OH YEAH! That 5 has it going on, what a looker! Thanks for sharing.
Never have heard of that builder. Where is he or she located?
He worked for Gibson during the time they had the project for the F5-L that was headed up by Roger Siminoff. He is more well known for his bow making.
This is his webpage - http://www.billbows.com
Here is a post thread he started with a mandolin he had recently built in 2008.
https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...light=billbows
“Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.”
My Mandos:
1981 Lloyd LaPlant F5 #6
2001 Lloyd LaPlant F5 #57
2006 Lloyd LaPlant F5 #106
2017 Boeh F5 #27
2020 Boeh 2-point #31
2012 Grey Eagle 2-point #57V
This is what happens when a guy everyone knows as Bill signs D. William and then his last name.
It's ok though, most people didn't know who Marion Morrison was either.
That's a beautiful mandolin.
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
I know how annoying it can be for people like myself to go on and on about a revolving door of buiders. Enthusiasm can get the best of a player. I am guilty on that count. I would like to share two pieces of information about this particuar F5. It was constructed during the period mentioned regarding the F5L project with Roger(and others) It's very much Loarish in nature but/and I was quite surprised by the strength in the low end. Holy Grail-ish..
* i am not worthy but boy I feel fortunate. Thanks Dem for the push, nudge and info..
Audio example: https://soundcloud.com/dennis-benjam...aljin-andy-mp3 '77 Bill Halsey F5
“Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.”
My Mandos:
1981 Lloyd LaPlant F5 #6
2001 Lloyd LaPlant F5 #57
2006 Lloyd LaPlant F5 #106
2017 Boeh F5 #27
2020 Boeh 2-point #31
2012 Grey Eagle 2-point #57V
One of Bill's mandolins popped up at Elderly in late 2018. To say it was gorgeous would be an understatement. Some lucky soul snapped it up before I could pull the (not inconsiderable) purchase price together. -sigh-
It's still the only one I've seen available for purchase.
Chris
Does anyone know how many mandolins Bill made by chance? It almost reminds me of the look of John Paganoni's ultra fine builds! I love Paganoni's and regret getting rid of mine about 8 years or so ago. One doesn't see too many of John's mando's for sale either! There is one in the classifieds now NFI but I know that one is killer sounding as well! I bet in maybe 40 years John has made less than 60? So Bill Halsey's builds are probably less than that as one doesn't usually see those for sale, well along with Roger Siminoff's builds!
I've never been fortunate enough to play a Halsey! Yep that's a nice one you have there.
I remember that one! It was one of three of the prototypes offered to Bill Monroe, who chose the one built by Aaron Cowles.
I was lucky enough to have played quite a few of Bill’s mandolins, I think the number is somewhere around fourteen or fifteen but, I really can’t say for certain.
Sadly for the mandolin community, Bill has retired from mandolin building, building bows is what he’s doing, when he’s not online walking me through some silly project or another.
I’m truly blessed to call him a friend.
So, Old Growth, when did you take the plunge? That was an interesting mandolin to say the least!
Enjoy it!
Timothy F. Lewis
"If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett
The one that was at Elderly was built when Bill lived in Maine, I never saw that one. When he was here in Kalamazoo, I was often lucky to see them in the white and test drive them a little bit. He’s always been very generous about getting his instruments into peoples hands.
Most of his builds were for orders, not general “stock”.
Timothy F. Lewis
"If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett
To the best of my knowledge Bill built about 12 mandolins. Two A5's and the remainder were F5's. He is quite literally one of the nicest, most interesting and knowledgable people I know. We became friends recently after more or less being introduced by Demetrius. This particular instrument wasn't one of the 3 built with Roger and Gibson. It was constructed during the same timeframe to the best of my understanding though.
* To your question Greg about the two other sound clips, I'm not sure but can double check and let you know. They would either be the Halsey or Ruhland #55. The recordings would have been made on my cell phone. As an aside, the Halsey has much more tone, volume than I'm able to pull out. Fun to keep trying however
* William...I am also a big Pag fan although I've only played one. It was very special. The night i had the opportunity to play it was also the first time i played a Loar(and perhaps the finest sounding Nugget I played) The Halsey is a bit lighter in weight than the Pag.
Thanks for the interest guys.
Last one, thanks Cafe..
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFQnk2WH-CV/
Beautiful inlay on that headstock!
Make America Grateful Again!
2013 Collings MF, 2017 Northfield NF2S, 2019 Northfield Big Mon F
1968 Martin D12-20, 2008 Martin HD28, 2022 Martin CEO 7
1978 Ibanez Artist "Flying Eagle" Masterclone Banjo
Old Growth (I actually think that might be his real name) left his Halsey with me in my studio for a couple days in August and I thought it was an incredible mandolin. Very very light, very responsive. Beautiful tone. I didn't want to give it back
2003 John Sullivan F5 "Roy"
2015 Heiden F Artist
2019 Ruhland F5 #35
He's only trying to get your Heiden, Evan. Be careful.
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
Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@hillbillychambermusic
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