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Thread: Your thoughts on Ellis A4s and other modern, upper tier ovals?

  1. #26
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    Default Re: Your thoughts on Ellis A4s and other modern, upper tier ovals

    Quote Originally Posted by mike romkey View Post
    update: Just called ellis. I could get a new one in about a year. But i need it now. : ) or this summer? The plot thickens. I'm leaning toward getting an mt2 0, and if six months from now i'm lusting for more, ordering an ellis. ...

    Italian vs. Red spruce -- that would be the next question if i go down the collings road.
    Girouard !!!

  2. #27
    Registered User seankeegan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Your thoughts on Ellis A4s and other modern, upper tier ovals

    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.

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  4. #28
    Registered User Denman John's Avatar
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    Default Re: Your thoughts on Ellis A4s and other modern, upper tier ovals

    I kinda like this one

    Click image for larger version. 

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    ... not all those who wander are lost ...

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  6. #29
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    Default Re: Your thoughts on Ellis A4s and other modern, upper tier 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.

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  8. #30
    Registered User Joe Dodson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Your thoughts on Ellis A4s and other modern, upper tier ovals

    Quote Originally Posted by dang View Post
    I can’t speak to the other choices but I love my Collings MT2-O

    The elevated fret board and longer neck do seem to make these style of ovals a little less tubby, a little more like a hybrid with an f hole instrument. I like that, but from what I read here not everyone does. I have a one-piece birdseye maple back on mine, and use monel strings - both of which seem to contribute to that hybrid nature... I feel the red spruce top also helps this. I do feel you could do the opposite of what I did and accentuate the classic sound by string and wood choice.

    I can’t put my MT2-O down once I get playing on it, it seems to have the longer sustain and a deeper tone then my f-hole collings, but it doesn’t quite chop as well. Definitely my preferred instrument for around the house and melody playing. I don’t gig with it, but I have used it in a practice with a former bluegrass band and it did hold up well.
    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.

  9. #31
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Your thoughts on Ellis A4s and other modern, upper tier ovals

    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Seale View Post
    I'd be hard pressed to pass up the Gil at TME. Those from the early batches are ridiculously good. Similarly, if you can find a Kimble oval, they're very similar.
    Sale pending it says. Gilchrist Model 1
    Jim

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    Default Re: Your thoughts on Ellis A4s and other modern, upper tier ovals

    Quote Originally Posted by skiboy1 View Post
    I certainly enjoy the tone and playability of my Old Wave oval. I believe it was modeled after a teens Gibson and, for me, a pleasure to play. It likely does not qualify as "upper tier" as you requested.

    Gene
    LOL. I imagine Mr Bussman reading this thread and responding (a la M. Twain), "Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated". I guess I've been away too long if people have almost stopped mentioning Old Waves and Oval Hole in the same threads.
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  12. #33
    Registered User Elliot Luber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Your thoughts on Ellis A4s and other modern, upper tier ovals

    My vote: Pava/Ellis.

  13. #34
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Your thoughts on Ellis A4s and other modern, upper tier ovals

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    Sale pending it says. Gilchrist Model 1
    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

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  15. #35
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    Default Re: Your thoughts on Ellis A4s and other modern, upper tier ovals

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    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.
    I believe Max changes bracing sometimes based on the top wood choice. For instance the port orford cedar tops (think Jill has one) has a transverse brace, like the old Gibsons.

  16. #36
    Registered User Jill McAuley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Your thoughts on Ellis A4s and other modern, upper tier ovals

    Quote Originally Posted by seankeegan View Post
    I believe Max changes bracing sometimes based on the top wood choice. For instance the port orford cedar tops (think Jill has one) has a transverse brace, like the old Gibsons.
    Yes, mine is a port orford cedar top with a transverse brace!
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  18. #37

    Default Re: Your thoughts on Ellis A4s and other modern, upper tier ovals

    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.

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  20. #38
    Registered User Mike Romkey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Your thoughts on Ellis A4s and other modern, upper tier ovals

    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

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  22. #39

    Default Re: Your thoughts on Ellis A4s and other modern, upper tier ovals

    Quote Originally Posted by Jill McAuley View Post
    Yes, mine is a port orford cedar top with a transverse brace!
    Max is building me one like yours as we speak.................
    "your posts ... very VERY opinionated ...basing your opinion/recommendations ... pot calling ...kettle... black...sarcasm...comment ...unwarranted...unnecessary...."

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  24. #40
    Registered User Jill McAuley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Your thoughts on Ellis A4s and other modern, upper tier ovals

    Quote Originally Posted by Mandobar View Post
    Max is building me one like yours as we speak.................
    Awesome! Looking forward to seeing photos of that!
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  25. #41

    Default Re: Your thoughts on Ellis A4s and other modern, upper tier ovals

    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!

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  27. #42

    Default Re: Your thoughts on Ellis A4s and other modern, upper tier ovals

    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.

  28. #43

    Default Re: Your thoughts on Ellis A4s and other modern, upper tier ovals

    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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  29. #44

    Default Re: Your thoughts on Ellis A4s and other modern, upper tier ovals

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike Romkey View Post
    Here she is. Love it love it love it!

    Good playing !

  30. #45

    Default Re: Your thoughts on Ellis A4s and other modern, upper tier ovals

    Please help me out here. What mando is this? It is awesome! Thank you!

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike Romkey View Post
    Here she is. Love it love it love it!


  31. #46
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Your thoughts on Ellis A4s and other modern, upper tier ovals

    Quote Originally Posted by ABmando View Post
    Please help me out here. What mando is this? It is awesome! Thank you!
    It’s the Gilchrist Model 1 mentioned upthread.
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  32. #47

    Default Re: Your thoughts on Ellis A4s and other modern, upper tier ovals

    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!

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  34. #48
    Registered User Mike Romkey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Your thoughts on Ellis A4s and other modern, upper tier ovals

    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

  35. #49
    Registered User Mike Romkey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Your thoughts on Ellis A4s and other modern, upper tier ovals

    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

  36. #50

    Default Re: Your thoughts on Ellis A4s and other modern, upper tier ovals

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike Romkey View Post
    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!
    Ha! Absolutely! My standard answer to when someone asks me how many instruments I have is: More than I need, less than I want.

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