Jim
My Stream on Soundcloud
19th Century Tunes
Playing lately:
1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1
San Francisco is a great music town, but it's not the mando Mecca. if I had that kind of cash to flash, I'd fly to Nashville and see what's on the racks at Gruhn's and Carter's.
buy 2 or 3 ....who wants to eat chocolate ice cream every day ?
What about Gryphon Strings, at east while waiting to fly to Nashville? They seem to have a decent selection on their mandolin page.
Jim
My Stream on Soundcloud
19th Century Tunes
Playing lately:
1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1
Gryphon always has a good selection of Collings, and tries to keep an F5S and a big Mon in stock, as well as a bunch of Eastmans, whatever else is spotty, whatever used stuff walks in. Don't get me wrong, glad they have what they have. Sylvan in Santa Cruz has a few Webers and one or two Pavas, Girouards, and one Ellis A.
If I were to spend 6k on a mandolin, I'd buy used, and if I were selling one, I wouldn't take the hit selling to a dealer. In an economic environment where there are many well healed folks, top dollar is charged in the Bay Area. I might just hop a flight to Phoenix and go to TMS. But alas, pure speculation, not that I haven't entertained the thought of selling three or four guitars, three or four tube audio amplifiers and a turntable or two to raise a Mando war chest.
If I were 500 miles from Austin I'd go there, 500 from Elderly, I'd go there, 500 miles from NYC, go there, otherwise, Nashville here we come.
Silverangel A
Arches F style kit
1913 Gibson A-1
How about Aussies? Gilchrist has a rich full sound (by reputation) similar to what you described.
I have never held or personally seen one though.
Davey Stuart tenor guitar (based on his 18" mandola design).
Eastman MD-604SB with Grover 309 tuners.
Eastwood 4 string electric mandostang, 2x Airline e-mandola (4-string) one strung as an e-OM.
DSP's: Helix HX Stomp, various Zooms.
Amps: THR-10, Sony XB-20.
I've noticed new Ellis A models are hitting new price point, but you could readily find a used one for your budget. Have a look at Passernig if you can find one, they are excellent as well. Duff A models are traditional power houses. It's been a couple of years since I've seen a Heiden at that price, but they may be out there. Lawrence Smart A would be a great instrument to try as well.
You can find one:
http://www.fiddlersgreenmusicshop.co...assernig-a5-92
Please find one so that I don’t find another one.
1924 Gibson A Snakehead
2005 National RM-1
2007 Hester A5
2009 Passernig A5
2015 Black A2-z
2010 Black GBOM
2017 Poe Scout
2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
2018 Vessel TM5
2019 Hogan F5
Information on lessons, gigs, and misc musical stuff: www.mattcbruno.com
Weekly free Mandolin Lessons: www.mattcbruno.com/weekly-posts/
My gear and recommendations: www.mattcbruno.com/gear-recommendations/
Cooking fun: www.mattcbruno.com/quarantine-cookbook/
Mando's in use
Primary: Newson 2018
Secondary: Gibson F9 2014
Primary Electric: Jonathan Mann OSEMdc 5
It depends on what sound you’re going for. But my recommendations would be these in no particular order.
For a custom made mandolin:
1. Tyler White, of White mandolins. Pinehouse guitars is the company. His mandos start at $4850 for a varnish instrument.
2. Skip Kelley, kelley mandolins his price starts at $5000
3. Ratliff Mandolins also Around the $5000 mark.
4. Jerry Rosa, Rosa String works price starts at $6000
(These makers are my preferred. And I hope to have a mando from all of them at some point. They have all treated me very nicely.)
This is just my 2 cents ultimately you must play as many as possible and decided for your self I wouldn’t rule out a Kentucky KM-1500 or a Northfield artist these have been recommended to me and I liked both very much. There’s some great stuff coming out of asia at this time. And there’s an endless amount of great builders out there it’s a great time to be alive for a mandolin player. My budget was also $6000, it was a hard search played around 100 instruments before I decided on mine which I should have in about 2 weeks. I started a similar thread as well. Be assured these guys know there stuff and can help you make a great decision. Are there any mando brands you’re leaning towards? It seems there always is
Hardwick Bluetone banjo, old Washburn b16 with an rb250 tone ring
Custom Martin D28, and D45
Tyler White #12, Eastman MD 815cs, Austin AU657 beater mandolin
Several violins, eletric guitars, piano, Suzuki bluesmaster harmonica set, and my Dads old trombone from high school.
