Results 1 to 17 of 17

Thread: Paul Shippey Tone Mandolin

  1. #1
    Registered User Kalasinar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Kent, England
    Posts
    150

    Default Paul Shippey Tone Mandolin

    It's been a very long time since I posted here but I feel I owe Paul a shout out here for the excellent mandolin he recently built for me.

    I've been taking lessons since March 2018 and have been enjoying mandolin immensely. I've been very lucky to find a great teacher, and while I'm not the fastest learner I have noticed improvements in my playing and understanding. I also got a new job last year and in August I realised that I could afford the mandolin I always wanted since I started playing.

    I collected my new Shippey Tone mandolin in person the other week. It was a long drive to Somerset, but a friend kindly came with me and the trip was worth it. I cannot say enough how grateful I am to Paul. Not only for making me this wonderful mandolin and for putting up with my endless emails over the past year, but for making us so welcome in his home. It was a great experience chatting, playing and viewing the workshop.
    Whilst there I also got to try one of his Axe Bouzoukis and heard Paul demonstrate one of his Axe Mandolins. Both extremely powerful instruments with a heck of a lot of volume.

    It still hasn't sunk in that I've finally got this mandolin. The low end is very strong and overall projection is fantastic. It beats my other mandolins way out of the park. Visually it is stunning and everything I asked for. Paul also had the action set up for me perfectly so no further setup was needed when I arrived to collect.

    So all I need to do now is become a better player.

    (I hope Paul doesn't mind my posting his photos of the mandolin here. Honestly he has taken better photos of it than I have).
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20190722_191829.jpg 
Views:	287 
Size:	948.7 KB 
ID:	178653   Click image for larger version. 

Name:	JE0001.jpg 
Views:	267 
Size:	233.4 KB 
ID:	178651   Click image for larger version. 

Name:	JE0002.jpg 
Views:	264 
Size:	229.6 KB 
ID:	178652  

    Paul Shippey Tone Mandolin
    Paul Hathway Octave Mandola
    Montana Lutherie Ranger Mandolin
    Yamaha Stage Custom Drum Kit

  2. The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to Kalasinar For This Useful Post:


  3. #2
    Lord of All Badgers Lord of the Badgers's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    South West UK
    Posts
    1,327

    Default Re: Paul Shippey Tone Mandolin

    Hey - that was my own axe bouzouki Paul has it back on loan to show customers

    I saw your mandolin before you picked it up. Don't worry I didn't play it
    Paul's instruments are insanely easy to play - it will inspire you more and more. Just wish I could afford one so I will have to thin the herd....
    It's totally gorgeous!! Congrats

    Ps Paul has a mandocafe logon so I'm sure he won't mind one bit.
    My name is Rob, and I am Lord of All Badgers

    Tenor Guitars: Acoustic: Mcilroy ASP10T, ‘59 Martin 0-18t. Electric: ‘57 Gibson ETG-150, ‘80s Manson Kestrel
    Mandolins: Davidson f5, A5 "Badgerlin".
    Bouzouki: Paul Shippey Axe
    My band's website

  4. The following members say thank you to Lord of the Badgers for this post:


  5. #3
    Registered User Gunnar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Location
    Balama, Mozambique, Africa, Earth
    Posts
    704

    Default Re: Paul Shippey Tone Mandolin

    Looks awesome! Got video?
    Mandolin: Kentucky KM150
    Other instruments: way too many, and yet, not nearly enough.

    My blog: https://theoffgridmusician.music.blog/
    My YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChF...yWuaTrtB4YORAg
    My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/africanbanjogunnar/
    Free backing tracks:
    https://backingtrackers.wordpress.com/

  6. #4
    Registered User Kalasinar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Kent, England
    Posts
    150

    Default Re: Paul Shippey Tone Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Lord of the Badgers View Post
    Hey - that was my own axe bouzouki Paul has it back on loan to show customers

    I saw your mandolin before you picked it up. Don't worry I didn't play it
    Paul's instruments are insanely easy to play - it will inspire you more and more. Just wish I could afford one so I will have to thin the herd....
    It's totally gorgeous!! Congrats

    Ps Paul has a mandocafe logon so I'm sure he won't mind one bit.
    Hi Rob! I'm glad you're on the forum, thankyou so much for loaning your Axe Bouzouki for my friend to try. I don't play but as he was following my mandolin build and knew Paul also made bouzoukis, he travelled from The Netherlands to come with me. That Axe is a wonderful instrument and it was really generous of you to let others try it, thankyou.

