Pomeroy owners opinions

[dorenac]

Hope this is a fair question. Am considering a Pomeroy F5 as a replacement for my Phoenix Neoclassical. I'm finding that the Phoenix is great for home or ensemble playing of jazzy and non BG stuff. But if I go out on jam night I'm buried by the louder mandos, fiddles, and banjos. I love the playablility, especially the radius fret board and neck shape, of my Neo and am therefore hoping to find something with similar characteristics. If not a Pomeroy I would appreciate other ideas. My budget dictates that I stay in the Neo price range.

A second part to this post: Who has or has played both the Phoenix Bluegrass and Neoclassical, and how do they compare? A Bluegrass model might equally suit my needs and possibly have a similar playing action. Thanks for your input

[sachmo63]

I've had Pomeroy #41 for a while, one of the best mandolins i've owned and a PERFECT bluegrass machine. I can't comment on his other models but that one was a hoss. As far as other mandolins are concerned, I would seriously consider a "new" Weber. I have a new Fern and its feels wonderful and sounds fantastic, i fell in love with it the minute I picked it up. Even brand new it sounded good and now its 4 months old its setteling in and is just a joy. Everytime I record with it I'm amazed how loud it seems to be with other instruments.

The reason I say "new" Weber is 'cause theyr'e making all new ones with the old wood stock and I really believe this make a difference.

Good Luck.

S

[Lee]

Off topic, I know, but have you considered a Phoenix Standard or a Phoenix Bluegrass model?
I've owned a Pom A5 and F5, and a Phoenix Deluxe and Jazz. All have been wonderfull. Generally the Poms feel sturdy furniture-like, whereas the Phoeniii are crafted to be lighter weight with a daintier feel. Just a matter of taste. Of course, much of your choice would be how you felt about 2-pointers and some of the other design features unique to a Phoenix.
I guess you could sum up by saying the Phoenix occupies more of a niche than the Pomeroy which are more in the traditional vein.

[dorenac]

Actually I recall a friend who has a Phoenix Standard and I've emailed him if he would let me play his. And I wonder if strings other than T-I's such as Elixir Nanos might help with a bit more punch? Rolfe suggests those as well as JM-11's as alternatives.

[luckylarue]

I used to think I needed the "loudest" mandolin to compete in big mega-jams w/ multiple guitars, banjos, etc. Then I realized that I rarely ever play in big jams and when I do and they get too big, I move on and start a small one. I have a strong aversion to having to play as loud as I can just to be heard.
Keep that jam small and keep the Phoenix!

[Links]

I have a Pomeroy F model and absolutely love it. I also own several Gibson F-5's, including a DMM, but usually pick up the Pomeroy more often than any other mandolin. It has a bright and sweet tone, plenty of volume, and works fine for any type of music. For strictly bluegrass my Gibsons would probably be my first choice, but the Pomeroy works fine for that too. Used ones are extremely reasonable and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another if I knew it would sound as good as mine.

[man dough nollij]

I saw the most amazing Pomeroy mandolin today, and I'm not easily amazed. It was an asymmetrical 2-point (not shown on his website) with highly flamed maple back with curly maple binding all around. Curly maple truss rod cover-- all wood. It is at the Arvada Pickin' Parlor. The workmanship is literally amazing-- I've never seen anything like it. I was in a big hurry, just ducking in for a second, so I didn't want to take the time to tune it up and play it. There was also an iii (Geoff B?) A-style there that looked and sounded great. I've seen posts from Geoff and Don here on the Cafe, and I want to tell you that you are turning out some truly amazing stuff. Keep up the good work!

[Jill McAuley]

I have a Pomeroy A oval and I wouldn't describe it as "furniture like" at all! Mine is light as a feather and super loud. Don Paine is a great guy to deal with as well. Big thumbs up from me!

Cheers,
Jill

[mandolirius]

I have only played one Phoenix, the one I used to own (see avatar). It's an Ultra and it was a very loud, clear-sounding mandolin. I used it in jams and in a bluegrass band with no problems. If you like the Phoenix brand (I sure do), I'd think about the bluegrass model. If you can afford $4500, my old Ultra is for sale at Elderly. If I had the extra cash, I'd buy it back.

[Lee]

Be sure, I meant nothing but praise by describing a Pomeroy as "furniture like". I still have my Pom A5 and it gets played frequently. Maybe I should have said it's like fine Chippendale. Does that sound better?

[Kevin Briggs]

I can chime in on this one too.

