what about a Northfield F2S? Brendan O'Regan had one once. Tried it and loved it! But the neck as a little too thin for my tastes:
https://www.elderly.com/products/nor...hole-with-case
I would go for an Ellis/Pava, Girouard or Northfield over the oval Collings, but that's just my humble opinion. I'm not a fan of the Collings ovals.
Upper tier as in expensive? I would look seriously at Mike Black of Lawrence, Kansas, who specialises in faithful Gibson A2 and A4 reproductions. I have one of his A4s and I am very happy with it. On this side of the pond there are a few very good oval hole carved top mando makers serving the 'celtic' market.
My current favourites are Paul Shippey in SW England and Rory Dowling, Scotland, who makes the Taran; hard to go wrong with either.
Anglocelt
mainly Irish & Scottish but open to all dance-oriented melodic music.
Mandos: Gibson A2, Janish A5, Krishot F5, Taran Springwell, Shippey, Weber Elite A5; TM and OM by Dave Gregory, J E Dallas, Tobin & Davidson.
I've got a Collings MT2-O, and second all of these comments. I used to own an Ellis F5 Deluxe and it was supurb (way beyond my skill set), but I've never played one of his A4s. They are spectactularly pretty, but then again so is the Collings. It is crystal clear and sweet with great sustain and an amazing rhythm strum. The Pava sounds more like an Ellis than anything else to my ears, and it's got kind of a similar vibe, albeit with less sustain and a woodier tone. As always, just play everything and go with what you love.
Sale pending it says. Gilchrist Model 1
Jim
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19th Century Tunes
Playing lately:
1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1
Jeff Rohrbough
"Listen louder, play softer"
My vote: Pava/Ellis.
Eastman 605, Strad-o-lin, and Kentucky 300e mandolins.
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For some reason, Mike started a whole new thread for this topic. It was he who pulled the trigger on this Gilchrist Model 1 and started another thread here.
Further on the topic of oval hole mandolins: the main thing I have noticed is the difference between what truly should be called hybrid ovals, like the Collings and Girouard ovals (longer neck and x-braced) vs. other ovals built along the general lines of early 20th century Gibsons. The most frustrating thing for me is that often the makers don't post in their specs the style of bracing (Collings does on their site and so does Girouard).
There is a difference in tone and projection for these different mandolins. I have played both and have liked them but for different reasons.
Jim
My Stream on Soundcloud
19th Century Tunes
Playing lately:
1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1
2018 Girouard Concert oval A
2015 JP "Whitechapel" tenor banjo
2018 Frank Tate tenor guitar
1969 Martin 00-18
my Youtube channel
The Gil at TME (now sale pending) is one number from the one I owned. I really thought that thing was bottled lightning, just unbelievably good-sounding. Hard to put back in its case it sounded so good. I eventually sold it when I found a Gil I thought I liked better, but I sometimes second-guess myself! And I do believe the Kimbles are pretty close if you can find one.
Here she is. Love it love it love it!
'20 Ellis A5 Tradition, '09 Gilchrist Model 1, “July 9” Red Diamond F-5, '12 Duff F-5, '19 Collings MT2, ’24 A2-Z, ’24 F-2, '13 Collings mandola, '82 D-35, Gibson Keb Mo. http://www.bucktownrevue.com
"your posts ... very VERY opinionated ...basing your opinion/recommendations ... pot calling ...kettle... black...sarcasm...comment ...unwarranted...unnecessary...."
2018 Girouard Concert oval A
2015 JP "Whitechapel" tenor banjo
2018 Frank Tate tenor guitar
1969 Martin 00-18
my Youtube channel
Mike, just listened to the clip on your Gil and that mandolin simply could not sound better to my ears! Fat mids, massive clarity up the neck, huge power. Wow!
the best mandolin i every played was an apitius oval hole two point body they had at the 12th frett in toronto. only $5000 cad, but i didn't have it at the time. it was sweet, loud , rich, punchy, and balanced all over the range. very fancy appointments as well. if i ever saw another i'd move mountains to get it.
i have played a couple of ellis mandolins. all fs, they were fantastic. i found collings to be very respectable tone as well, and i have an old wave that i like a lot but it's not top of the top.
personally i like the woody tone of gibson A from the teens and twenties, but that is partly the aged woody tone.
Sounds like you got a good one there, Mike.
2010 Heiden A5, 2020 Pomeroy oval A, 2013 Kentucky KM1000 F5, 2012 Girouard A Mandola w ff holes, 2001 Old Wave A oval octave
http://HillbillyChamberMusic.bandcamp.com
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1924 Gibson A Snakehead
2005 National RM-1
2007 Hester A5
2009 Passernig A5
2015 Black A2-z
2010 Black GBOM
2017 Poe Scout
2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
2018 Vessel TM5
2019 Hogan F5
It is interesting to read what the preferences of different people are. Of all the mandolins mentioned in this discussion, I've only played a Collings MT2O. I own one and I absolutely love it. It is my main instrument and have gigged with it multiple times (fitted with K&K pickups, it amplifies really well). The sound of a Collings mandolin is not really traditional. I guess Bill Collings never cared to reproduce, but to innovate. I can see how some players may not care for it, as I guess it depends on what sound one is going for and what style of music is being played. I am sure all of these mandolins are great, but I personally like the "new"-ish sonic territories of my MT2O. That being said, congratulations on your new mandolin Mike! It sounds fantastic!
Yup! She's a keeper.
'20 Ellis A5 Tradition, '09 Gilchrist Model 1, “July 9” Red Diamond F-5, '12 Duff F-5, '19 Collings MT2, ’24 A2-Z, ’24 F-2, '13 Collings mandola, '82 D-35, Gibson Keb Mo. http://www.bucktownrevue.com
I hope to add an MT2O to the stable when I get some $, SRNasif. I love the idea a longer, more A5-style neck. There are more mandolins that time and money for sure!
'20 Ellis A5 Tradition, '09 Gilchrist Model 1, “July 9” Red Diamond F-5, '12 Duff F-5, '19 Collings MT2, ’24 A2-Z, ’24 F-2, '13 Collings mandola, '82 D-35, Gibson Keb Mo. http://www.bucktownrevue.com
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