Stunning!
Stunning!
Shaun Garrity
http://www.youtube.com/user/spgokc78
Got a 2005 left handed Heiden F5 scheduled for delivery tomorrow. My understanding is that it's the only left handed F5 he's made. Pretty damn excited.
Bluegrass Boy Let me know what you think. That one was originally mine. & i loved it.
Ya can't beat the excitement of a high end mandolin showing up for the first time at your door Enjoy Bluegrass Boy...
It's here and it's a good one. It's replacing my Stiver F5, which is good but this just seems to have an extra gear.
I just emailed Michael Heiden with a couple of questions. Doc, did I read in another thread you say it's varnish finish? Are the tuners waverly? They look it. Pretty heavily varnished. Now back to banging on it.
Yes BB it is a varnish finish with a french polish top coat i believe. Michael stopped using laquer in 1999. The tuners are Waverly. Enjoy the beast! Glad it's gone to a good home.
That's a beauty... Michael's finish work is so great and really let's the wood sing
2003 John Sullivan F5 "Roy"
2015 Heiden F Artist
2019 Ruhland F5 #35
... not all those who wander are lost ...
Doc, I read on Heiden’s web page that each instrument is custom made based on discussion between him and the customer. I’m intrigued now by how that process worked with you and what you were looking for. Care to share any of that?
From the description of the models on his site I gather mine is the artist model.
Bluegrass Boy, We had several phone conversations and I asked for a dark Loarish finish, the more classic fretboard & a red spruce top voiced for bluegrass playing rather than the light attack for jazzier styles. Yes it is the artist model
Well, after five days with this thing I've come to really appreciate what a fine instrument it is and how happy I am that I took the plunge. I guess the best word I can use to describe it is "refined", both the tone and it's physical properties. The lines of the instrument are elegant. It's a real work of art. It has plenty of volume that just seems to come from a deep well. And I have no useful words to describe tone but it has a real pleasing voice. My Stiver, the mandolin that this one is replacing is a good one but this is just a whole other level in instrument all around.
Congrats! In one interview I read with Michael, he described the tone he was going for as "round." I love the fullness and clarity of each note on mine. That's a rare F5 you have there. Enjoy it! As far as a work of art, the friction fit truss rod cover tells you the level of attention he puts into even the smallest detail.
2010 Heiden A5, 2020 Pomeroy oval A, 2013 Kentucky KM1000 F5, 2012 Girouard A Mandola w ff holes, 2001 Old Wave A oval octave
http://HillbillyChamberMusic.bandcamp.com
Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@hillbillychambermusic
Love the back of that.. Beautiful Piece you have there..
Don and Bluegrass Boy - I know I'm preaching to the choir, but I feel the same way about my Heiden F Artist from 2015. Every note is a joy and the aesthetics just make it awesome to play...and it keeps getting better. It follows me or I follow it wherever I go!...It's sitting right above me in the overhead compartment as I write en route to DC. This thread makes me want to take it down and play it right now!
2003 John Sullivan F5 "Roy"
2015 Heiden F Artist
2019 Ruhland F5 #35
My son recently got a few decent videos and thought I’d give you all an update on F128 in a couple of different genres ...
He’s been away for almost 6 weeks and the mandolin feels/sounds even more resonant than I remembered. In about a week we’ll be going to Michael’s shop to get a refret on my Kimble and have him look over 128. It’s always nice to see him and see what he’s up to. I’ll try to remember to get some pictures while we’re there.
... not all those who wander are lost ...
Kai's sounding great! Enjoyed those young folks picking and singing.
Just put new strings on A-54 tonight. It sounds better than ever.
2010 Heiden A5, 2020 Pomeroy oval A, 2013 Kentucky KM1000 F5, 2012 Girouard A Mandola w ff holes, 2001 Old Wave A oval octave
http://HillbillyChamberMusic.bandcamp.com
Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@hillbillychambermusic
Bumping this for the Heiden fans....
Shaun Garrity
http://www.youtube.com/user/spgokc78
Oh I dunno, we talk a lot about Gibson F5 master models, and of course all kinds of vintage high end beauties. And Dudes get talked about a bit. But Heiden does seem not as much. Under represented in the yammer, I think. These things go in cycles, with the drool worthy mandolin of the week.
It does sound great.
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