Kimble makes a fine A5 or two point in that range. Music Emporium has a couple.
Shaun Garrity
http://www.youtube.com/user/spgokc78
Jim
My Stream on Soundcloud
19th Century Tunes
Playing lately:
1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1
Correct they are prices for F models as that’s all I’m interested in. That’s why I asked what brands he may have already been interested in cause if the op wrote off Collings and Gibson and anything Asian, then they must have another preference of brand already. Those are my outside the box mando brands all of which also make A styles. I just don’t have those prices. If an A Style was what I wanted with a traditional sound I’d go Ellis especially if I couldn’t travel.
Hardwick Bluetone banjo, old Washburn b16 with an rb250 tone ring
Custom Martin D28, and D45
Tyler White #12, Eastman MD 815cs, Austin AU657 beater mandolin
Several violins, eletric guitars, piano, Suzuki bluesmaster harmonica set, and my Dads old trombone from high school.
This just landed in the classifieds.......
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/135569#135569
NFI
Charley
A bunch of stuff with four strings
Good evening friends!
Thank you all immensely for your very excellent suggestions and comments. People on this site are truly good folks!
Here's what I did. I bought my Mom a refrigerator for Valentine's Day. Mandolins come and go, parents are forever. New budget is $5000.00 - still significant. Found a 2015 "New" unplayed Weber Distressed Diamondback from a trusted and most excellent seller. Had the coveted Bruce Weber signature, came with 2 Lakota straps and 3 sets of J74's as well as some picks and free shipping. Oh, also has Weber dampers and humidifier. Showroom condition, zero structural issues. Set up and ready to play. I will attempt to post a pic - probably will fail miserably. Anyone know how to transfer a pic in my inbox to this site? Anyway, I feel like you're all my friends and want to say again, thank you very much.
Warmest regards and great picking.
Joe
"Of all the harm that ere' I've done,
Alas, it was to none but me."
Goodnight and Joy be to you all!
Congratulations on your new Diamond Back! Looking forward to some pics........
https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...d+photo+thread
Charley
A bunch of stuff with four strings
I hope you enjoy it! I enjoy my Weber Bitterroot!
Yep, failed miserably. Dumb as a turd when it comes to computers. Will once again require the impeccable assistance of my computer savy neighbor. Sorry for the inconvenience.
"Of all the harm that ere' I've done,
Alas, it was to none but me."
Goodnight and Joy be to you all!
Thank you. I'm sure I will. (replying to Lady Solo)
"Of all the harm that ere' I've done,
Alas, it was to none but me."
Goodnight and Joy be to you all!
Great suggestions above. If you’re not worried about resale, consider a well established luthier who’s not yet commanding top tier prices, such a Skip Kelley, Ken Ratcliff, or maybe a Pomeroy. Their F styles are all in your budget. My Kelley A5 was less than half of your budget, but holds its own with the big boys. And, I get your tone preference, as I once kept my Silverangel econono over an MT because of its more traditional tone.
Regarding Weber, I own a Yellowstone mandocello that’s an exceptionally built and awesome sounding instrument. I would not throw them out because of the TOH thang (unless maybe I was a personal friend of Bruce’s, which some members are, and I get that). They’re really putting out some nice stuff.
Since you can’t travel, email Dennis at TMS, tell him your preferences, and work out a time that you can call and have him play a few in your range, ranging from top of the line Kentucky up to the 6K point, in a blind test format. Then pick the one you like best and run with it!!
Chuck
I would assume that is resembles the one on this page with added option of distressing.
Jim
My Stream on Soundcloud
19th Century Tunes
Playing lately:
1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1
Bookmarks