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Thread: Black Friday

  1. #1
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Black Friday

    I am aware that there is some debate over the existence of a true blacktop A2-z complete with the model designation on the label. Consider the debate resolved!

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    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
    2005 National RM-1
    2007 Hester A5
    2009 Passernig A5
    2015 Black A2-z
    2010 Black GBOM
    2017 Poe Scout
    2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
    2018 Vessel TM5
    2019 Hogan F5

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  3. #2
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Black Friday

    Here are some additional shots complete with vintage appropriate pickguard:

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    And Mike posted a YouTube video as well:

    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
    2005 National RM-1
    2007 Hester A5
    2009 Passernig A5
    2015 Black A2-z
    2010 Black GBOM
    2017 Poe Scout
    2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
    2018 Vessel TM5
    2019 Hogan F5

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  5. #3
    This Kid Needs Practice Bill Clements's Avatar
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    Default Re: Black Friday

    Beautiful work.
    Thanks for posting.
    "Music is the only noise for which one is obliged to pay." ~ Alexander Dumas

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  7. #4
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    Default Re: Black Friday

    wow that's nice Do you have it yet? Gonna be an all nighter...

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  9. #5
    two t's and one hyphen fatt-dad's Avatar
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    Default Re: Black Friday

    very cool!

    f-d
    ˇpapá gordo ain’t no madre flaca!

    '20 A3, '30 L-1, '97 914, 2012 Cohen A5, 2012 Muth A5, '14 OM28A

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  11. #6
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    Default Re: Black Friday

    Wow Congrats Patrick. When you told me you were working with Mike on a new build I was anxious to see what would come of it. Simply marvelous! If I recall, this one has a Virzi in it?

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  13. #7
    Mandogenerator Mike Black's Avatar
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    Default Re: Black Friday

    Quote Originally Posted by Clement Barrera-Ng View Post
    If I recall, this one has a Virzi in it?
    Yes, it does have a Virzi.

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  15. #8
    Registered User Russ Donahue's Avatar
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    Default Re: Black Friday

    Lovely....just lovely.
    Make America Grateful Again!

    2013 Collings MF, 2017 Northfield NF2S, 2019 Northfield Big Mon F
    1968 Martin D12-20, 2008 Martin HD28, 2022 Martin CEO 7
    1978 Ibanez Artist "Flying Eagle" Masterclone Banjo

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  17. #9
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Black Friday

    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Wilson View Post
    wow that's nice Do you have it yet? Gonna be an all nighter...
    I got it last Tuesday, just in time to go out of town for the holiday weekend. But I've been playing it a bunch since, and Mike has delivered on my request for a mandolin that looks like one when it came off of the assembly line in Kalamazoo, sounds like one that has been played for ninety years, and plays like one that was built today!
    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
    2005 National RM-1
    2007 Hester A5
    2009 Passernig A5
    2015 Black A2-z
    2010 Black GBOM
    2017 Poe Scout
    2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
    2018 Vessel TM5
    2019 Hogan F5

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  19. #10
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Black Friday

    Quote Originally Posted by fatt-dad View Post
    very cool!
    It makes you wonder what's possible in a snakehead A3!
    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
    2005 National RM-1
    2007 Hester A5
    2009 Passernig A5
    2015 Black A2-z
    2010 Black GBOM
    2017 Poe Scout
    2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
    2018 Vessel TM5
    2019 Hogan F5

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  21. #11

    Default Re: Black Friday

    How does it compare to your snakehead?

  22. #12
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Black Friday

    Quote Originally Posted by Tim Griffin View Post
    How does it compare to your snakehead?
    Therein lies the rub. Unmistakably, the Black A2-z looks better, as I've yet to put a serious mark on it (fingers crossed). And for me, it plays better, with a more pronounced V-profile to the neck that I requested which, along with the radiused board and perfect EVO frets, makes for more comfortable fretting. In terms of tone, taking into account that the Black is wearing newer D'Addario EJ74's while the Gibson has GHS PF270's with some wear, I'd say that they both are characteristically carved ovals with transverse bracing. The Gibson sounds a bit more open and dry, perhaps due to the age, while the Black strikes me as a bit wet with a bit more reverb and sustain, ostensibly because of the Virzi tone producer. I wonder what an X-braced Old Wave oval would sound like by way of comparison . . .
    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
    2005 National RM-1
    2007 Hester A5
    2009 Passernig A5
    2015 Black A2-z
    2010 Black GBOM
    2017 Poe Scout
    2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
    2018 Vessel TM5
    2019 Hogan F5

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  24. #13
    Mando-Afflicted lflngpicker's Avatar
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    Default Re: Black Friday

    I really like the look and the sound, Patrick. Congratulations on your customized Mike Black mandolin! Worth the wait. I was wondering what the appropriate strings are for your new mandolin? My Morris A Oval is very similar in design and I have been using a Martin light gauge (10-34). I have tried J74's, but found the lighter gauge to provide a sweeter and mellower sound. I am curious what came stock on your Black A2-z. I am happy for you, Pat!
    2014 BRW F5 #114
    2022 Kentucky KM 950 Master Model

    YouTube Original Recording of My composition "Closer Walk"

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  26. #14
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Black Friday

    Quote Originally Posted by lflngpicker View Post
    I was wondering what the appropriate strings are for your new mandolin? My Morris A Oval is very similar in design and I have been using a Martin light gauge (10-34). I have tried J74's, but found the lighter gauge to provide a sweeter and mellower sound. I am curious what came stock on your Black A2-z.
    They're a medium string, I'm assuming EJ74's although Mike also revealed that he liked the cryogenic GHS A275's. I intend to try out a few different sets to see how it responds to different materials and gauges, especially on the A course. I'll most likely experiment with a GHS set, as Marla Fibish likes the .016 A's on her Gibson oval, and the Gibson monels, which Pete Martin prefers on his snakehead.
    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
    2005 National RM-1
    2007 Hester A5
    2009 Passernig A5
    2015 Black A2-z
    2010 Black GBOM
    2017 Poe Scout
    2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
    2018 Vessel TM5
    2019 Hogan F5

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  28. #15
    Mando-Afflicted lflngpicker's Avatar
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    Default Re: Black Friday

    Quote Originally Posted by pheffernan View Post
    They're a medium string, I'm assuming EJ74's although Mike also revealed that he liked the cryogenic GHS A275's. I intend to try out a few different sets to see how it responds to different materials and gauges, especially on the A course. I'll most likely experiment with a GHS set, as Marla Fibish likes the .016 A's on her Gibson oval, and the Gibson monels, which Pete Martin prefers on his snakehead.
    I love the monels, though I settled on the Bill Monroe set on my F-9. As you suggested, the monels would be perfect on our old Gibson A (teens). The original strings were on it when the family passed it down. I would say they were steel wounds and talk about durable! There is a certain warmth and resonance to the tone. The Bronze Monroe's have a special ring and a sweetness in tone. The J74's are hard to beat for diameter, and comfortable play for a great price. I will possibly give them a try on my Morris Oval.
    2014 BRW F5 #114
    2022 Kentucky KM 950 Master Model

    YouTube Original Recording of My composition "Closer Walk"

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