fancy "bling" mandos.

[kevbuch]

Personally, although I see the appeal, I find f styles a little gaudy, but I am a fan of fancy finish and cool inlays, etc. Let's have a topic with pictures of decked out mandos!

[dcoventry]

I'll start:

http://www.vintagemandolin.com/95phoenix_ultra_168.html

AND, I bet it sounds real purty, too.

[Michael Bridges]

Check out this beauty http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...ng-and-carving
I'm a huge fan of Ken's Silverangel mandos. He does some amazing work, and one of the most unique sounds out there!

[kevbuch]

Wowww O.O

Forgot to mention, this topic is for engravings too.

[M.Marmot]

Heres some pretty bling old style mandolin engravings from a Mr. D. Christie

http://www.drewchristie.com/

[Marty Jacobson]

I might have made one that matches that description... :-)

[kevbuch]

I might have made one that matches that description... :-)

I saw you post this before and I think it's great. Awesome inlay that compliments the wood's natural beauty rather than drawing the eye away from it. I can honestly say that i haven't seen an inlay job that I've admired more.

Some cool finishes. I like the Nassau blue.
http://www.ebmworks.com/Instrument-Gallery.html

[pheffernan]

Marty, your A models with f-holes are absolutely gorgeous.

[Tom Haywood]

I believe the pinstripe mandolin inlay has a big future because it is both elegant and understated.

[Michael Bridges]

Agree, Tom. It's "Bling", but tasteful, and sounds even better than it looks! (Loooves me some pinstripes!)

I believe the pinstripe mandolin inlay has a big future because it is both elegant and understated.

[Steve L]

I might have made one that matches that description... :-)

Your work is stunning, Marty...really beautiful.

[JeffD]

The Weber Aspen II comes as a pretty serious understated formal quiet tasteful mandolin. I then went and had it all blinged up.

I have never been happier with it.

[allenhopkins]

Unfortunately the "blingiest" mandolins are the eBay gems from Vietnam via Taiwan. Too many examples to cite.

[Michael Bridges]

That's a hoot, Jeff! Love it. Very nicely done.

The Weber Aspen II comes as a pretty serious understated formal quiet tasteful mandolin. I then went and had it all blinged up.

I have never been happier with it.

[Charles E.]

This Gibson "Sam Bush" F-5 is in the classifieds.....

http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/73115

NFI

[Nick Gellie]

Marty, your A models with f-holes are absolutely gorgeous.

I think his offset oval hole mandolins look just as great and if I may say so, unique in the world of oval hole mandolins. Great sound too!

[Nick Gellie]

I live cool beautiful inlays on the headstock. I prefer to see the rest of the mandolin understated. Bling is over-rated on an instrument. Greek bouzoukis are the ultimate in bling although there is an Australian living in Adelaide who makes beautifully understated ones. Great sound too.

Ah yes, bling can be a distraction and if it is not done right, it can be gaudy and over the top.

[kevbuch]

Bump

[Mark Wilson]

I might have made one that matches that description... :-)

My favorite Jacobson! It sounds good just looking at it. Nice photography as well.

I'll admit to not wanting to own an OTT blinged guitar or mandolin. Like too much makeup on pretty women I cringe when I see same on instrument.

[Mark Wilson]

"Purple bling"


Craigslist in Charotte

[William Smith]

I use to own that phoenix Ultra, sold it about 8-10 years ago, still looks the same and wasn't too bad sounding, very fancy mandolin with all the abalone/shell. It was pretty light and responsive. I really liked the small neck on her! Chop and noting was way different than say an F-5 Gibson. Can't keep em all. And the Beat goes on.

[Paul Kotapish]

Jody Stecher's been playing one of those blinged-out Vietnamese octave-mando thingies at some shows for the last few years. It's pretty funky, but it looks nice and flashy from a distance. Paul Hostetter did a great job tweaking the setup it has a very nice sound.

[Paul Kotapish]

This Doug Unger A model is tricked out with oodles of old-fashioned ornaments and details. Oddly subtle and over-the-top at the same time.

Attachment 113876

Attachment 113877

Love this tailpiece cover:



Check out more details at the Music Emporium's page.

[belbein]

I'll start:

http://www.vintagemandolin.com/95phoenix_ultra_168.html

AND, I bet it sounds real purty, too.

Well, it's not for me, but the inlay is nicely done, and the use of space (like that peghead design) is very nice.

[glissando]

Here is mine, sort of a non-traditional resonator mandolin.