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Bulldog Mandolins
I just recently acquired Bulldog #84 via trade, and I couldn't be happier with it. Aesthetically, its everything one could hope for: clean work, beautiful satin finish, and gorgeous inlay. As far as tone, its dark, loud, and speaks with clarity. It's is also exceptionally playable, having a radius fretboard and medium frets. I love it and would encourage any player, on any level to give Bulldog/Kratzer mandolins a try. I can't wait to record and play live with it! If you own a Bulldog, I would love to hear your sentiments as well :) Andrew
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Thanks Andrew, glad your liking it...That mandolin was red spruce and red maple....bk
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I have had 2 of Barry's mandolins: #4 & #10. They were and are excellent mandolins. #4 was an F5 with beautiful Koa back & sides with cedar top, dark mellow sound. #10 also an F5 it had maple back and sides and spruce top loud and balanced tone. My favorite was the Koa with fern head stock inlay. I wish I still had it. Had to move both because of financial needs. May be again some day.
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I have #45, a lovely two-point with translucent black finish. A dandy mandolin!
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I've got #1. A beautiful F5 with sycamore back and sides and a spruce top. It's coming on to ten years that I got lucky enough to have it cross my path.
Pete
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I have #85. An 1850 Redwood top in a non-traditional F style. Jim
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A little late to the thread but just wanted to chime in that I'm the proud owner of #21. Bought it four years ago and have no plans to get rid of it. I get compliments on it wherever I go.
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Barry,
Just out of curiosity where in Savannah is your shop? I was a long time resident on the Isle of Hope about 1/4 mile from Randy Wood before he moved to Bloomindale. Got to know him pretty good. I moved to Virginia after retiring from the GPA. Moved on from guitars to mandolins but really just beginning.
Tom Armstrong (Gasawdust)
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Tom, I actually live in Garden City . GA 307, which is Dean Forest Road is owned by Savannah. Pooler is just across the street. As the crow flys , about 4 miles from the airport..bk
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Barry,
OK, I know the area well.....just down the street from Spanky's.
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There seems to be dozens of threads titled 'Bulldog Mandolins'. Guess I'll revive a relatively recent one to add my two cents worth.
I got to play one a few days ago. It was handed to me to try out, and in my opinion, it was an excellent mandolin. I'm no mandolin virtuoso, but I have enough experience to know a nice mandolin when I see/play it. It was strong and well balanced, very comfortable neck profile and radius.
Funny thing though (at least to me). I saw the name on the headstock... Kratzer. Never put two and two together enough to realize that Kratzer was Bulldog. Always heard good things about Bulldog mandolins. Now I know why.
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I have tried to integrate my last name into my instruments as smoothly as I can. Maybe I should have started doing that back in 2000. I am about to build my 100th mandolin as Kratzer/Bulldog. Many of you know I had a building partner from 1993 to 2000, we built well over 35 mandolins. I was active duty Air Force still during this time, but usually at home base. The 2nd phase of the Gulf War prevented me from building anything for almost 5 years ,2000 to late 2004. I was always gone to the sand box. I did manage to build my first "Bulldog" F model around late 2000, I think, but didn't resume building until December 2004 . I retired in Jan 2008, with 36 years of service completed. I want to continue building as long as I can, I really love doing it, keeps me busy and out of the wife's way...she does the inlay work. Thanks for the Cafe and all it's supportive members
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Hey Barry,
Maybe this will bring back some fond memories.
Attachment 159467
I saw this on the headblock while testing a endoscope.
Pete
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Wow Pete, 16 years ago. It did shake my memory , that is my first Bulldog mandolin. I was in the Desert in 2000. When I built that mandolin I didn't even have a shop, I built it on my dining room table in between deployments
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Hey. Barry! Good to hear all the nice things about your luthiery! All true! Not a mention of your bass playing! (My first intro to the Kala Bass...I'd have sworn it was an upright...well played!) PS When are you gonna' build a u-bass...put my name on the list!
Rush:popcorn:
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Hey Barry,
have you built, or plan on building any Econo A models?
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Hi Barry,
Your #1 is my #1 mandolin as well. I've had it for over 11 years now. Maybe some Gulf sand got into the build and resonates with me. I was over there twice (1987 & 1992) for a "let's not call this a military action" and a "war's over quick, nothing to see here, look over there".
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Yes ccravens, I am working on # 100 F model, it's already sold, and an A model that's not spoken for yet. I have not installed binding as of now on the A model , but it could become an econo model ! We are going to Germany this week , on a hunt for more good wood and hardware. Pete, I'm so happy about your love for your Bulldog mandolin, those deployment days to the desert were tough times, I'm so glad that's over. War has a residual effect on a person, years later PTSD symptoms can arise without notice.
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An old thread I know, but I just picked up an F4 Hybrid Bulldog, 32 008. Sweet sounding machine, have had difficulty adjusting the truss rod, bit got it playable and think I may play it a lot this summer.
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Does it have "The Bulldog" in Gibson style script on the headstock? I had Barry build one like that for me and it sounds like number 32 would have been close to when I ordered mine. I was playing more guitar at the time and sold it. Nice mandolin. I miss ole Barry. He was a good friend
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Attachment 201798
Here is a photo of 32.
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