upgrade thoughts

[NYmando]

I’ve noticed references to a Silver Angel “Econo” model, but I don’t see it mentioned on the Silver Angel website, or maybe I missed it?

[Br1ck]

Every year for the last two or three, Ken has offered a dozen or so Econos to be delivered in the summer into the fall, but people have ordered them directly. I guess it's not something he wants to advertise.

[Charles E.]

This used Silver Angel "El Toro" just showed up in the classifieds...

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/148371#148371

Right in your price point.

NFI

[NYmando]

I’m already on it.

[Br1ck]

That El Toro has a lot going for it. Fully bound and with quirky look, you aren't going to be part of the crowd with that one. For what you want to play. it would be perfect.

[NYmando]

Pulled the trigger on that an hour ago. We’ll see what shows up on my doorstep next week!

[Don Roon]

Pulled the trigger on that an hour ago. We’ll see what shows up on my doorstep next week!

Congratulations...Post a review.

[soliver]

EXCITING!!!.... another SA owner joining the fray!

[Charles E.]

Pulled the trigger on that an hour ago. We’ll see what shows up on my doorstep next week!

Looks like it is still listed?

I hope you will have it soon. It looks like a lot of mandolin for the money.

[Br1ck]

Silverangels in general are smack in the center of the whole tonal mandolin spectrum. Certainly warmer than most f hole carved instruments, they can still hang for bluegrass, but perhaps not be the first choice for that. But for fiddle tunes, celtic, jazz and old time, they rock. You will most likely love it, and the tonal upgrade will put a smile on your face.

[NYmando]

After hearing the raves- and having a nice chat with the friendly Ken Ratcliff - i’m really looking forward to trying it. More than I’ve ever spent on an instrument, but we’ll see!

[Br1ck]

The improvement will be huge, and from here on out any upgrade will be incremental for a lot more money. I went from my Eastman 505 to my SA and the difference instantly wiped out my memory of the price.

[Doug Brock]

San Jose

If you were to see an MT foe $1500, don’t think, act.

Yep, though that low a price would have me looking for the catch. $2k or a bit under seem pretty standard for MT’s in good shape.

[Deblues]

So how do you like your Silver Angel mandolin? Just curious, it looked like it would be a real nice one.

[Mark Gunter]

Yep, though that low a price would have me looking for the catch. $2k or a bit under seem pretty standard for MT’s in good shape.

Bought my MT for $1,500 from a musician friend several years ago; sold it in January through the Classifieds here for $1,600 in about two hours. It was an incredible instrument, very nice IMO

[pheffernan]

Bought my MT for $1,500 from a musician friend several years ago; sold it in January through the Classifieds here for $1,600 in about two hours. It was an incredible instrument, very nice IMO

Bought my MT for $1600 in 2013 and sold it locally in 2016 for $1500 without fees or issues. Of course, the price of new instruments has gone up since then, which might be impacting the secondary market.

[NYmando]

So how do you like your Silver Angel mandolin? Just curious, it looked like it would be a real nice one.

Oh, I wish I could tell you! I'mm still waiting for it. There was a delay at Carter's in getting it shipped, and then they ran into the holidays. To their credit once it got close to the holidays they wanted to wait until they knew it wouldn't get stuck on a a truck somewhere in the midst of holiday shipping, so it didn't get out until yesterday. I'll post next week. Thanks for asking.

[NYmando]

Since there was a lot of good feedback I thought I should share the result. I think I've discovered that I don't like bright-sounding mandolins. This one was probably in the middle of tonal range, as someone suggested it might be, who knows, but I couldn't get myself to fall in love with it over a couple of days playing it. It's a beautiful instrument, and will probably be back in Classified after it returns to Carver. For now I'm sticking with my humble JBovier.