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Thread: Leach F Custom Mandolin

  1. #1

    Default Leach F Custom Mandolin

    Hi there,

    I'm brand new to the forum and just took delivery of my F custom mandolin from luthier and inlay artist Harvey Leach.

    I'm also relatively new to the world of mandolins as my main instruments are guitar and piano.

    In any case, here are a few photos of my mandolin.

    Click image for larger version. 

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  2. The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to joecharter For This Useful Post:


  3. #2
    Registered User G. Fisher's Avatar
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    Default Re: Leach F Custom Mandolin

    That is incredible inlay work. How does the mandolin sound?
    “Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.”

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  4. #3
    I may be old but I'm ugly billhay4's Avatar
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    Default Re: Leach F Custom Mandolin

    I'd like to hear it, too.
    Bill
    IM(NS)HO

  5. #4

    Default Re: Leach F Custom Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by G. Fisher View Post
    That is incredible inlay work. How does the mandolin sound?
    Thank you -- Harvey is a very talented artist.

    The mandolin plays beautifully and I love spending time with it. In terms of sound, I wish I had a Gibson around for comparison purposes. I will post recordings when I am more comfortable with the instrument. Right now I am just practicing my scales and arpeggios.

  6. #5

    Default Re: Leach F Custom Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by billhay4 View Post
    I'd like to hear it, too.
    Bill
    I will do my best...

  7. #6

    Default Re: Leach F Custom Mandolin

    Not my style, but it's gorgeous art none-the-less. I don't think I could bring myself to play that for fear of scratching it If it sounds half as good as it looks, you're set. congrats!

    Not to hijack the thread, but do bound F holes make a large difference in the instrument's tone, sound, etc.? I don't see many of examples.

  8. #7
    Registered User JAK's Avatar
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    Default Re: Leach F Custom Mandolin

    Music meets art, great eye candy!
    John A. Karsemeyer

  9. #8
    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
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    Default Re: Leach F Custom Mandolin

    Lovely!
    Steve
    Steve Sorensen
    Sorensen Mandolin & Guitar Co.
    www.sorensenstrings.com

  10. #9
    Registered User Kowboy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Leach F Custom Mandolin

    There's a very good reason for buying such an instrument. When we're much too old to play, we can just hang it on the wall and enjoy it's beauty. Just thinking, all I want is a pearl inlaid trussrod cover.
    Kenny B. Playing on a Stelling S-5Q #144
    Lakota Leathers strap
    Blue Chip CT55 pick & SR-50
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    Virtuoso Premium Polish / Yes I clean & polish my mandolin

  11. #10
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    Default Re: Leach F Custom Mandolin

    The inlay including the abalone around the body is beautiful. The various materials used in the inlay are very interesting. I recognize mother of pearl and abalone but what are those other materials used, like the humming birds feathers, the yellow beak and the red markings? You're off to a great start being relatively new to the mandolin.

  12. #11
    Registered User mtucker's Avatar
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    Default Re: Leach F Custom Mandolin

    Harvey is a great inlay artist and also a former fellow Vermonter who, like me, decided to head to Cali way back when. He supplied me with a NAMM pass a few years back and we had some chuckles …cheers on your mandolin!

  13. #12

    Default Re: Leach F Custom Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by SCIFIDELITY View Post
    Not my style, but it's gorgeous art none-the-less. I don't think I could bring myself to play that for fear of scratching it If it sounds half as good as it looks, you're set. congrats!

    Not to hijack the thread, but do bound F holes make a large difference in the instrument's tone, sound, etc.? I don't see many of examples.
    Thank you. At first I intended to remove the pickguard to play the mandolin -- but in the end I decided to leave it on. The inlays are quite thick and if needed we can just sand off the surface for a fresh new look.

    As for the bound F-holes, they are mostly time consuming and historically inaccurate -- but otherwise I doubt they have any impact on the sound at all.

  14. #13

    Default Re: Leach F Custom Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Hudmister View Post
    The inlay including the abalone around the body is beautiful. The various materials used in the inlay are very interesting. I recognize mother of pearl and abalone but what are those other materials used, like the humming birds feathers, the yellow beak and the red markings? You're off to a great start being relatively new to the mandolin.
    Thank you. Time will tell whether it was worth the spending...

