How many mandolins have you had?????

[Robert Mitchell]

How many mandolins have you had , and
of them,, which was the best??

[G7MOF]

In the words of my Illustrious wife, TOO MANY!!!

[yankees1]

Five ! Sold one and another Northfield on order !

[CelticDude]

Four.
- A Kentucky KM250, bought in the 80's, and sold around 2002.
- An Ovation that I kept for a year, about 2007.
- A Goldtone GM110, for about 3 years.
- A Collings MT, which I've had for 3 years, and which is a keeper. It's even cured MAS.

This is not counting 3 octave mandolins over the years, a Flatiron bouzouki, a Trinity College OM, and a Jon Mann OEM. The OEM is the only one I still have; it's also a keeper.

[fatt-dad]

about like 30 or so.

Not sure, but my Flatiron, Stiver (since sold), A2Z, Cohen and other Flatiron were the best. Many of my earlier MIJ Kentucky, Ibanez, Aria and Alvarez mandolins were perfectly good though. Just not as good - ha!

f-d

p.s., the number of mandolins I've owned is no reflection on my ability. Just my ability to shop.

[Denny Gies]

Auria two point with "f" holes....good for a starter, then a 1916 Gibson A2......then a Kentucky 1500 F model.......then the once in a lifetime one; a 1993 Randy Wood F5. Cured my MAS also.

[Mandolin Mick]

At least 4, enough to know that I wouldn't ever buy an A model again. I had a Gibson F-9 that was a great Bluegrasser, but I used it as a downpayment on my current workhorse, my Rattlesnake F-5 #13. I'm so happy with the Rattlesnake that it's ended my MAS ... really!!!

[John Soper]

My wife points out that my talent for buying good mandos outshines my talent for selling them!

Spun off a 40's Kay, 20 A-3, '70's Kentucky, among others. Unfortunately trying to decide which is the "best": MT-2, Duff, A2z, '23 F-2, National style 1- they all sound different...

[JEStanek]

It is embarrasing given my skill level but 15! I only have 4 playable mandolins (one out on loan) and 1 Octave in the stable now.

My favorite is my Spira. But I enjoy the time I spend with the Eastman two point, bowlback, and OM.

Jamie

[AnneFlies]

Six: a Flatiron A5 Artist; Loar LM220VS (bought so I could take a beater camping); Weber Y2K2; Weber Sweet Pea; Flatiron 1N; and a Weber Bridger A. The Loar & the Sweet Pea will be up for sale once I get around to taking pictures, also either the Y2K2 or the 1N will be for sale. Once I got the Bridger, MAS was cured. It's the only one I like more than the A5.

Also have a 1923 Vega tenor banjo, a 1930 Kalamazoo banjo-mandolin, and a fiddle. Fiddle lessons start soon.

[Tom Sanderson]

I started playing in 1974. I've owned 29 that I can count, but I think I've forgotten a few. My favorites are my current 2 Nuggets, F5 #260, Nugget Ajr #277, and Nugget #147, a 2 point that I owned for 12 years and really regret selling.

[Tiderider]

I still own 4 of the 8 I've owned. The Weber Diamondback is no doubt the best I've owned, sweet tone, super easy to play and loud. My recently refurbed A9 has also returned to be one of my favorites. As several others has suggested my talent level has near nothing to do with my MAS.

[Randi Gormley]

Let's see. The six I have now, plus an electric no-name I traded in for a setup on a Kentucky KM380s that I also sold, and my first instrument, a Suzuki bowlback, which I donated to a local community theater for a prop. So nine altogether. I find that astonishing.
Of course, if you ask how many instruments I've owned, rented or housed, that expands the list considerably. As for the best of them, it depends on what I'm playing.

[Bernie Daniel]

Near as I can remember about 12 since 1972. Nine of them have been Gibsons -- 6 F-styles and 3 A-styles. The best, and about equal, were an 2002 F-5 Fern and a 2002 A-9. My 2001 F-5 Sam Bush is probably the favorite but I really like my latest addition a 1961 EM-150 too.

