Who is the best builder we've never heard of?

[Dave Greenspoon]

So I was walking around the campground at Grey Fox, and stopped to listen to some folks jamming. The mandolin was incredible sounding and serious eye-candy: a beautiful blonde, with just the right amount of bling. I was ready to bet that it had a red spruce top (it did), but between the dim lighting and the incredible consumables, I couldn't make out the logo on the headstock. Collings? Maybe a Gil? Nope. It was an Otis. "Who is Otis?" I asked. "Mike Otis," came the reply, "He's staying in that camper and he'll be here tomorrow." Well,tomorrow came, and I made it a point to meet Mike Otis. His mission is to make the best A-5 you'll ever see at the price point. So I was right: it's like having a Gil sound at a Collings price.

You can e-mail him at a5-mando@att.net to find out more. FYI, there is NFI on my part. Now, who do YOU know that the rest of us don't?

[atetone]

I know who it is but I can't tell you because,,, well,, then you would know and then you would tell someone else and then,,, well,,, you know

[man dough nollij]

Ernesto McGillicuddy. His F6 can peel the paint off a moving truck. Yep.

[Mike Bromley]

What if the truck is standing still? Does it leave a dent?

[Chris "Bucket" Thomas]

Ernesto McGillicuddy. His F6 can peel the paint off a moving truck. Yep.

Is that name for real? Is that Lucy's dad?

[allenhopkins]

The question I'm asking is, "Who's the worst builder we've all heard of?"

I'm thinking it's Hondo Johnson, the Rogue of Savannah...

[f5loar]

Let's don't degrad anyone and list who is the worst. Unknown builders are everywhere usually only known to locals. And some are known outside their direct market usually through trades. Some of the lessor known best builders in my area from the past and now that have built quite a few "super" sounding F5/A5 copies are:
CE Ward, Bob Shue, Dean Clawson, Skip Kelley,Elmer Edwards,Garland Shuping,Jennings Chestnut,Carl Spann,Wayne Henderson,Squirrel(can't recall his real name but those of you in the Carolinas know who I mean).
I know I've named a few that have long been deceased but their mandolins are still living and making music so deserve a mention.

[Rick Banuelos]

Last October, I played an A-style Proulx with "apostrophe" holes. Still gives me chills thinking about it. Mario is a pretty well-known builder, though. It's likely that a lot of folks have heard of him...

[Larry S Sherman]

My F-5 is by Michael Terris from NJ. For me it is perfect in every way...but I never hear his name mentioned here. NFI.

Mine is a bit wider at the nut, and has an interesting headstock shape. Great well-balanced sound.

Larry

[Tom C]

Hondo Johnson, the Rogue of Savannah.

Qoute:Let's don't degrad anyone and list

I thought it was funnny..
..It's a joke on pacrim companies, not one person - get it?

[sgarrity]

Proulx -- Mario builds great mandolins and even better guitars. Why I sold mine I'll never know...

Bryce -- He posts here some I think. He was/is building for Stelling and I played a few of his back in the spring. Very nice fit and finish and good bluegrass tone.

[Nolan]

Gail Hester! She might not be unknown but she's still under the radar.

[dan@kins]

James E. Web of Tomahawk, Ky.

Builds a fine mandolin, guitar and banjo. I've got one of his two points and will probably commission one more before its all over with. . .

[Jonathan Peck]

I just played a Buckeye that was awesome. It's owned by Barry Mitterhoff. How's that for an artist endorsement

[Stephanie Reiser]

This summer I had listened to a Hamlett, and all I can say is "Wow!"
What a banjo crusher it was. Beautiful instrument, as well!

[ManjoMan]

I wonder what number is the Buckeye that belongs to Barry Mitterhoff? I own #9 and am currently in possession of #38. Pete makes a wonderful mandolin. If I only had the extra cash at this point I would just buy another one! MAS. You never know when it will strike.

[Keith Erickson]

There is a person, who lives just 5 minutes from me, here in West El Paso, by the name of Bill Farmer. He has been building top notch guitars for years but now he is making it his full time business. As for the mandolin content, he is now starting to venture into the world of mandolins

Don't be surprised to see his name surface again on the Mandolin Café in the not so distant future

[Carleton Page]

Gail Hester! She might not be unknown but she's still under the radar.

I think she should have a website! Pictures of those Loar A5 replicas still live in my brain!

[Carleton Page]

I just played a Buckeye that was awesome. It's owned by Barry Mitterhoff. How's that for an artist endorsement

I played a Buckeye last tear at Joe Val and it was awesome. Plyed very easy with J75's and had an awesome "deep tone."

[M Hollen]

Brady712, here on the Cafe, has a Buckeye that I got to play at the Monroe Clinic. It was pretty with a pretty killer sound. (Sigh, so many mando's, so little money )

[Timbofood]

Well, I have kept quiet long enough...
I am currently honored to be giving one of Billbows a "shakedown" and I am really impressed, I have done some with my band (Great Lakes Grass) at rehearsal and it holds it's own just fine with one of the LOUDEST banjo players I know. I suppose the volume thing was gilding a lilly but, you know what I mean. Also, I just did a short gig with a guitar player buddy as a duet and the mandolin "Mic"ed very well. I am headed out of town but shortly after I get back , I will see how she flies onstage with a full band in a "performance situation"
I just couldn't hold back any longer, Bill!

[Emonortem]

I'd say Dan Voight should be considered.

There aren't many 20 yr olds who are building mandos with the sweetness and response that he's getting.

[jessboo]

in Iowa i can think of two Steve Hinde our own masamando. who builds part time. And another freind from Boone, Richard Vance Clark. altho Richard spends more time building guitars. both make great mandolins. i know there are more i just haven't met them yet.

[fatt-dad]

Well, the folks at the builder's forum know Dave Cohen, who's quite the scholar on the acoustics of mandolins for sure. That said, his mandolins are just great! I'm lucky to live near Dave and every one of his mandolins is wonderful. I bet there are few at this forum that have had the pleasure of playing one though. . .

f-d

[Patrick Gunning]

I'd say Dan Voight should be considered.

There aren't many 20 yr olds who are building mandos with the sweetness and response that he's getting.

I'll second that. Me and my 2 friends from the symposium all placed orders with him after obsessing about his #2 in our late-night jams.