    As per Harvey, materials for inlays include orange spiny oyster recon, corian, white and yellow MOP, awabi, agoya, green abalone, atlante, malachite recon and mahogany. The edging on the body would be paua.

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  16. #14

    Default Re: Leach F Custom Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by mtucker View Post
    Harvey is a great inlay artist and also a former fellow Vermonter who, like me, decided to head to Cali way back when. He supplied me with a NAMM pass a few years back and we had some chuckles …cheers on your mandolin!
    I just visited Vermont a few weeks ago. Beautiful landscape. My family is also in LA...

    Harvey has been great to work with. I'm very satisfied with my mandolin.

  17. #15

    Default Re: Leach F Custom Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by JAK View Post
    Music meets art, great eye candy!
    Quote Originally Posted by StevenS View Post
    Lovely!
    Steve
    Quote Originally Posted by Kowboy View Post
    There's a very good reason for buying such an instrument. When we're much too old to play, we can just hang it on the wall and enjoy it's beauty. Just thinking, all I want is a pearl inlaid trussrod cover.
    Thank you, gents.

    I hope to post a video in the coming days. As soon as I can play a decent tune for a minute or two...

  18. #16
    Kelley Mandolins Skip Kelley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Leach F Custom Mandolin

    Joe, Congratulations! That is a fine looking mandolin!

  19. #17

    Default Re: Leach F Custom Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Skip Kelley View Post
    Joe, Congratulations! That is a fine looking mandolin!
    Thanks so much.

    I'm still new to the instrument and my technique isn't up to par just yet but here's a quick recording of my Leach F mando -- my modest attempt at "Old Daingerfield":

    http://youtu.be/1qnDMgQ8TNQ


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  21. #18
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    Default Re: Leach F Custom Mandolin

    Methinks you undersell yourself.
    I was compelled to check out your work on youtube.
    Beautiful guitar playing.
    Where can we buy your recordings?
    Les.

  22. #19
    Resonate globally Pete Jenner's Avatar
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    Default Re: Leach F Custom Mandolin

    The best sounding inlays I've ever heard.
    The more I learn, the less I know.

    Peter Jenner
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  24. #20

    Default Re: Leach F Custom Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Les View Post
    Methinks you undersell yourself.
    I was compelled to check out your work on youtube.
    Beautiful guitar playing.
    Where can we buy your recordings?
    Les.
    Thank you for your kind words.

    I hadn't used a pick in many years and my usual repertoire isn't even remotely close to bluegrass -- but I was always fascinated by F mandolins so I just had to give it a shot.

    For the time being my recordings are available on YouTube and SoundCloud. I love playing music but won't rely on it to afford inlays on my instruments...

  25. #21

    Default Re: Leach F Custom Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Pete Jenner View Post
    The best sounding inlays I've ever heard.
    Inlays "sound" even better in person...

    Thanks for listening!

  26. #22
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Leach F Custom Mandolin

    Great playing -- both on mandolin and guitar! I sort of like the moody dark look of your video but might prefer a bit more light -- like the guitar ones.
    Jim

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  27. #23
    Registered User mtucker's Avatar
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    Default Re: Leach F Custom Mandolin

    So many directions you could head in with that Leach and your IQ on the fretboard.
    Take a look at Mr. Stiernberg here and some of his other stuff.


  28. #24

    Default Re: Leach F Custom Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    Great playing -- both on mandolin and guitar! I sort of like the moody dark look of your video but might prefer a bit more light -- like the guitar ones.
    Thanks for the encouragement. I agree with you that the video is a bit dark. I need to buy a new camera with wireless liveview so I can better gauge lighting. I make a conscious effort to be sort of consistent in my videos but it's quite tricky. A few degrees off here and there can have a dramatic impact on the results.

  29. #25

    Default Re: Leach F Custom Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by mtucker View Post
    So many directions you could head in with that Leach and your IQ on the fretboard.
    Take a look at Mr. Stiernberg here and some of his other stuff.

    Thanks for posting the video. Don is a tasty player.

    I only know how to use a pick because I used to play heavy metal in my teenage years. I still have so much to learn when it comes to traditional/bluegrass -- and I'm thankful that Harvey built such a fun instrument for me to play.

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