Pics of JBovier Mandos Please...

[Nalapombu]

Hey all,

I just recently found out about this mandolin brand and from the few articles and posts I have been able to read, they are a very nice mandolin. They make both an A and F styles and the black topped models look especially nice.

Since I haven't been around too long, I thought I'd ask you guys and gals to post some pics and info about the JBovier mandos. I'd like see more of their stuff for sure and hear your experience with them, if you don't mind sharing.

Thanks for the help and your time.

Nalajr

[CWRoyds]

Hey Nalajr,

Here are some photos of my J Bovier F5 Special.
They are not great photos, but all I had was an iPhone so they are what they are.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/3w5twpnqi...F1qvkhHra?dl=0

I totally LOVE my J Bovier F5.
I went around to all the stores in Los Angeles and played a lot of different Mandolins.
The only ones that gave mine a run for its money were many thousands of dollars more in cost.
It is very loud and has a great woody tone.
There is a lively "pop" to the strings.
It is still a little bit "tight" in the sound, but that will open up with some time and effort.

I think that for the money they are the best thing out there.
They are beautifully made and the woods are lovely.
The radius fretboard makes playing a breeze, and the neck is very comfortable.
I fitted mine out with an armrest and a tone guard for the back.

I can't wait for the tone to fully open, as it will be a monster of a mandolin when that happens.
I would highly recommend the J Bovier line of mandolins.
Get the F5 Special if you can, but the A5 Special looks amazing too, but at a lower cost.
I am planning on getting an A5 Special at some point just for the fun of it.

Good luck in your mandolin hunting.

[Michael Bridges]

Here are some pics of my A5T. The only difference from the A5S is the se of "Plainer" looking woods. Less flame in the grain. Still built to the same spec as the fancier models, tho. For the difference in price, I can live with that! I agree, these are, IMO, the best bang-for-the bck going. In the 4 or 5 months I've had mine, it's already showed signs of developing an even nicer sound, and it was really good out of the box. Jeff really has these things dialed in. I think you'll be really happy if yo go with one! Check out the JB Facebook page. There are some excellent pics and videos, and yo can contact Jeff directly. He's an extremely nice and knowledgeable guy, and really helpful with any ?'s ya got.

[Mike Bunting]

Google JBovier and you'll see tons of them.

[avaldes]

This is from the "Post a picture" forum:
http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...-name-Bowlback

[mandobassman]

Here's some photos of my A5 (now known as the A5 Special). It was the first A5 mandolin made by the new Chinese builders at the end of 2013 to introduce the new 2014 models. When I bought this, I was told by Jeff Cowherd that this is the very mandolin that was used for the website photos. I can't begin to tell you how happy I have been with this mandolin. I have played some very high end mandolins over the years and this compares very favorably with several of them at literally a fraction of the cost. A good friend of mine is a J Bovier dealer and I've had the chance to play 3 or 4 of them and they have all been very good. One of the features I really like about mine is the pattern of grain in the back of the neck. Here are some photos.

[Nalapombu]

Thanks for posting that one. Boy it is NICE!! I like the A5 Special too, but in the black top variety. That's the one I'd choose for myself, but I sure wouldn't be unhappy with yours.

When you talk about how it compares very favorably to high end mandos, are you talking about A or F style mandos? Just curious.

Thanks

Nalajr

[mandobassman]

Whenever I compare mandolins I never think in terms of A vs. F. Just this mandolin vs. that mandolin. I played for several years with a great mandolin player from Houston that played a couple of outstanding mandolins. One was a Gibson 1942 F5, that several years later I found selling on eBay for over $30K, and the other was a 2002 Smith Creek. I also played a Nugget A model that was one of the best mandolins I ever laid my hands on. That mandolin was worth around $20K. I would be a fool to suggest that my J Bovier is as good as any of those, but the difference is no where near as great as the cost difference would suggest. It is really a great playing and great sounding mandolin.

[darrylicshon]

This is my F5-T

[mandobassman]

I like the A5 Special too, but in the black top variety

I know someone who bought a black F5 Special. It is beautiful. The back is sunburst but the front is not really black, but more of a very dark wine color. You can see it in the light but it's almost impossible to catch in a photograph. Very nice mando.

[sachmo63]

I HATE the phrase "good for the money". It's simply an excuse for buying a pack rim instrument.

My bovier special is a wonderful instrument that I would put up against other builders with few exceptions.

I've went through a huge number of instruments that cost between $500 and $10,000 (don't tell my wife) and I figured out I was buying the name on the headstock not the mandolin itself.

I think the Boviers are a great quality mandolin that will last a longtime.

[nordian]

Here are some pics of my Bovier A5 Special purchased from Kyle Dunn at The Mando Shop. It came with a very good setup and I had Kyle add the Allen tailpiece before shipping. I have been very satisfied with this mandolin.

[Tommcgtx]

Have you seen these?

http://jazzmando.com/j_bovier_f5z_.shtml



I have one coming, and absolutely can't wait!

[sgrexa]

Here's some photos of my A5 (now known as the A5 Special). It was the first A5 mandolin made by the new Chinese builders at the end of 2013 to introduce the new 2014 models. When I bought this, I was told by Jeff Cowherd that this is the very mandolin that was used for the website photos. I can't begin to tell you how happy I have been with this mandolin.

Love the flame in the neck Larry. One of these days I hope to run into you and check this one out. I did play with Jimmy Heffernan a few weeks ago and man that guy can pick that dobro! I had a Bovier H5 style mandola and it was a very fine instrument, I just didn't have time to devote to it and let it go. Shoot me a PM and let me know if you are still doing that gig at the Mexican Food Factory.

Sean

[gk1]

First post, as until now I haven't had anything to say that would add to a discussion, as I'm brand new to the mandolin and like to soak up information before speaking; I hope that doesn't break any Internet rules

Anyway, I got a JBovier F5T blacktop about a month ago for my first mandolin. Here are the pics Jeff sent me:

[lflngpicker]

Here's my JB A5 Special!

[mandopaul]

Wonder how these compare to the Kentucky 900? I noticed that the Kentucky's have more of a re curve along the edges, these not so much.

[Mickey King]

I played a blem A5 that Jeff had for sale at SPBGMA. I should have bought, it was the best sounding one of the bunch he had there. Went back the next day and it had already sold. I was very, very impressed for a $400 mandolin! BTW I also picked up a Kentucky 900 at the Saga booth, it just didn't do anything for me.

[lflngpicker]

I liked it better than the KM-1000 that I had, which also is very nice mandolin. It depends on your taste and the type of music you are playing with it. I just love the sound and playability of J Bovier mandolins.