I had a Pomeroy Two-point built a few years ago. It was a very nice mandolin that Don built exactly to my specs. I think the only reason I moved on from it was I didn't quite know what I was asking for. I asked for a smooth jazz-type mandolin, and I don't play jazz at all. Therefore, it didn't have the throatiness of a bluegrasser. I think if I had asked him for a staunch bluegrasser, I would still have it, because I know he is capable of building those too.

I'll add that the tone was very, very nice. It sounded wonderful.

[sgarrity]

Are you going to get to play the Pomeroy before you sell or trade the Phoenix? I've owned both and they're completely different animals. The Poms are built with a thicker, sturdier feel while the Phoenix has a more refined feel. I think you're definitely going to want to get your hands on a Pomeroy before making that change. Going to a Phoenix Bluegrass or Deluxe model would be a good choice too.

On the other hand, luckylarue provided some sage advice as well!

[dorenac]

Well as it has developed my friend, who was mentioned earlier, is selling his Phoenix Standard and I plan to buy it. I may keep them both or sell one. All along I've really grown to like Phoenix mandos, and inasmuch as the Pom would be site unseen the Standard seems to be a good compromise. From what I've read the Standard is actually a versatile instrument, making it a jack of all musics and a specialist of none. And that's really what I think I'm after. Thanks for everyones great advice.

[Jill McAuley]

Great stuff - don't forget to post some photos of it for all of us to drool over!

Cheers,
Jill

[Brad Grafton]

I have a Pomeroy #91 varnish , one piece back, varnish, with waverly tunners.... I think this was a custom for Don that I puchased from Sandy in CO. I is extremly easy to play, and well balanced. It is not a banjo killer though.. I buy and sell alot of instruments, and this has made it into the do not sell list.
I also have a Unicorn, which is a Phoenix of sorts. It has a flat fretboard and a Douglus Fir top. this is a woody bright model A that is concentrated on the high end.. this is up for sale on the cafe...
I have never played one of Don's f4, but this might be something to try.. I don't think you can go wrong with a Pomeroy. Good luck

[Douglas McMullin]

Well as it has developed my friend, who was mentioned earlier, is selling his Phoenix Standard and I plan to buy it. I may keep them both or sell one. All along I've really grown to like Phoenix mandos, and inasmuch as the Pom would be site unseen the Standard seems to be a good compromise. From what I've read the Standard is actually a versatile instrument, making it a jack of all musics and a specialist of none. And that's really what I think I'm after. Thanks for everyones great advice.

I love the hec out of my Standard. So far I have found it to have plenty of volume and it seems to do very well with the different types of music I throw at it.

[pickloser]

I haven't had the pleasure of playing a Phoenix Neoclassical, but I have an Ultra, and I have a Phoenix Bluegrass. The Ultra really can do it all, but I learned quickly that I am way too protective of it to use it at jams and festivals and around folks who have been drinkin'. I eventually got the PBG to take out. My PBG sounds best with heavier strings, and I think it was built for them. Even with 75s, it has the wonderful Phoenix playbility (altho the Ultra wins outright in that category, especially with JM11s on it). The PBG has loads of volume and cut and a great chop. It has a different sound than the Ultra--much more POP and some bite. Both Phoenix mandolins have the great neck shape and radius on the fingerboard; they both feel very light and the construction appears to be virtually flawless. They do feel different under the fingers, though, because of the difference in strings. Those heavy strings push back, but the PBG is still firmly in the easy playability camp. (If a mando is hard to play, I just don't want to deal with it. And I really don't think it all comes down to set up, but that's another thread.) If you're not too far up in VA, come on down and try a PBG. Send me a PM if you're interested. I also have a Gibson F5 f/b I bought in the search for a second. The PBG is much louder.

[dorenac]

Well the Phoenix Standard came this morning. I put new GHS 10-36 strings on and am very pleased. I don't want to be too impulsive so I'll give it some time to decide between this Standard and the Neoclassical. They are different, no surprise there. It's hard to tell right away with new strings anyway. As soon as I can I'll post some photos. The Standard had some upgrades in wood, etc.

[LKN2MYIS]

I had a Pomeroy and I currently own a Phoenix Neoclassical. WAY different instruments.

But if I had to pick only one, it would be the Phoenix. Hard to argue taste, but the Phoenix suits me well. No complaints and very versatile.

I am not a bluegrass guy, and the Neoclassical is great for me for all else.

[mandolirius]

This thread is making me want my old Ultra back, even more than I already did.