[Bernie Daniel]

I started playing in 1974. I've owned 29 that I can count, but I think I've forgotten a few. My favorites are my current 2 Nuggets, F5 #260, Nugget Ajr #277, and Nugget #147, a 2 point that I owned for 12 years and really regret selling.

Now that is pretty impressive -- 29 mandolins in 38 years! I'll bet David Grisman would be very hard pressed to answer that question.

[abuteague]

I have had 6 that I owned. The Weber Bitterroot F style was a standout, but I sold it. I have two mandolins in my possession, an electric and an acoustic-electric. I think 6 is a modest number for 20 years of playing. Children have kept MAS in check.

[Paul Merlo]

I have 2.
the Alvarez A-100 (1998) is on loan to Dad.
My Weber stays right next to the couch.

[Steve Ostrander]

Let's see....

Rogue f100
Epi mm30e
MK TMS Custom
MK Dragonfly
Eastman md615
Eastman md804
Eastman md615v
Kentucky km855
Kentucky km505
Collings MT

And the winners are:
Kentucky km900
Gibson F9

[rgray]

Five in 3 1/2 years. Morgan Monroe Bean Blossom, Kentucky 505, Weber Gallatin A, Redline Traveler, Trinity College OM. Traveler and TC remain.

[Cheryl Watson]

Let's see, my first mandolin was a:

Rigel A- sold when I got my first Kimble...

Kimble #13: Excellent mandolin that a friend now owns; I got a new Kimble.

Apitius F5: Excellent mandolin but the flat fretboard combined with the very low profile neck gave me aggravating pain in the first joint of my index finger and I traded it for...

2003 Williamson F5: Still own this one--gorgeous, aged tone, nice neck.

2009 Kimble A5: Strong mandolin, still own.

Arches flattop: I sold it because I needed money, but it had fit/finish and playability to die for and I would love to play/own one of his carved top mandolins--I would bet they are excellent!

1980's Kentucky 180s: I bought this to resell to a student who ended up getting something cheaper so I sold it in the classifieds. Strong beginner mandolin.

So that makes 7 mandolins total.

[Mike Crocker]

I've borrowed a few but only owned three, a cheap Washburn (I think my sister has it), and the Cox and Moon mandolins that are my regular players. Lots of close encounters lately though.

A former student who got into guitar building is finishing an A style kit for me soon. Spruce top, maple back, sides, and neck. We're going to change the bridge, fingerboard, and binding to ebony, and upgrade the tuners.

[JeffD]

Except for one that I sold, I still have all the mandolins I ever had.

So what is that, 12 in my current stable. Well 11 playable.

Which one was the best? I am not sure what is meant by best.

Most valuable?
Best make?
Best condition?
Most playable?
Most fun to play?
Coolest looking?
Most impressive?
Gets most played?
Most impressive to a fellow mandolinner?
Most impressive to a non-musician?

If I could answer what is the best one I would only own that one, and cull the rest.

[John Duncan]

My first mandolin was built by Fred Kimble, Will Kimble's very talented father.

2nd Mandolin was an A-Style mandolin that I built with Will's help. It had been my main mandolin since 2005 until about 6 months ago.

3rd I had a Triggs that I traded for a fiddle bow.

4th is the current "Glenn" F-5 that I have. Who knows from here!!!

I REALLY hope that Shaun Garrity sees this thread and comments! That man has had some quality mandolins!

[Russell26]

I have had two mandolins a Martin backpacker and Epiphone A style and I'm currently saving up for a nicer mandolin.

[Capt. E]

I've owned 12 mandolins and learned something from every one. Still own the Shiro A (3rd purchase), Weber Bighorn (4th) and Gibson A-00 (12th). Two I should never have sold is a Martin Style B and a 1921 Gibson A. The best?...which ever one I happen to be playing at the time. The worst one was an Epiphone A.
I would love to buy one of my friend Tom Ellis' beautiful creations. So far the best I can do is play a bit on the ones that come through Fiddlers Green here in Austin.