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Thread: Jethro's 2-Point

  1. #1
    Brentrup Evangelist Larry S Sherman's Avatar
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    I really like Jethro Burns' 2 Point Gibson oval hole, and would like to see if I could get a good smaller luthier to build something similar.

    Does anyone have any good pictures of his 2-point, or know what the specs were?

    Any help would be appreciated!

    Thanks, Larry

  2. #2
    Registered User John Flynn's Avatar
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    I don't have the specs, but a couple of leads: Dan McRostie, who makes Red Diamond mandolins, has made one for bluegrass star Don Rigsby. Also, Alvarez used to make a pretty faithful knock-off. I played one recently and it was pretty nice. You can find them used from time to time.

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    Registered User f5loar's Avatar
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    I would think a standard late 50's to mid 60's Gibson A5 model would be an easy re-do. A new fingerboard, new multi-binding,refinish, headstock re-do to F5 style and you're done! I think it was still a short necker not long neck. The extended fingerboard made it look longer.
    These run from $1500 to $2500. I'd look for a beat up since you got to refinish it to get the solid red stain.

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    Registered User jefflester's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by (f5loar @ Sep. 02 2005, 01:48)
    These run from $1500 to $2500. I'd look for a beat up since you got to refinish it to get the solid red stain.
    They don't seem to pop up very often though. I've only seen 1 in the classifieds in the last ~2 years and it had a pickup and volume knob installed on the top. Never seen one on E-bay, though I don't look there as often.

  5. #5

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    I think Rigel makes a Jethro model.

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    Registered User PlayerOf8's Avatar
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    IF I were going to have anyone make a copy of Mr. B's mandolin it would be Jim Triggs.I have the Alvarez copy and a 1960 A5. The Alvarez actually plays a lot better. Only Jethro's had block inlays on the neck. The last one I saw for sale was $2900. The Alvarez was under $1000.

    G

  7. #7
    two t's and one hyphen fatt-dad's Avatar
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    HERE is the Alvarez version of the 2-point (albet not in red). I just sold it and it will have a new happy home.

    f-d
    ¡papá gordo ain’t no madre flaca!

    '20 A3, '30 L-1, '97 914, 2012 Cohen A5, 2012 Muth A5, '14 OM28A

  8. #8
    Brentrup Evangelist Larry S Sherman's Avatar
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    I'm sure that Jim Triggs would do a great job, but 10K range is more than I can do. I was thinking more along the lines of a Pomeroy. Don's F4's look great and it's only a slight stretch to get to the 2-point. He has all kinds of reds to choose from too.

    I'd love to know what Jethro's mando was made of-I suppose it was maple back/sides, spruce top, ebony fretboard, block inlays with pearl blocks, with tone bar bracing. I would like to give the builder as much specs as possible.

    I was attracted to the Rigel Jethro model too. Maybe there will be a few up at the Reigelfest later this month in VT?



    Thanks, Larry

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    Chief Moderator/Shepherd Ted Eschliman's Avatar
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    The Rigel Jethro is both an homage to the original instrument of the Great One, yet some interesting departures...
    Block inlay, yes, excellent string to string balance, but notice the asymmetrical two-point shape. The Rigel includes an internal piezo pickup.
    Also, the "F" hole is more the standard fare, although an oval-hole could certainly be special ordered. Generally, you'd want the projection of the "F" in the environments you are likely to play this kind of music in.
    Ted Eschliman

    Author, Getting Into Jazz Mandolin

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    I was inspired by Jethro's Florentine 2 point when I ordered a Lawrence Smart. I opted for f holes.
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    Here's a picture of a Jethro tribute mandolin that I recently finished.

    Will Kimble
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  12. The following members say thank you to Will Kimble for this post:


  13. #12
    Registered User jefflester's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by (LARRYDATA @ Sep. 02 2005, 09:38)
    I was thinking more along the lines of a Pomeroy. Don's F4's look great and it's only a slight stretch to get to the 2-point. He has all kinds of reds to choose from too.
    Those same thoughts have crossed my mind as well.

    Bill Bussman could probably do a good version. Just balance out the points on the C#.

