...I could have forsaken all others for it (except my beater, which serves its purpose well). My wife saw the look in my eyes when I hit the first little run into a chop chord on it, and was genuinely concerned that I was gonna drop the 12,500 for it on the spot.

That said, I like all of the mandolins I currently have as well. I've bought them to fill different needs, as Tony describes, though not quite to the quality of his stable. I have at least 3 that could easily be my "only" mandolin if finances or space required such a paring down. But, I could see myself with a beater and one really spectacular mandolin, pretty easily, once the kids are out of college. The search will be fun, for sure!

[CES]

Also, I agree it's cool that Bill played his Loar almost exclusively through the years. Same for Willie and Trigger, and David Rawlings and his Epi, it seems, of late, just as a couple more examples. As a hobbyist, I don't need a "signature sound," though I'm sure my wife and kids could come up with all manner of "signature" horrific sounds for my playing, lol...

[colorado_al]

I travel for work and get the opportunity to play mandolins all over the country. When I'm on the road I try to build in a day to visit a local luthier and sample their mandolins and guitars, or visit a local shop and play what they have. The one that I have played recently that I can't stop thinking about is a fantastic Clark A5 that I played in Boise. So comfortable to play! Great sounding! Beautiful!

[Bill McCall]

.... The one that I have played recently that I can't stop thinking about is a fantastic Clark A5 that I played in Boise. So comfortable to play! Great sounding! Beautiful!

And imagine how much more beautiful one of his 2 points might be if it were sitting near you now.

Just saying

[JeffD]

The "perfect" mandolin is going to be one that is perfect for something specific. I could see requiring many mandolins.

One that is perfect for recording, one that is perfect for playing in large spaces, one that is perfect for bluegrass, one that is perfect for classical, one that is perfect for playing at home on the couch, one that is perfect for traditional Irish, one that is perfect for ...

Well you get the idea. Nothing does everything, but everything that needs doing as a mandolin that is perfect for it.

[Tom Sanderson]

Yes, I have mine. Having owned many throughout the 40 plus years of playing mandolin, I got my perfect one eleven years ago. No more MAS here, I spend my time playing and loving it.

[sbhikes]

I think the mandolin itself is less important than my enthusiasm for the music. As I have become more capable and accepted among my friends I've grown more fond of my instrument.

[LadysSolo]

I have mandolins perfect for the job at hand. If I had to pick just one, I could, but I prefer having several that do their jobs particularly well.

[sgarrity]

I've owned a bunch of them over the years but the one that has stuck with me is my Heiden A5. Ive had it for coming up on 10 years and it's everything you could want in a mandolin. It's Englemann and red maple which makes a nice foil to my red spruce and sugar maple Kimble F5.

[MontanaMatt]

Yes, I have mine. Having owned many throughout the 40 plus years of playing mandolin, I got my perfect one eleven years ago. No more MAS here, I spend my time playing and loving it.

Tom, what is it?

[MontanaMatt]

I might be close with my new Ratliff...loud, rich, woody, lots of headroom, beautiful to see and touch. I get excited to open the case every time, granted I've only had it for a couple of months.

[Pete Braccio]

I have a couple of instruments that I won't part with at this moment. I think that means that I haven't found "the one" yet. I don't know if that's a problem with me or with any of the instruments that I own.

[allenhopkins]

Analyze the difference between "perfect" and "favorite."

Plus, different tools for different jobs. I would say, overall, that the instrument that is the best suited to the particular uses to which I put it, is my Sobell mandola. But I only use it when I need that particular voice. The instrument I play the most is probably my lowly Strad-O-Lin, because I fearlessly drag it to every situation where I might possibly want a mandolin, and it's a good instrument. Not perfect, but then, who is?

[Tom Sanderson]

Tom, what is it?

Nugget F5 deluxe

[Northwest Steve]

I have a 2001 Flatiron Festival. It is not perfect but it sounds great, like I think a mandolin should sound. It plays great as well and it is a far better mandolin than I deserve at my ability, but it brings a smile and joy almost every time I pick it up.

[goose 2]

The perfect mandolin is the one the actually cures MAS. A few of us have been fortunate to come into possession of such an instrument. For me, its my trusty 2003 Gibson DMM. It does it all. Every day for the past 12 years i have played it, and every day it satisfies.

[Ivan Kelsall]

I'd agree that Bill Monroe's mandolin was his wage earner,but i also believe that he greatly appreciated it's unique tone. Apart from his own styling,his mandolin made his sound so recognisable,that it set him apart,something i'm sure that BM enjoyed.

'Perfect Mandolin' ?. For me,an Ellis F-5 'Fern' would maybe come close,but we search for 'different' all the time,hence the MAS which hits us from time to time,so 'Perfect' - mmmmmm !.

I think that maybe my personal 'perfect mandolin' was recently sold for $69,000 US - the 1929 Gibson 'Fern',sold by the Music Emporium. For me,that had everything - age / pedigree / 'The' name & incredible condition, as well as sounding awesomely good.

However,after e-stringing my Weber "Fern" a couple of days ago with EJ74's (not my usual DR MD11's),it really sounded incredibly good,so good in fact, that i couldn't put it down & played it for most of the day,
Ivan

[Mike Snyder]

I've hunted pheasant in northern Kansas for 50 years. Searched for the perfect shotgun for 40 of those years. It's not impressive to many hunters, but my old 16 ga side by side is the one. Mandolins were easier. An A4 and an F5, both modern builds. I'm set.