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Thread: New to me JL Smith 5 string

  1. #1
    Registered User mtndan's Avatar
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    Default New to me JL Smith 5 string

    Just wanted to share my new axe - meet "Stella"!

    Click image for larger version. 

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    I've been wanting a 5 string e-mando for some time, mostly to not drive my wife crazy but also because I love the options with the lower register. Combined with my little mini Vox "Clean" headphone amp, I am in heaven.

    Thanks Mr. Smith and to Rance in the classifieds.
    mtndan

    2013 Weber Yellowstone HT A Wide Neck
    2009 5 string JL Smith e-mando
    2002 Martin 000-15M

    "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds..." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

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  3. #2
    Registered User chasray's Avatar
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    Default Re: New to me JL Smith 5 string

    I like that look. Congratulations. You'll have a bunch of fun.

  4. #3
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    Default Re: New to me JL Smith 5 string

    If I'm not mistaken, I believe I used to own that mandolin. I think that's the one I did a review of for Emando.com years ago. It was a sweet mandolin. I've had 4 of John's mandolins, and they were all wonderful. I still have one. Enjoy!
    Chief. Way up North. Gibson 1917 A model with pickup. JL Smith 5 string electric. 1929 National Triolian resonator mandolin with pickup. National RM 1 with pickup. Ovation Applause. Fender FM- 60 E 5 string electric (with juiced pickups). 1950's Gibson EM-200 electric mandolin. 1954 Gibson EM-150 electric mandolin. Custom made "Jett Pink" 5 string electric- Bo Diddley slab style. Jay Roberts Tiny Moore model 5 string electric.

  5. #4
    Registered User mtndan's Avatar
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    Default Re: New to me JL Smith 5 string

    Quote Originally Posted by Chief View Post
    If I'm not mistaken, I believe I used to own that mandolin. I think that's the one I did a review of for Emando.com years ago. It was a sweet mandolin. I've had 4 of John's mandolins, and they were all wonderful. I still have one. Enjoy!
    What a trip! We were just in Duluth for the first time for a wedding last month. Nice place.

    What year is the mandolin? Do you know what kind of wood it is?
    mtndan

    2013 Weber Yellowstone HT A Wide Neck
    2009 5 string JL Smith e-mando
    2002 Martin 000-15M

    "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds..." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

  6. #5
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    Default Re: New to me JL Smith 5 string

    I did the review 10 years ago, if indeed that is the same instrument, so it's at least 10 years old. I believe it was new when I got it. You could probably check J L Smiths website for more information on type of wood, etc. You hit Duluth at the best time of year. Nice weather and lots of stuff going on in summer. The music scene is pretty happening here. Don't know if you caught any live music. I actually played on a tourist boat this summer. That was a fun gig. Anyway, enjoy your new mando.
    Chief. Way up North. Gibson 1917 A model with pickup. JL Smith 5 string electric. 1929 National Triolian resonator mandolin with pickup. National RM 1 with pickup. Ovation Applause. Fender FM- 60 E 5 string electric (with juiced pickups). 1950's Gibson EM-200 electric mandolin. 1954 Gibson EM-150 electric mandolin. Custom made "Jett Pink" 5 string electric- Bo Diddley slab style. Jay Roberts Tiny Moore model 5 string electric.

  7. #6
    Mandol'Aisne Daniel Nestlerode's Avatar
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    Default Re: New to me JL Smith 5 string

    Yep. Total convert here. It took me while to find the conceptual paths to make the best sense and use of a 5 course instrument, but once I got there it felt good.

    JL Smith got a write up in Vintage Guitar some years ago as well. He makes nice instruments.

    Enjoy!
    Daniel

  8. #7

    Default Re: New to me JL Smith 5 string

    mtndan, Glad you like my work, and hope you enjoy it. I built that one for Steve (Chief) in 2009. The serial number is #09-2009, which means the 9th one built in 2009. Steve did a real nice review of it.
    john
    www.jlsmithmandolins.com

  9. #8

    Default Re: New to me JL Smith 5 string

    Poplar body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard. Just thought I'd add that.

  10. #9

    Default Re: New to me JL Smith 5 string

    Quote Originally Posted by mtndan View Post
    Just wanted to share my new axe - meet "Stella"!

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_0063.jpg 
Views:	191 
Size:	46.9 KB 
ID:	171322

    I've been wanting a 5 string e-mando for some time, mostly to not drive my wife crazy but also because I love the options with the lower register. Combined with my little mini Vox "Clean" headphone amp, I am in heaven.

    Thanks Mr. Smith and to Rance in the classifieds.
    I use mine with a Vox Twin and a Vox Lead - both work great.

    Enjoy!!
    VerneAndru.com | oKee.ComX

    - ---==< V >==--- -

  11. #10
    Registered User ahmandolin's Avatar
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    Default Re: New to me JL Smith 5 string

    Looks like a great mandolin! Enjoy.

  12. #11
    Registered User Drew Egerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: New to me JL Smith 5 string

    that's cool, congrats! I have been drooling for one of those for a while
    Drew
    2020 Northfield 4th Gen F5
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  13. #12
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    Default Re: New to me JL Smith 5 string

    So congrats also from my side!
    You tuned the 5-string CGDAE like a mandoline plus a low C?

    I am transforming a 20" electric guitar (for children normally ;-) )
    into a 5-string CGDAE instrument tuned like a octave mandolin (one octave lower than your instrument).
    All is fine with the upper 4 strings but the lowest string (C) is floppy and does not sound well
    but I think with a thicker C-string I could have success! How thick does it have to be?
    I calculated 0.069 inch. Can this be true?

  14. #13

    Default Re: New to me JL Smith 5 string

    Quote Originally Posted by greeenhorn View Post
    So congrats also from my side!
    You tuned the 5-string CGDAE like a mandoline plus a low C?

    I am transforming a 20" electric guitar (for children normally ;-) )
    into a 5-string CGDAE instrument tuned like a octave mandolin (one octave lower than your instrument).
    All is fine with the upper 4 strings but the lowest string (C) is floppy and does not sound well
    but I think with a thicker C-string I could have success! How thick does it have to be?
    I calculated 0.069 inch. Can this be true?
    My 20” five string has iirc a 74w on the C string I bought an eighth string electric guitar set Ernie Ball slinky’s. It was the only way I could find a string that gauge. Tension is ok but I am not 100% struck on tone it can be a bit thuddy.

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  16. #14

    Default Re: New to me JL Smith 5 string

    19" scale works for Eb Bb F C G D - capo at the second and you're at F C G D A E. Gauges I use are 8/11/17/30/46/56.
    VerneAndru.com | oKee.ComX

    - ---==< V >==--- -

  17. #15
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    Default Re: New to me JL Smith 5 string

    trhanks a lot. IN the meantime I bought a .068 and it works better than my 59 before. I am satisfied.
    But I believe you that a .074 would be better! ;-)

    - - - Updated - - -

    Thak you but I think that you have tuned it an octave higher than me ;-)

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