A Style “Holy Grail?

[Danidog]

If the Lohr signature F5 is the holy grail for many, is there a holy grail of the A style mandolins?

[sgarrity]

There is a single Loar signed A-style, the Griffith A5. Outside of that it's A-styles made by the best builders of today.....Heiden, Nugget, Gilchrist, Monteleone, Dudenbostel, Kimble, Ellis, etc. And for oval hole lovers, the Gibson A4 Snakehead.

[mandotool]

... The 1920's Gibson A-4 Snakeheads with flame maple backs are my
personal Holy Grail... of course i am biased..
and they are extremely scarce... only 1/2 dozen or so known from the same log..

[Charles E.]

The Griffith A-5, google it, lots of history.

[MikeEdgerton]

Here is a link to every message on the Cafe that mentions the Ms. Griffith Loar. The single signed Lloyd Loar A style mandolin built by Gibson is known as the Ms. Griffith Loar. She wanted an A style, her husband bought an F% model. If I had my choice of owning any Lloyd Loar signed Gibson I'd take that one.

[Zach Wilson]

. If I had my choice of owning any Lloyd Loar signed Gibson I'd take that one.

I absolutely agree!

[John Rosett]

If I had my choice of owning any Lloyd Loar signed Gibson I'd take that one.

I've played 5 or 6 Loars over the years, including the Griffith, and I have to agree

[20MartinA]

This one is my holy grail - 1924 A2 "Snakehead".

[mjbee]

The monteleone “style B” that just hit the classifieds could certainly be considered a holy grail A.

[Mark Seale]

The monteleone “style B” that just hit the classifieds could certainly be considered a holy grail A.

That one certainly is. It's a phenomenal instrument. I had an equally good Gilchrist A that I would put up against any instrument.

[John Soper]

I'm lucky enough to be the temporary (during my lifetime) custodian of a mid-90's Nugget A5 - It is my holy grail ff-hole and a '23 snakehead plain-jade A that serves as the oval-hole equivalent.

[Altmandw]

I'm lucky enough to be the temporary (during my lifetime) custodian of a mid-90's Nugget A5 - It is my holy grail ff-hole and a '23 snakehead plain-jade A that serves as the oval-hole equivalent.

Well, John’s selection(s) certainly are wonderful, but I’ll offer some that might compete. I’m definitely fortunate to be watching over the only Heiden Heritage A50 (2009) and an unusual 1919 Gibson A4 (top of their line at that date) which has definitely outperformed the lower model snakeheads that I’ve tried. Of course the only Loar signed A5 is definitely nearly impossible for most of us to argue about!

[doc holiday]

I absolutely agree!

Me too!

[Iron]

I dont think I have ever played a Holy Grail and I suspect I never will.
But I have played a few nice Mandolins a Red Diamond A model was one of the better ones.

[rcc56]

. . . It could be said that one person's grail is someone else's take-out coffee cup.

[Billy Packard]

As different as night and day, these beauties stand proud in every gathering.
1923 Gibson A2 and 1993 Gilchrist Model three

[Billy Packard]

(I can't figger out how to correct the alignment on this photo!!)

[TX2AK]

Aside from the one Griffith A, the A Holy Grail is whatever the greatest player you like played. Chris Thile is Chris Thile on his Dudes, just as much as he is on his Loar, and I know masters who own Loars and whose “desert island” mandolins aren’t the Loars. The mystique behind common “grail” instruments is for collectors, rather than players. So, it’s important to distinguish whether you mean”Grail” for playing or collecting. I’m not a collection for the sake of collection guy, so; without question, if I could get a Loar signed instrument at a great price, I’d buy it; then promptly sell it here and get what suited my playing needs or preferences. If you are collecting, sure, the Griffith is the Grail; next would be an A from Ellis, Gilchrist, Nugget, Montelone, Heiden, Dudenbostle, Kimble, and the other high end makers. My personal opinion, after playing several and owning one, is that most modernish (80s to present) Gibsons are mid-range. Good enough instruments for their tier, but highest end of price for name - which isn’t wrong, it just is. Gibson does and did make some exceptional instruments, no doubt; but they are a giant company owned by a more giant company/investment group. Music isn’t the primary focus, like boutique owner/builders, no matter how great the current head luthier is, and he’s reputed as the best in 100 years.

[L50EF15]

The Griffith A5 being held in such high esteem, I wonder if Gibson themselves would ever release a replica. If other luthiers examined it, surely Dave Harvey could.

As for me, I think I found my A-style grail in my 1924 Snakehead A Jr. Put it like this: I played around with mandolin on my quite excellent Mid Missouri for years. But the A Jr. makes me play every day.

[Tom Sanderson]

I have owned several Nuggets (10 if I count 2 Collings/Nuggets) 1 two point, 2 F5’s, and 7 A5’s, And have played dozens. My current one (#294 A5 Deluxe) is my all time favorite.

[Eric Platt]

Not sure what I'd consider the A Grail. Still looking for mine. Although I keep judging all other Gibson oval holes against my A Jr and nothing has beat it yet.

Brentrup, Ellis, Hinde, Givens and maybe a couple others would be my own list. But those are ones I have played.

[Zach Wilson]

I still think about the H. BRUUN. I should have bought it. It may be my personal "Holy Grail".

https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...Bruun-Mandolin

[Sue Rieter]

. . . It could be said that one person's grail is someone else's take-out coffee cup.

Or vice versa

[fatt-dad]

love the one you're with.

f-d

[soliver]

love the one you're with.

Can't imagine ever parting with my Silverangel Econo A. It hits all my marks and does everything I want it to, therefore I'm pretty sure I have possession of my Holy Grail. So I'll keep working on my Sean Connery impression.