Show us what you have and tell us all about it. Gary
Gary what about yours? I guessed from the photos posted you have that gorgeous A5 that Mike made for you.
I left this spot for you Nick so you could be the first. And, I was busy yesterday and was short on time. I fell in love with #5. Mike had it for sale on his site. [It's the bottom A5 on Mike's A5 page.] I waited too long and it was sold. Later I was talking to Mike on another matter and I told him how much I liked that mandolin and he said he could build me one just like it. So, that's what we did. Adi top, maple sides and back, 1 3/16" nut, large frets. I had a few personal touches added. I had Mike leave the fretboard clean. No markers. My mandolin is #11 signed 11/11/11. So I sent Mike a really small antique set of bone dice, and I had him inlay them on the back of the headstock like a rolled 11. The mandolin came out just beautiful. The mandolin sounds good when you pick it up, but after a few minutes the vibration from playing, the body heat or both wake that adi top up and wow. I wish I had it made with a 1 1/8" nut. When I ordered it made I had some real left hand issues. After a few thousand hours of playing [therapy] my hand has greatly improved and likes a slimmer neck now. But, that doesn't stop me from playing #11. It's a delight. Gary
Can't seem to add pictures to the thread at the moment. So I added one to the posted pictures.
Gary what about your other Mike Black instruments?
Patience Patrick. Didn't want to show my whole hand all at once. Give someone else a chance. Besides, like I said above, I can't seem to post a picture on the thread.
Thanks Gary for the wonderful report. Well originally, I ordered no.17 which is a an A4 with the classic reddish brown-black sunburst. For some unknown reason, I sold it to Massimo Gatti in Italy who subsequently sold it to Mandrian in Scotland because of a marital breakup. In remorse, I put out a WTB ad for a Mike Black last year. Mike Romkey kindly sold his A2Z to me and I still have it. In some ways I prefer its looks to no.17. No. 20 has a 1 3/16" nut and is pretty much the same mandolin as the A4. It has a Virzi tone producer inside it and a James tailpiece - nice piece of work. She really cuts through and is a joy to play. I have always wanted a Gibson Snakehead and so this a great deal with its radiused fretboard, Virzi, and modern appointments.
Welcome to the group Dave. Tell us about your A-1. Gary
#26... I picked it up from Mike back in November. It's pretty simple really, reddish brown (no burst) with tortoise top binding. The binding blends in so well that you have to look real close to see it... which is what I wanted. 1 3/16" nut, 7 1/2" radius board. Plays and sounds great. Wish I could figger out how to post pics to the social pages... Dave
Dave, to upload your photos to the social pages, first go to your profile on the cafe. If you have not done so already, create an album and upload your photos there. If you then click on an uploaded photo, it will reveal the web link in the address bar. Copy the address and then paste that address into the add photo in your reply post. I hope that works. We would love to see your Black #26.
Still having photo download issues. Here's a test. Hopefully another shot of #11. Gary