    Yeah his instruments really are easy to play, he had everything set up nicely for me. This is also my first experience with the med/light sets of strings and I really like them. Overall it was an experience in itself to go pick it up and we really had fun. It was all totally worth it despite the seven hour drive home due to traffic!
    Paul Shippey Tone Mandolin
    Paul Hathway Octave Mandola
    Montana Lutherie Ranger Mandolin
    Yamaha Stage Custom Drum Kit

  7. #5
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    NC
    Posts
    4,781

    Default Re: Paul Shippey Tone Mandolin

    Congratulations! That’s a very tastefully appointed and beautiful instrument!
    Chuck

  8. The following members say thank you to CES for this post:


  9. #6
    Registered User Kalasinar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Kent, England
    Posts
    150

    Default Re: Paul Shippey Tone Mandolin

    Gunnar: maybe when I'm a better player. I need to be worthy of this fine instrument first I think!

    CES: thanks! I doubt I'll ever get a custom build again so with Paul's and my teacher's sound advice I made sure I opted for everything I wanted on this one. I'm very happy ^^
    Paul Shippey Tone Mandolin
    Paul Hathway Octave Mandola
    Montana Lutherie Ranger Mandolin
    Yamaha Stage Custom Drum Kit

  10. #7
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    NC
    Posts
    4,781

    Default Re: Paul Shippey Tone Mandolin

    Good choice! And, away with the idea that you need to be “worthy” of it! If I waited until I was worthy to get at least 2 of mine, I’d be playing a Rogue, lol!!
    Chuck

  11. The following members say thank you to CES for this post:


  12. #8
    Registered User Gunnar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Location
    Balama, Mozambique, Africa, Earth
    Posts
    704

    Default Re: Paul Shippey Tone Mandolin

    What Chuck said!
    Mandolin: Kentucky KM150
    Other instruments: way too many, and yet, not nearly enough.

    My blog: https://theoffgridmusician.music.blog/
    My YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChF...yWuaTrtB4YORAg
    My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/africanbanjogunnar/
    Free backing tracks:
    https://backingtrackers.wordpress.com/

  13. The following members say thank you to Gunnar for this post:


  14. #9
    Lord of All Badgers Lord of the Badgers's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    South West UK
    Posts
    1,327

    Default Re: Paul Shippey Tone Mandolin

    Blimey - the amount of instruments i have for my mediocre talent (OK I’ll admit I am a half decent if unprolific songwriter) and you’re saying that about a Shippey Mando :LOL:
    Paul said one of you was coming from the Netherlands; I have driven to & from Vlissingen so I know what it’s like!
    I cannot rate his work enough. For Celtic instruments I put him up with the very best. I’ve played Sobells too, but just love the way Paul designs his more.
    For bluegrass mandolins, then I would probably go American now - though I do love my Davidson F5.
    My name is Rob, and I am Lord of All Badgers

    Tenor Guitars: Acoustic: Mcilroy ASP10T, ‘59 Martin 0-18t. Electric: ‘57 Gibson ETG-150, ‘80s Manson Kestrel
    Mandolins: Davidson f5, A5 "Badgerlin".
    Bouzouki: Paul Shippey Axe
    My band's website

  15. The following members say thank you to Lord of the Badgers for this post:


  16. #10

    Default Re: Paul Shippey Tone Mandolin

    That's a beautiful instrument. I bet it sounds great.

  17. The following members say thank you to Ron McMillan for this post:


  18. #11
    Registered User Kalasinar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Kent, England
    Posts
    150

    Default Re: Paul Shippey Tone Mandolin

    Thanks for the encouragement everyone. This mandolin, aside from being everything I wanted, is a great incentive to always be better. I've hardly put it down since I brought it home. And the way it is set up, it's just so easy to play.

    Rob: yes my friend travelled all the way over from The Netherlands to come with me and try your excellent Bouzouki. I'm located on the south-east coast. Usually the trip to Somerset would take around four hours. Took us about five with rest stops included on the way up and we stayed at a hotel overnight. Went to Paul's in the morning, had a wonderful time, but then we just encountered so much congestion on the way back to my home. Typical when all I wanted to do was play the Shippey!
    Paul Shippey Tone Mandolin
    Paul Hathway Octave Mandola
    Montana Lutherie Ranger Mandolin
    Yamaha Stage Custom Drum Kit

  19. The following members say thank you to Kalasinar for this post:


  20. #12
    Peace. Love. Mandolin. Gelsenbury's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Canterbury, Kent
    Posts
    838
    Blog Entries
    6

    Default Re: Paul Shippey Tone Mandolin

    Wow! It really looks great. Congratulations!

