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Thread: Cool mandolins at Schoenberg in Tiburon, Ca

  1. #1
    Registered User CWRoyds's Avatar
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    Default Cool mandolins at Schoenberg in Tiburon, Ca

    Hey All,

    Stopped by Schoenberg in Tiburon, Ca today to play some mandolins.
    They had an amazing assortment hanging up, as usual. (See photos).

    They had a Dudenbostel, a Giacomel, a Gilchrist, a Kimble, an Altman, and a bunch of old Gibsons, all in a row, and those were just the ones hanging together in the back of the store.
    It is cool to get to try them all out side by side.
    I have played a lot of these before, but each time I hear them slightly differently.

    The coolest one today was an old D'Angelico mandolin.
    Beautiful thing, with a really interesting tone.
    Sounds different from an F5 or F4.
    More like if you take an arch top guitar tone and shrunk it down.
    Very very very cool instrument.

    I also liked the Kimble.
    I have never played a Kimble, and I liked it.
    Great bluegrass axe.
    It honked like a goose.

    Anyhoo, just thought you might like to see some cool instruments.



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    Mandolins: Northfield 5-Bar Artist Model "Old Dog", J Bovier F5 Special, Gibson A-00 (1940)
    Fiddles: 1920s Strad copy, 1930s Strad copy, Liu Xi T20, Liu Xi T19+ Dark.
    Guitars: Taylor 514c (1995), Gibson Southern Jumbo (1940s), Gibson L-48 (1940s), Les Paul Custom (1978), Fender Strat (Black/RWFB) (1984), Fender Strat (Candy Apple Red/MFB) (1985).
    Sitars: Hiren Roy KP (1980s), Naskar (1970s), Naskar (1960s).
    Misc: 8 Course Lute (L.K.Brown)

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  3. #2
    Registered User darylcrisp's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cool mandolins at Schoenberg in Tiburon, Ca

    that sounded like an excellent day well spent. loved the pictures, and i never knew D'Angelico made mandos, it looked classy.

    what were some prices of those you mentioned?

    what'da think of the Altman?

    d

  4. #3
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    Default Re: Cool mandolins at Schoenberg in Tiburon, Ca

    Quote Originally Posted by CWRoyds View Post
    Hey All,

    Stopped by Schoenberg in Tiburon, Ca today to play some mandolins.
    They had an amazing assortment hanging up, as usual. (See photos).

    They had a Dudenbostel, a Giacomel, a Gilchrist, a Kimble, an Altman, and a bunch of old Gibsons, all in a row, and those were just the ones hanging together in the back of the store.
    It is cool to get to try them all out side by side.
    I have played a lot of these before, but each time I hear them slightly differently.

    The coolest one today was an old D'Angelico mandolin.
    Beautiful thing, with a really interesting tone.
    Sounds different from an F5 or F4.
    More like if you take an arch top guitar tone and shrunk it down.
    Very very very cool instrument.

    I also liked the Kimble.
    I have never played a Kimble, and I liked it.
    Great bluegrass axe.
    It honked like a goose.

    Anyhoo, just thought you might like to see some cool instruments.



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    If you had to pick one that your ears liked best, which one would it be ? Thanks for posting, great to see such wonderful mandolins !

  5. #4
    Registered User CWRoyds's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cool mandolins at Schoenberg in Tiburon, Ca

    Daryl,
    I think the Altman and Dudenbostel A style were both around 10K.
    The Giacomel was around 12K.
    The Gilchrist oval hole was 13K
    The Kimble was around 5K.

    I don’t remember what the D’Angekico was going for, but I think it might have had an “Inquire” instead of a price.
    There were tons of vintage Gibson’s, some quite pricey.

    As for the Altman, I really liked it.
    It is a cool mandolin, and was beautifully crafted.
    I think it is from his Loar series, and was made for Mike Marshall.
    I actually didn’t love it the last time I went in, but this time it was much more interesting.
    It was one of the louder mandolins on the rack.
    Good chop, and nice sharp tone.
    I thought it was very good, but I didn’t lust after it.
    Someone else might love it.

    The mandolins I liked best today were the D’angelico, and the Kimble.
    The D’Angelico is an amazing instrument.
    I would love to own one, but it is its own thing and I would have to have a more traditional mandolin too.
    Great for Jazz.

    The Kimble was fun to play.
    It had a loud honking tone
    I don’t mean that in a bad way.
    It would be great for bluegrass, as it is an aggressive kind of tone.

    What one would I take home for me?
    Hard to say, as they are all cool for different reasons and for different kinds of tones.
    Since I have a nice straight F5, I would probably take home the D’Angelico, because it is just too cool, and sounds really interesting
    The tone is open all the way up the neck.

