Carver mandolins?

[Rocky Top]

I just seen Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver in concert and was talking to Doyle about his mandolin. I was absolutely blown away by the volume and tone of it and he told me that it was a Carver. He also told me that they were very reasonably priced and I am considering buying one. Does anybody here own one? If so, what do you think about it? All info about these mandos is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[mrmando]

I see Chris, the builder, at Wintergrass every year. I like his mandos a lot; they get better all the time.

[G_Smolt]

I have a Carver A, and I pick it up more frequently than most of my other axes. Nice tone, don't hafta beat it to death to make it sound nice, and it feels good in the hand.

You should PM Chris, he posts here under the handle of "Rovinmando". One of the nicest guys you'll meet, even if he is hell on my flyfishing equipment...

[bluegrassjack2]

Does he have a web site?

[PaulO]

I received my blacktop A-5 from Chris in December. He's an up and coming builder who understands sound. I think he makes a GREAT sounding mando, so does Doyle. You should give him a call and talk with him.

Paul

[Rocky Top]

You should PM Chris, he posts here under the handle of "Rovinmando".

Ok, I already sent him an email through his website, but I might do that too. Thanks for all the info everybody.

[PaulO]

Rocky Top here is a shot of my Carver.

Enjoy,

Paul

[tango_grass]

www.carvermandolins.com

Doyle says they are reasonably priced, eh? Is that from his point of view, or ours?
I saw him play it at Wintergrass, he had just purchased it that weekend at the festival.

[PaulO]

I would have to say reasonable by our POV. I think I got a lot of mando for the money.

Joe Craven purchased a couple from him for his school program. I contacted him and he gave me a response that gave me some confidence in giving Chris a try.

Now that I hear that Lawson got one I feel that much better about my purchase.

I've only been playing for a couple of years so it was not an easy decision for me, but I'll never forget when my Carver arrived. The first time I struck a chord... wow!

My mando is loud, clear and suprises me every time I pick it up. Now if I could just play Like Doyle...

Paul

[Rocky Top]

That's a beautiful mando, Paul. Glad you like it. Thanks for sharing the pics.

[G_Smolt]

Got few quick beauty shots in...Carver A #4

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The trussrod cover is off because I was a pinhead and stripped one of the little brass screws. I was going to put a custom jobbie on there, but haven't gotten around to it...

[PaulO]

Another fine A from Chris' shop. He really does make F's dispite what you see here. GSmolt, that is some kinda patterning on the neck... beautiful. Rocky Top enjoy the adventure of finding a builder.

Paul

[mythicfish]

"Now that I hear that Lawson got one I feel that much better about my purchase."

Who says that mandolin players can't think for themselves?

Curt

[Rocky Top]

Rocky Top enjoy the adventure of finding a builder.

Paul

Well Paul, I think I've found a builder, it finding the money that'll be the adventure haha!

[tterral]

These mandos sound interesting. Any spec info - neck width at the nut, type of neck profile he uses, tone woods, tone (dark/woody/woofy, bright/clear, etc.), type of finish, fit/finish quality, prices. I would be interested in seeing or hearing about his 'F' style mandolins.

I have to agree, the unfinished neck on the A-4 lots great, nice figure.

So many builders, so little time.

[PaulO]

Tim, the great thing about the process is that it is CUSTOM! Chris has good instinct with tonewood. How you want the neck shaped and sized is your call. Chris really prefers to make F's so I had to wait a bit until he had another order for an A.

All of those "sound adjectives" are so subjective it's hard to define. My A-5 is easy to play, very loud and clear. I can feel the mando in my belly when I play it. When I hit a chop it gets my attention.

I wish I could say it sounds like a Gibson, a Nugget or a Gil, but I've never played the last two, but it does sound like a Carver, and I like it very much.

Happy Hunting, Paul

[Nolan]

I played all the Carver mandolins Chris had at Wintergrass and they were all keepers!
I thought Doyles mandolin sounded exceptional Sunday at Wintergrass, it wasn't until later I found out it was a new Carver. # Chris is a great guy, I'm glad Doyle has one of his mandolins now.

[big h]

What is the price?