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Thread: My new mando! <3

  1. #1
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    Default My new mando! <3

    Hey all! I just wanted to share some photos of my new mandolin. Lou had made some special 40th anniversary models back around 2014 and I'm happy to say I was able to get my hands on one. I can't say enough good things about it. The fit and finish is perfect, the balance wonderful, and most importantly the sound is angelic. I also have a 1997 Stiver F style that I adore. It's seen a lot of play and aint very pretty anymore but it truly is a special sounding mandolin. I can also so this about the new A style. They both have that core Stiver sound but also have enough of a difference to cover all bases in all situations.

    Lou had built 15 anniversary models in total. Here's what he made...
    14 F styles
    1 two point
    1 A style

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    Best,
    Dem

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  3. #2
    Registered User John Bertotti's Avatar
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    Default Re: My new mando! <3

    Looks great what's the tone like?
    My avatar is of my OldWave Oval A

    Creativity is just doing something wierd and finding out others like it.

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  5. #3
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    Default Re: My new mando! &lt;3

    I'd say it's on the darker side tonally with extraordinary mids. I thought my other one had loads of sustain but this one actually might have it beat. Perfect for classical music...

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    Quote Originally Posted by John Bertotti View Post
    Looks great what's the tone like?
    I'd say it's on the darker side tonally, with extraordinary mids. I thought my other one had loads of sustain but this one might actually have it beat. Perfect for classical music...

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  7. #4
    Registered User John Bertotti's Avatar
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    Default Re: My new mando! <3

    This may seem like an odd observation but my impresion looking at the A was it would be a darker instrument. I don't have any reason to think that.
    My avatar is of my OldWave Oval A

    Creativity is just doing something wierd and finding out others like it.

  8. #5
    Registered User Kevin Briggs's Avatar
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    Default Re: My new mando! <3

    Man, that looks awesome. Congrats! Any sound clippies?
    Hamlett Two-Point
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  10. #6
    Registered User Denman John's Avatar
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    Default Re: My new mando! <3

    I’m a sucker for nice A styles and that is a beautiful looking mandolin!

    I’ve heard, and my son has played Adrian Gross’ Stiver, and it’s a really good one. His also has pinky wear like your F style. Isn’t it wonderful that there are so many great builders out there!?

    I imagine that there is some familiar similarities tonality wise, but is there enough difference to keep you interested? How do the necks compare between the two? I’ve often thought/wondered that if were to get a second mandolin to go along with my Kimble A oval, Will Kimble would be at the top of the list. It would be an A style with F holes. Hopefully there would be enough difference in the tone to be pleasing, while still having some similarities in voicing and feel. I understand why people stick to a builder they like.

    Enjoy it in good health!
    John
    ... not all those who wander are lost ...

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  12. #7
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    Default Re: My new mando! <3

    Man, looks like you finally got your unicorn! 1 of 1!! That back is killer...

    Congrats...hope your family is doing well! (After the “search” thread I feel like I know you guys at least a tiny bit)
    Chuck

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    Registered User Eric F.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: My new mando! <3

    That A is speaking to something deep inside me!

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    Registered User Randi Gormley's Avatar
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    Default Re: My new mando! <3

    Lovely, lovely instrument!
    --------------------------------
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  18. #10
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    Default Re: My new mando! <3

    That is a beauty - congrats! For some reason I keep thinking I'd like to try one of his two-points. I will second the request for sound clips!

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  20. #11

    Default Re: My new mando! <3

    Its a beauty! I wonder what it sounds like?

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  22. #12
    Registered User Gunnar's Avatar
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    Default Re: My new mando! <3

    Congrats! I don't think I can add anything that hasn't yet been said
    Mandolin: Kentucky KM150
    Other instruments: way too many, and yet, not nearly enough.

    My blog: https://theoffgridmusician.music.blog/
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  24. #13
    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
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    Default Re: My new mando! <3

    Very Nice, Lou's mandolins are very popular around my area as he lives about 2 hours south of my place.

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  26. #14
    two t's and one hyphen fatt-dad's Avatar
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    Default Re: My new mando! <3

    My Stiver was great! I'm sure that's a fine instrument!

    f-d
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  28. #15
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    Default Re: My new mando! <3

    Congrats Dem. I’d love to hear some comparisons clips or video.
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  30. #16
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    Default Re: My new mando! <3

    Quote Originally Posted by Kevin Briggs View Post
    Man, that looks awesome. Congrats! Any sound clippies?
    Thanks Kevin! Yeh I'll record a video soon...

  31. #17
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    Default Re: My new mando! &lt;3

    Quote Originally Posted by Denman John View Post
    I’m a sucker for nice A styles and that is a beautiful looking mandolin!

    I’ve heard, and my son has played Adrian Gross’ Stiver, and it’s a really good one. His also has pinky wear like your F style. Isn’t it wonderful that there are so many great builders out there!?

    I imagine that there is some familiar similarities tonality wise, but is there enough difference to keep you interested? How do the necks compare between the two? I’ve often thought/wondered that if were to get a second mandolin to go along with my Kimble A oval, Will Kimble would be at the top of the list. It would be an A style with F holes. Hopefully there would be enough difference in the tone to be pleasing, while still having some similarities in voicing and feel. I understand why people stick to a builder they like.

    Enjoy it in good health!
    John
    Thanks Sir. I'm a sucker for A styles too...

    Yes! Adrians Stiver is a beast. I love his mandolin!

    Is there enough difference to keep me interested?- Absolutely! they are very different. The F has a lot more miles on it so the tone is more mature but the A is not far behind. It has more sustain which I like and find very useful. My Stiver F is still my #1 but we'll see how the A develops with time...

    Also, I love Will Kimble's mandolins as well. He's SUCH a good builder!

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by Old Growth View Post
    Its a beauty! I wonder what it sounds like?

    I'll get a video recorded and throw it on here!

  32. #18
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    Default Re: My new mando! &lt;3

    Beautiful ! Any sound clips forthcoming ?

  33. #19
    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
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    Default Re: My new mando! <3

    I played a gig last night and the dobro player also switched to mandolin while I played guitar and he didn't want to play my 24 Loar F-5 but he played his Stiver A model, and its one fine mandolin-he had an F-5 Stiver but liked the A so much better he sold the F-5 to another friend for a steal a few years ago for 3G and it was like new as he commissioned Lou to build both the A-5 and F-5 for him at the same time. His A-5 Stiver has a pickup somewhere in it? His A is very responsive, bright with a killer mid range!
    Like I said in our neck of the woods Stivers are well thought of and if you go to any of the small music fests from here to around Pittsburgh they're are loads of Stivers, I once counted about 12 that were in players hands! Lou can also play real well and his personal mandolin is an early 80's A model/hybrid as it has an F-5 style peg head-it may be the best Stiver I've ever played/heard! I believe Lou told me he only made two like his?
    Lou is also a great repairmen, he's done a few re-frets for me and ended up setting the neck on an old beat up 30's Gibson A-1/A-50 I picked up cheap, I converted by taking the back off, re graduating the top and back plates, fixing some cracks, I also took down the 2x4 tone bars, I bought a Siminoff A-5 snake neck but had Lou set the neck as I didn't want to botch that part of the job as I'm not too comfortable setting a neck, A café member has had it for a long time now and loves it, the bridge is a bit north of the middle of the F-hole points but it sure doesn't hurt the tone/volume!

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