Who builds a quality A style under $2500?

**Stephen Perry** · Feb-10-2005, 11:06pm

Is Eastman a big builder? I'm not really in tune with the overall mandolin market density. They seem to have made perhaps 200 in the first whatever it is, 14 months or so. Going on the serial numbers and extrapolating a little. How does that stack up with others?

I rather like smaller builder's stuff in general. That's what I make - small builder extreme, since my production of fiddles seems to be about 5 per year at this point. Other demands on my time!

**PhilGE** · Feb-10-2005, 11:20pm

Shhhh... Don't tell anyone, but you can get a Bill Bussmann Old Wave A style mandolin for under $2000. An incredible deal!

Click here for a visit to Bill's website.

wooops... is this mic on?

here's a photo from his site...

**man doh** · Feb-11-2005, 7:34am

giannaviolins,
"Is Eastman a big builder? I'm not really in tune with the overall mandolin market density. They seem to have made perhaps 200 in the first whatever it is, 14 months or so. Going on the serial numbers and extrapolating a little. How does that stack up with others? "

At that rate this Eastman guy is the next Givens. (just kidding)

I think everyone is getting the point of "small builder".

If I master the mandolin in the next 50 years or so. I'll look you up on the Violin Cafe for my new violin. I think that will be the next instrument.

**cutbait2** · Feb-11-2005, 8:32am

Sim Daley; Classic A-5, $2500. one of the best mando's I've heard or played.

**Bob Kellett** · Feb-11-2005, 9:15am

Check out Ratcliff A models! Here is my new one.

**Lee** · Feb-11-2005, 9:52am

Hey Man Doh; where in PA you at?
Lou Stiver is in NW PA.

**man doh** · Feb-11-2005, 10:07am

Bob is that a pumpkin color or blonde? The inside light does funny things to photos. Nice looking mando.

Lee, I'm in Reading, Pa. Southeast Pa.

**Lee** · Feb-11-2005, 10:22am

Hey Man Doh, you're not far from Bluett Bro's in York PA.
PM me and I'll send more photos of Laura's mandolins.

**Dale Ludewig** · Feb-11-2005, 11:18am

anther try..

**Lee** · Feb-11-2005, 11:27am

Dale, is that funny colored lights making the mandolin look like that?

**man doh** · Feb-11-2005, 12:10pm

Lee, I already gave dale a hard time about the color.

The bluett Bros prices are a little out of bounds for me.

**Ted Eschliman** · Feb-11-2005, 12:30pm

If you want a world-class product, an instrument with painstaking attention to detail, tone that envelopes you and the listener with warmth like a winter blanket, and a fingerboard that fits your hands like you were born with the instrument, I'd defintely put Dale Ludewig on your list of builder candidates.
And I don't just say that because he makes blue mandolins...
He makes some other cool colors, too!

**Ken Sager** · Feb-11-2005, 12:48pm

Of all the A models I've played, Bill Bussman's have the best bluegrass sound and are supremely playable. I don't own a Bussman A (I do own a Bussman Octave) but have played several of his A models. His mandolins are well represented in Utah. Anyway, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one.

If I were in the market for another A I'd call Bill, tell him to build a monster sounding A to match my Octave (blonde, radiused board, tortoise binding, gold hardware, ebony headstock veneer) and put a deposit check in the mail and rest comfortably knowing he'd deliver.

Besides, working with Bill when he built my Octave was a genuine treat. When he strung it up for the first time he called my house to play it for me. I wasn't home, but I still have his message on my answering machine strumming away.

I can't say enough good things about Bill and his instruments.

Joy to all,
Ken

**nilodnam** · Feb-11-2005, 1:07pm

Well,
I have a Collings A that I love, a Stiver F that I love, but my favorite of all is my Stiver A. There is one from the same year as mine at Elderly and they can ship to you on 48 hour approval for very little money (like $20).

Those Stiver A's are canons and sound good over the whole range of bluegrass to bach.

nilodnam

**Dale Ludewig** · Feb-11-2005, 1:34pm

Yeah, Lee. Quit picking on me!
Thanks Ted.

**EastmanGordon** · Feb-11-2005, 2:00pm

"If Homer played an instrument it would be the "Man Doh"..."

No, no... you've got it all wrong. Homer played the guitar, it was Jethro that played the "Man Doh".

**mandroid** · Feb-11-2005, 2:46pm

"D'oh" , its a Romantic linguistic term. the crux of the biscuit is the apostrophe.

**Russ Jordan** · Feb-11-2005, 2:52pm

I'd like the A models built by Gerald Anderson of Rugby Va. Gerald works in Wayne Henderson's shop--I think he is now up to # 102 or so. A5 models with lacquer finish, curly maple back and sides, and red spruce top are $1750. Varnished A5 model is $2000. I'll post a couple of photos. Here's the backof one that was finished in the fall:

**Russ Jordan** · Feb-11-2005, 2:52pm

And here is the front of the same mandolin.

**Russ Jordan** · Feb-11-2005, 2:56pm

This is the back of the A5 I am getting from Gerald in 2 weeks. This photo was taken after one coat of finish was applied. The back is quilted big leaf, built as a "sister" to my Anderson F5. Can't wait to get it!

**kyblue** · Feb-11-2005, 3:06pm

Dale,

I like the color of that A of yours. #On my PC, it appears to be the same color as my new Rose #26...

Paula

**WireBoy** · Feb-11-2005, 3:31pm

Dale,
#Does this mean your shop is back in operation? That pic is very tasty; the Blue!, the block inlays, snake head, the little curve at the top of the peg head, the 'L' logo inlay. File photo or current project?