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    Hey Will...mighty, mighty cool!!! We have been experimenting but it is not a high priority for us. It is quite a bit of work unless we build all new jigs and tooling for it. Our work load is heavy enough with all we build that it probably will not happen real soon. Darn.. I love that model.
    Have a Great Day!
    Joe Vest

  15. #14
    Registered User PlayerOf8's Avatar
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    Joe
    Gibson would make a lot of players happy if the old style A5 went back into production. I tried to custom order one five years ago but I was turned down due to the work load the custom shop already had. It was Nashville who sent me to Triggs.

    George

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    I was honored to be allowed to play a Jethro when I visited Rigel's shop this June. It is one sweet mando! Even though it looks like a traditionally built mando, it is built in the same manner as all Rigels (see their website). The result is beautiful with a very lively sound. Peter and Pete were very hospitable and let me try all the mandos on hand. I still can't decide which one I want more!
    RK

  17. #16

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    I had the pleasure of seeing Will's Jethro model in the white and again when it was finished, its a great one!

  18. #17
    two t's and one hyphen fatt-dad's Avatar
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    Gruhn has one for sale right now. Go to their web page and look at their mandolins for sale. For the life of me I can't get their url to work on this message. Start at www.gruhn.com and go from there - but it's real pretty.
    They want $3,000.00 for it.

    fatt nothing-in-it-for-me dad



    ¡papá gordo ain’t no madre flaca!

    '20 A3, '30 L-1, '97 914, 2012 Cohen A5, 2012 Muth A5, '14 OM28A

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    Neil Dean has gotten some good coverage here, and he's making some pretty 2-pointers.
    Neil Dean discussion

    Neil Dean website

    NFI on my part.
    Fiddles
    Arches F4 / Newson F5
    Crump B1 / Old Wave GOM

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    There's this Duff on Ebay. Looks like a good price for a Duff.

    <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Mandolin-by-Paul-Duff-A5-style-twin-point_W0QQitemZ7349928362QQcategoryZ623QQrdZ1QQcmd ZVie
    wItem" target="_blank">Duff 2-pt.</a>



    Fiddles
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    Crump B1 / Old Wave GOM

  21. #20
    Brentrup Evangelist Larry S Sherman's Avatar
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    The A-5 on Gruhns looks nice, but I'd like to go with a small luthier, and I'm currently leaning towards this one from Dale:



    I don't quite know why but this one really speaks to me. I'm currently trying to decide between oval hole/X-braced or f-holes/tone-bars.

    This mando definetly says "jazz" more than many I've seen, and I've heard a lot of good things about Dale's work here on the Cafe. The only other builder I'm considering right now is Don at Pomeroy, but he doesn't currently have a 2-point in his line (although I'm sure he could do a great job).

    Larry

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    The ultimate 2-point was the Levin Aristokrat:

    http://www.vintage-guitars.se/1948_Levin_Model_320_
    Aristokrat_203374.htm

    esp. the line that was reintroduced in 1968. My example was blonde, why didn't I keep it? It had a drier and fuller
    example than this sunburst, which sounds more like
    a bicycle bell.



    In 1969 I played an A5(0) at Fred's Music in Baltimore
    and the owner told me that was the model Jethro played.
    So what, my mando had more and better sound, for anything
    I played in those days. I those days quality mandolins
    and guitars were almost impossible to come by in the USA.




  23. #22
    Registered User jefflester's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by (fatt-dad @ Sep. 13 2005, 12:55)
    Gruhn has one for sale right now. #Go to their web page and look at their mandolins for sale. #For the life of me I can't get their url to work on this message. #Start at www.gruhn.com and go from there - but it's real pretty.
    They want $3,000.00 for it.
    Frames are harder to link directly.

    Looks very nice

  24. #23

    Default Re: Jethro&#39;s 2-Point

    [QUOTE=Larry S Sherman;182218]I really like Jethro Burns' 2 Point Gibson oval hole, and would like to see if I could get a good smaller luthier to build something similar.

    Does anyone have any good pictures of his 2-point, or know what the specs were?

    Any help would be appreciated!

    Thanks, Larry

  25. #24

    Default Re: Jethro&#39;s 2-Point

    Please email me as I have the photo with the specs directly from a Gibson brochure.
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  26. #25
    formerly Philphool Phil Goodson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Jethro&#39;s 2-Point

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Oromaner View Post
    Please email me as I have the photo with the specs directly from a Gibson brochure.
    Steve,
    Did you notice that this thread is 14 years old?
    Phil

    “Sharps/Flats” “Accidentals”

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