    If I had no mandolin already, I would probably take the Giacomel.
    It is a crazy cool instrument.
    Plays like a dream, and sounds so cool. I was most comfortable on this.

    I would also be happy with the Dudenbostel, and the Altman.

    One big surprise was playing a Gibson Super 400 Archtop acoustic.
    No pickups, just a box built for volume.
    It is the loudest guitar I have ever played.
    Unbelievable.
    Mandolins: Northfield 5-Bar Artist Model "Old Dog", J Bovier F5 Special, Gibson A-00 (1940)
    Fiddles: 1920s Strad copy, 1930s Strad copy, Liu Xi T20, Liu Xi T19+ Dark.
    Guitars: Taylor 514c (1995), Gibson Southern Jumbo (1940s), Gibson L-48 (1940s), Les Paul Custom (1978), Fender Strat (Black/RWFB) (1984), Fender Strat (Candy Apple Red/MFB) (1985).
    Sitars: Hiren Roy KP (1980s), Naskar (1970s), Naskar (1960s).
    Misc: 8 Course Lute (L.K.Brown)

  6. #5
    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cool mandolins at Schoenberg in Tiburon, Ca

    Whats the story with the last Fern with blocks that's in your pix? That one is not on his site yet, just curious.

  7. #6

    Default Re: Cool mandolins at Schoenberg in Tiburon, Ca

    The fern with block inlays would certainly draw me in!

    Having played several Kimbles and owning one,an A5,I can say I really liked every one.

    Schoenberg sells Asturias ukes that are truly outstanding(Martin clones). I bought a mahogany soprano and a koa concert uke
    from there. Best ukes I have played.

  8. #7
    Registered User CWRoyds's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cool mandolins at Schoenberg in Tiburon, Ca

    Quote Originally Posted by William Smith View Post
    Whats the story with the last Fern with blocks that's in your pix? That one is not on his site yet, just curious.
    Unfortunately I don’t remember the specifics of that fern.
    I think I remember it being mid 30s, but could be wrong.
    Mandolins: Northfield 5-Bar Artist Model "Old Dog", J Bovier F5 Special, Gibson A-00 (1940)
    Fiddles: 1920s Strad copy, 1930s Strad copy, Liu Xi T20, Liu Xi T19+ Dark.
    Guitars: Taylor 514c (1995), Gibson Southern Jumbo (1940s), Gibson L-48 (1940s), Les Paul Custom (1978), Fender Strat (Black/RWFB) (1984), Fender Strat (Candy Apple Red/MFB) (1985).
    Sitars: Hiren Roy KP (1980s), Naskar (1970s), Naskar (1960s).
    Misc: 8 Course Lute (L.K.Brown)

  9. #8

    Default Re: Cool mandolins at Schoenberg in Tiburon, Ca

    It looks Bush-y.

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  11. #9
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    Default Re: Cool mandolins at Schoenberg in Tiburon, Ca

    I love Schoenberg's! They are really fine people too. Thanks for posting, it makes me want to go!

  12. #10
    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cool mandolins at Schoenberg in Tiburon, Ca

    Yes it looks mid 30's by the burst, construction and the Fern and its properly placed also, many weren't! I was just curious as it has a load of pearl blocks from end to end of the board and wonder if it's a custom job? The block starts at the first fret and that is usually in 34-36 onward on some F-5's. But I never seen one with block inlays all the way at the end of the board? Neat and very interesting to me anyway.

    Looking at that one again I see it has worm under the gear tuners like the late 20's F-5's so I wonder about this one, I think I'll have to shout out to Eric Shoenberg just out of my curiosity!
    Last edited by William Smith; Sep-14-2019 at 4:04pm.

  13. #11

    Default Re: Cool mandolins at Schoenberg in Tiburon, Ca

    I was at the store yesterday, as I am traveling for business in SF

    First , highly recommended excursion for SF visitors if you have. Scar. Cool and relaxing place: I came to the Bay Area often in the past but never been in Tiburon before!

    The store looks like taken from a history book. Lovely chaotic setup. That Giacomel looked super sweet indeed

    Thanks for the forum for letting me discover an amazing new world !

  14. #12
    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cool mandolins at Schoenberg in Tiburon, Ca

    I ust looked at his website and see he has a 28 F-5 soon to be listed, it must be the one in your last photo? It must have a later board though. It looks nice from your photo, can't wait to see some more pix of that one!

  15. #13
    Registered User Denman John's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cool mandolins at Schoenberg in Tiburon, Ca

    That’s a nice selection of mandolins to try out and compare. The Kimble and Giacomel caught my eye!

    Thanks for sharing
    ... not all those who wander are lost ...

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