Hamlett Two-Point Review

[Mandolinian]

Hey Kevin, how's the Hamlett holding up? It's been a little while.

[Kevin Briggs]

Hey man!

Thanks so much for asking. I’ve actually been meaning to post an update as there’s lots to tell. Above all else, I can say emphatically that the Hamlett Two-Point continues to delight.

I’ve been on quite a mandolin journey since parting ways with that special Weber Fern back in 2011 or so. There have been some very good ones. A Morris and a Collings MT stand out as exceptional. Along the way, I was also able to get my hands on some nice Gibsons,Summit, Gil, and some Ellis models. They were all fantastic. It’s very gratifying to report that the Hamlett is in that class, amongst the best mandolins I’ve played.

It is consistently so and as I’ve gotten my way around it a bit more I’ve figured out how to pull tone in ways of which I was not initially aware. For example, it takes 11.5-41 gauge strings very well. As in, the heavier tension hardly feels noticeable, but it sounds BIG. I recently decided to beef up the A strings even more by using 17s on them instead of the 16s in the J75 set. It really adds to the bite. Even more specifically, I’ve been using D’Adarrio Nickels. They seem to fill it out in a way that is really pleasing. A little softer, a little more hum, a little less clang than standard J75s, but still with plenty of muscle.

Last week I picked it up from Jeff Hoestetter at Stringed Instrument Repairs in Red Lion, PA. He is a local legend and comes recommended by none other than Michael Lewis. He’s a true artisan repair person who can fix a hole in the top of your instrument if you need, or give you a great setup. He gave me the setup and I think fidgeted with the A string nut and bridge slots a tad to accommodate the 17s. He nailed it. His comment was, “that thing sure can kick.” When I went upstairs to the store he’s connected to and played it a little for a sales person, the sales person said, “Now that is what a mandolin ought to sound like. That thing’s for real!”

I, of course, am already enamored with it, but whatever Jeff did really optimized it. I’ve barely been able to put it down since last week. It now reminds me a bit of my old Weber Biterroot, which was notable for its intense volume, but it has a finer tone that that Bitterroot, plays much easier, and is physically lighter.

It’s freaking loud and plays like a dream. The action’s a bit high where I like it so it’s not liquidy, but still it’s very responsive and the notes are easily accessible with a relatively light touch. A delightful aspect of it is how sonorous the lows sound. They really hum and if I play it right it can do sweet songs like “Faded Love” or “Midnight on the Water” like a dream.

All in all, I love it! I’ll try to get a video of a jam I’m going to this weekend. It’s with one other player and she plays an awesome Gibson Mandolin Store custom model. It’ll be good to hear them side by side and I think will be helpful as a benchmark.

Stay tuned!

[urobouros]

Whether it's jeans or mandolins, there's nothing like finding the right fit!

[Kevin Briggs]

Hey Everyone....

Although I am planning on making a short video featuring the Hamlett and my friend Ali's very nice Gibson tomorrow, here's a quickie involving two week old D'Addario Nickel Bronze 11.5-41 gauge strings with Ernie Ball 17 gauge A strings to beef things up. There's a round of "Billy in the Lowground," some heavy strums, and a few chops. Hope you like it. :-)

[addamr]

Beautiful mandolin Kevin. If you like the .017 A string Siminoff Straight Up Strings has a set of heavys 11.5-17-26-41. I've played their mediums and really like them.

Adam

[CHASAX]

Have a J.D. and 10 years of sobriety, but no two point. Bought a Collings last year and a Pava recently. Saw a two point a few weeks ago and told myself to slow down.
Hope you enjoy the Hamlett for years. I like it.

[Kevin Briggs]

https://www.facebook.com/susan.desan...623467022/?d=nThanks so much!

Here’s a 4th of July video showcasing just how far the tone has evolved at the one year point. Granted, I’m playing through a Schertler DYN-M pickup, Schertler Yellow pre-amp, and Bose S1 speaker. Still, thats the tone right there. It’s very close to how it sounds acoustically.

[blauserk]

Sounds gorgeous. I've heard a couple of really wonderful-sounding Hamletts--yours included.