  21. The following members say thank you to Gelsenbury for this post:


  22. #13
    Lord of All Badgers Lord of the Badgers's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    South West UK
    Posts
    1,327

    Default Re: Paul Shippey Tone Mandolin

    I think I'm gonna have to thin the heard out LOL. Some hard decisions to be made but I want one so bad now!
    I've played a lot of his instruments - a completely jaw dropping tenor mandola for example, and a 9 string artist prototype (v interesting - can't say who it's for lol). And yes the axe mandolin too. I wouldn't know where to start... My heart says mandola cause I love C tuned instruments though I'd quite like it to be B-flat tuned. It suits my voice. Ahem. I don't play in sessions as you can tell.
    But those tone mandolins in 8 or 10 str are soooo nice
    My name is Rob, and I am Lord of All Badgers

    Tenor Guitars: Acoustic: Mcilroy ASP10T, ‘59 Martin 0-18t. Electric: ‘57 Gibson ETG-150, ‘80s Manson Kestrel
    Mandolins: Davidson f5, A5 "Badgerlin".
    Bouzouki: Paul Shippey Axe
    My band's website

  23. #14
    Registered User Kalasinar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Kent, England
    Posts
    150

    Default Re: Paul Shippey Tone Mandolin

    Gelsenbury: Thanks! Funnily enough my friend and I went to Hobgoblin in Canterbury the day before we travelled to Somerset. Because my friend wanted to try as many bouzoukis as possible, I got some quality time to spend playing various mandolins in there. I was actually really impressed with a Kentucky KM-272 in there but of course the whole time I was thinking about the Shippey I was so close to getting.

    Lord of the Badgers: I know your dilemma. I have just bought my first house and now I have the Shippey I ought to thin the herd. I have an Eastman MD504 and a Weber Aspen I need to decide between. Which should go and which should stay... it's a real problem and I still haven't made up my mind.
    The Tone series are stunning. I can't remember when I first encountered Paul's work, sometime around 2016 - I was very impressed and this Tone became that typical dream mandolin I thought I could never afford. I see in your signature you have a Shippey Octave mandolin which I bet has an absolutely beautiful sound and resonance. I recently picked up a second-hand Hathway Octave Mandola which is lovely. I've completely fallen for the lower register though the scale length is still proving to be a big learning curve for me. And yes I saw the 9-string Artist prototype, a beautiful instrument indeed and great concept!
    Paul Shippey Tone Mandolin
    Paul Hathway Octave Mandola
    Montana Lutherie Ranger Mandolin
    Yamaha Stage Custom Drum Kit

  24. #15
    Lord of All Badgers Lord of the Badgers's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    South West UK
    Posts
    1,327

    Default Re: Paul Shippey Tone Mandolin

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	34122D47-7CAA-4F59-825F-2D1DC11CC692.jpeg 
Views:	162 
Size:	61.5 KB 
ID:	178869

    My name is Rob, and I am Lord of All Badgers

    Tenor Guitars: Acoustic: Mcilroy ASP10T, ‘59 Martin 0-18t. Electric: ‘57 Gibson ETG-150, ‘80s Manson Kestrel
    Mandolins: Davidson f5, A5 "Badgerlin".
    Bouzouki: Paul Shippey Axe
    My band's website

  25. #16

    Default Re: Paul Shippey Tone Mandolin

    Having played my Paul Shippey mandolin for over 18 years I can vouch for how good they are and how good a bloke Paul is to deal with.

    Dave H
    Eastman 615 mandola
    2011 Weber Bitteroot A5
    2012 Weber Bitteroot F5
    Eastman MD 915V
    Gibson F9
    2016 Capek ' Bob ' standard scale tenor banjo
    Ibanez Artist 5 string
    2001 Paul Shippey oval hole

  26. #17
    Registered User Kalasinar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Kent, England
    Posts
    150

    Default Re: Paul Shippey Tone Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Lord of the Badgers View Post
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	34122D47-7CAA-4F59-825F-2D1DC11CC692.jpeg 
Views:	162 
Size:	61.5 KB 
ID:	178869

    That's gorgeous Rob, congrats. I distinctly remember seeing that one on his page as it has that extra sound hole on the side. Very nice!
    Paul Shippey Tone Mandolin
    Paul Hathway Octave Mandola
    Montana Lutherie Ranger Mandolin
    Yamaha Stage Custom Drum Kit

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •