Resource Allocation

[mandroid]

1998 Mid-Missouri M-0
1984 Flatiron 1N
2009 Redline Traveler
2007 Gypsy Vagabond
1924 Gibson A Snakehead
2005 Collings MT

cull the flat tops to 1 , and add another voice

mandola , Tenor Guitar , mandocello, or maybe an electric .

[pheffernan]

But within the context of the OP's thought process, it sounded like he was trying to choose between multiple medium-quality instruments or one single "greatly superior" one. So I was merely trying to boil it down to what was more important with the dollar investment he currently has: owning lots of instruments to look at (only being able to play one at a time), or having one instrument to devote all his attention to...So that's where I was going with it, if it's helpful at all.

It was very helpful, as I believe you articulated the dilemma better than I did in the original post. So for the dollar investment I currently have, would you like to see me behind the Ellis A5 Deluxe?

http://www.fiddlersgreenmusicshop.co....Pgl8Ekoe.dpbs

[pheffernan]

cull the flat tops to 1 , and add another voice

mandola , Tenor Guitar , mandocello, or maybe an electric .

While I wasn't necessarily fishing for advice, I will confess that I have had similar thoughts. But which flattop?

[DataNick]

It was very helpful, as I believe you articulated the dilemma better than I did in the original post. So for the dollar investment I currently have, would you like to see me behind the Ellis A5 Deluxe?

http://www.fiddlersgreenmusicshop.co....Pgl8Ekoe.dpbs

No,

I'd like to me myself behind the Ellis A5 Deluxe...LOL!

[pheffernan]

No, I'd like to me myself behind the Ellis A5 Deluxe...LOL!

While I appreciate the humor, I'm curious if you ever think about a significant merger where you fold your four mandolins into one. You've moved out of your Country Boy recently, and while you've been effusive in your praise of the Flatiron Pertormer, you've made no secret of your desire to acquire something with Gibson on the headstock. Do you ever think about going all in on something like this one? http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/72313

[fatt-dad]

While I wasn't necessarily fishing for advice, I will confess that I have had similar thoughts. But which flattop?

I can't imagine trumping the 1N. Have you tried it with T-I Mittels? I think with the oval hole snakehead and the f-hole MT the 1N would round out your collection completely. That said, don't seek my advice. I like having a few extra for fun!

f-d

[DataNick]

While I appreciate the humor, I'm curious if you ever think about a significant merger where you fold your four mandolins into one. You've moved out of your Country Boy recently, and while you've been effusive in your praise of the Flatiron Pertormer, you've made no secret of your desire to acquire something with Gibson on the headstock. Do you ever think about going all in on something like this one? http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/72313

Good question and I'll try to be as brief as possible. I'm definitely a serious player who also is a collector. Every mando in my stable currently has a place/purpose:

1. The 96 Flatiron Festival A is my "beater". I take it to work every day to play on my lunch hour; it has a pickup, and it's set-up makes it real easy to play. Tone is pretty good, volume is fair; to me it's a perfect "take wherever" mando that wouldn't kill me if I lost it, etc.

2. The 99 "Derrington" Flatiron Performer A has the best tone in my stable, has good volume, is a really good "bluegrass" voiced mando. As I've noted before, Shaun Garrity said he'd buy it in a heartbeat; and it has those real "classic Gibsonesque" bluegrass qualities. Even if I had Shaun's Heiden, my "Derrington" Flat is going nowhere.

3. The 2010 Eastman MD515 has the typical "Eastman" voicing in spades, and is very loud. It makes for a perfect "jam" mando where tone is not really important. It has real nice playability, good bark, nice "pop" on chopping chords. Again, if I had a Heiden or Ellis, I'm not so sure I'd want to cart it to the weekly Bluegrass jam where it's crowded, it could get something spilled on it, get whacked, etc., all of which has happened to my Eastman at one time or another.

4. Then the 2012 J Bovier F5 Studio: It's my stage axe because it's got the tone, bark, pop, etc. and it is extremely loud, playability is great, etc. It's tone is a shade below the 99 Flat, not as "refined" as Steve Sorensen put it, and the highs don't "cut through" like the 99 Flat per Shaun, but it's good enough; I get compliments on it's sound at gigs all the time.

I also play/practice all my mandos faithfully: the 96 Flat every weekday at work, the 99 Flat weekly at band rehearsals and a few other times weekly, the Eastman at the weekly jam and other times like in the mornings, and the JBovier a couple of times a week. I'd play it more, but I'm trying to stave off as much as possible the re-fret it's gonna need soon.

So let's suppose I have the Gibson F9 added to my stable. I would incorporate it into my daily 2-3 hours of practice/play, and it would be my stage axe.

When I go to the "Great 48" Jam next week, I'm taking the JBovier and the 96 Flatiron Festival A; 2 with me, 2 left at home, and if something happened I'd still have an axe I could use on stage waiting for me at home.

The Ratliff Country Boy F5 I had did not have the type of "bluegrass" voicing I prefer, but it is a real nice mando. The cafe member who bought it from me plays a more folk and Irish Trad style and it is perfect for his needs.

Sorry for the long answer, but I hope you now understand my thinking more; and btw: I plan on 3 mando acquisitions this year: Gibson F9, Derrington Flatiron Festival F, and a Bozeman (pre-Gibson) Flatiron Festival/Performer F. I guess going all in on an F5 for example that you asked about would be equivalent to me acquiring the F9. The finish and appointments of an F5 vs F9 aren't important to me, and those "Florida" fingerboard extensions drive me crazy!...LOL!

[UsuallyPickin]

I will only know the answer to this question when I am faced with that situation.....and I hope I never am .. of course.... as a supposition over a beer .... it could go either way........ The only thing I can say for sure is that I couldn't order a new instrument from a prominent builder.... the waiting period would drive me to distraction.... R/

[pheffernan]

Have you tried it with T-I Mittels?

I have not, although I was looking at a set and considering that possibility just yesterday. I decided to hold off, though, as I'm awaiting the delivery of some GHS A-250's that a poster who will remain nameless has shilled for mercilessly in the past. I do have my first set of TI's on the Gypsy, however, and I'm a believer.

I can't imagine trumping the 1N.

I don't imagine "trumping," though I have convinced myself that they are somewhat differently voiced despite all being modern domestic flattops. The 1N is certainly the most dynamic and well suited for the Old Time jams that I don't attend. Conversely, the Gypsy is the most resonant and therefore a better fit for the Irish sessions that I don't frequent. The Mid-Missouri is the warmest and thus the best choice for the vocal accompaniments that I don't perform. Finally, the Redline is the bassiest making it the perfect compromise for the bluegrasser on frequent business trips that I don't take. There is a tool for every non-job.

[Minorkey]

I'd pop the money on a whole raft of different instruments, mandolin, mandocello, lute, harp, chittaron etc. I just love acoustic instruments. They have a life of their own.

[pheffernan]

Sorry for the long answer, but I hope you now understand my thinking more

I think I do. You have a mandolin for work (Festival), home (Performer), jams (Eastman), and stage (Bovier).

and btw: I plan on 3 mando acquisitions this year: Gibson F9, Derrington Flatiron Festival F, and a Bozeman (pre-Gibson) Flatiron Festival/Performer F.

Will these acquisitions fill three new roles or replace three departures (i.e. the Bozeman F replaces the Festival A at work, the Derrington F takes the place of the Eastman at jams, and the F9 assumes the role of stage axe from the Bovier)?

I guess going all in on an F5 for example that you asked about would be equivalent to me acquiring the F9.

While a fine instrument, the F9 isn't quite what I would consider one "greatly superior" instrument commensurate with your budget of past and planned expenditures. What if you could convert all of them into one Stanley V5? http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/72302

The finish and appointments of an F5 vs F9 aren't important to me, and those "Florida" fingerboard extensions drive me crazy!...LOL!

While the instruments that we pursue diverge, you and I are in complete agreement here. If you'll notice, every instrument in my inventory is basically the plain Jane stripped down model. I just want to hear how they sound.

[DataNick]

I think I do. You have a mandolin for work (Festival), home (Performer), jams (Eastman), and stage (Bovier).

Not quite, the Festival is a "beater" that I always take with me everywhere, ready to have a mando to play. Often I take 2 mandos. And I'm taking the JBovier to the "Great 48 Jam", but you're assumption is close.

Will these acquisitions fill three new roles or replace three departures (i.e. the Bozeman F replaces the Festival A at work, the Derrington F takes the place of the Eastman at jams, and the F9 assumes the role of stage axe from the Bovier)?

Not really, F9 and Derrington Flatiron Festival F both for stage axes, the Bozeman Flatiron F for collectible purposes.

While a fine instrument, the F9 isn't quite what I would consider one "greatly superior" instrument commensurate with your budget of past and planned expenditures. What if you could convert all of them into one Stanley V5? http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/72302

For me the difference between the "IT" sound (Shaun's Heiden) and a real good bluegrass axe sound (my Derrington Flatiron Performer A) is such that I'm not in all that big of a hurry to mortage everything to get it. Once my stable is 3 more deep, I may consider at some point a combo of mandos to acquire such a mando if the timing is right. The problem with combining the Eastman, Festival A and JBovier is that they're really worth more to me in terms of sound/function than they are in ROI $$.

Hope that helps!

Oh & yeeah for those wondering why not the Derrington Flat Perf A for stage; Come On Man, I gotta have that scroll, LOL!

Also wanted to add this equation Derrington Flatiron Festival F = Gibson F5G of the same era.

[Steve Zawacki]

Just a thought - can you look at your inventory and say, "no matter what, these two stay?" If you can, then most of your decision has been made, since you really have only semi-interest in the non-selectees. If you can't make that decision, then accept the fact that half the fun is in the collecting and not the playing. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, as we all have been there with something.

Have never met a woman who said she had too many diamonds and was willing to liquidate them all to get a different one - mandolins are no different if you enjoy collecting and they all bring a smile.

[pheffernan]

I really want to change out a few of my mandolins though. I want a red spruce/maple A5, which I have. I just want to go with a Virginia builder, so I'll be selling a couple (Muth and Phoenix) to fund another mandolin.

I know you're an A kind of guy, but how about this Gerald Anderson F5? http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/72351

[fatt-dad]

Yes, I saw that! Look forward to see if the ad includes a photo. That said, I'd not likely pursue its purchase.

I'll wait for my Henderson A4. . .

f-d

[JeffD]

Still, I wonder sometimes, like dslaboone's wife, whether I'd be better off converting the whole budget into a single "greatly superior" one. So, I figured I'd frame the issue as a hypothetical: if your collection of mandolins vaporized and you got a replacement value check from your insurer, how would you spend it? Would you pour it into the best single instrument you could afford? Or would you diversify your portfolio? Knowing what you know now, how would you allocate your mandolin resources?

I have always bought the best mandolin I could reasonably afford at the time. So the more realistic outcome of your hypothetical is as follows: Spend all the money on the best single mandolin I can find at that price. Start saving up for the next mandolin.

[pheffernan]

For me the difference between the "IT" sound (Shaun's Heiden) and a real good bluegrass axe sound (my Derrington Flatiron Performer A) is such that I'm not in all that big of a hurry to mortage everything to get it.

This is your most succinct response to the hypothetical yet. The difference between the Performer (which you've graded as an 8.5 to an 8.8 recently) and the "greatly superior" instrument (like the Heiden you reference) is not sufficient at this point to motivate you to go all in on one mandolin.

Once my stable is 3 more deep, I may consider at some point a combo of mandos to acquire such a mando if the timing is right. The problem with combining the Eastman, Festival A and JBovier is that they're really worth more to me in terms of sound/function than they are in ROI $$.

I understand, which is why liquidating any single one of them doesn't do much for you. But move all three, sprinkle in the savings from the Country Boy, top it off with your anticipated 2014 budget, and all of a sudden you're swinging in a different weight class.

Hope that helps!

It helped a lot, Nick. Good luck in your quest.

[pheffernan]

Just a thought - can you look at your inventory and say, "no matter what, these two stay?" If you can, then most of your decision has been made, since you really have only semi-interest in the non-selectees. If you can't make that decision, then accept the fact that half the fun is in the collecting and not the playing. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, as we all have been there with something.

I know that I have collecting tendencies extending back to the baseball cards and comic books of my youth. I also know that those tendencies have followed me into adulthood and the world of musical instruments, including the guitars I bought when I was a younger man. In terms of my mandolin inventory, I have not reached the "no matter what" stage, the lifetime achievement award, with any of them. I do have, however, a pair of reigning world champions, and in order to become the champ, you need to beat the champ. Several have tried; none has succeeded. And yes, by touting two champs, I well know the identities of the "non-selectees," fallen heroes of an earlier day.

[fatt-dad]

re: The selloff.

For me it's not "just" about the sound. There's an element of "story" involved. Some of my instruments have been with me long enough, that there are stories connected to my time with them. I realize that they are "just" possessions, but why cast off those possessions that reflect on your history?

On that basis, I'm keeping my 1920 A3, my 1930 L-1 (guitar), my Flatiron 1N (may give it to my son) and my Cohen. I mean I've only had my Cohen for a year and a-half, but I've known the wacky doctor for 10 years and he built me a favor - I mean it's more than what I paid in value returned. (And where else will I get a redwood/walnut mandolin?).

I'm less "connected" to my Muth and Phoenix, both great mandolins. So, they are the ones that I'll ultimately sell - all in good time. . .

f-d

[Ryk Loske]

What Fatt-Dad said. It's not just the instruments but the stories. The Rigel I-110 and the whole story with Pete on that and my Moll non-cut 18" 7-string guitar and all the stories involved with that. I think a lot of sellers remorse comes with the loss of the stories.

Ryk

[pheffernan]

btw: I plan on 3 mando acquisitions this year: Gibson F9, Derrington Flatiron Festival F, and a Bozeman (pre-Gibson) Flatiron Festival/Performer F.

This year has arrived: http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/72430

[DataNick]

This year has arrived: http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/72430

Yeah I talked to Kevin bout that one.

I've got a couple on my radar but my finances won't be ready till May...Thanks!

[Eddie Sheehy]

Nick, the MT is gone. Forget an F9 or F5G, you know you want the Sam Bush... j/k

[sgarrity]

You've got to find the instrument that speaks to you, that makes you want to pick it up and play. I've been through periods where I had a lot of different instruments and I just didn't play them all. There's nothing wrong with what you currently have if you enjoy them.

[DataNick]

You've got to find the instrument that speaks to you, that makes you want to pick it up and play. I've been through periods where I had a lot of different instruments and I just didn't play them all. There's nothing wrong with what you currently have if you enjoy them.

Shaun,

If you're talkin to me, you're right, especially the "Derriington" Flatiron Perf A...but I gots to have at least that sound or greater in an F5 made by Gibson Brotha!.....LOL!