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Thread: Bulldog Mandolins

  1. #1
    Registered User atbuckner21's Avatar
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    Default Bulldog Mandolins

    I just recently acquired Bulldog #84 via trade, and I couldn't be happier with it. Aesthetically, its everything one could hope for: clean work, beautiful satin finish, and gorgeous inlay. As far as tone, its dark, loud, and speaks with clarity. It's is also exceptionally playable, having a radius fretboard and medium frets. I love it and would encourage any player, on any level to give Bulldog/Kratzer mandolins a try. I can't wait to record and play live with it! If you own a Bulldog, I would love to hear your sentiments as well Andrew
    TKD Falcon F5

  2. #2
    Registered User barry k's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bulldog Mandolins

    Thanks Andrew, glad your liking it...That mandolin was red spruce and red maple....bk

  3. #3

    Default Re: Bulldog Mandolins

    Nice :-)

  4. #4
    texaspaul texaspaul's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bulldog Mandolins

    I have had 2 of Barry's mandolins: #4 & #10. They were and are excellent mandolins. #4 was an F5 with beautiful Koa back & sides with cedar top, dark mellow sound. #10 also an F5 it had maple back and sides and spruce top loud and balanced tone. My favorite was the Koa with fern head stock inlay. I wish I still had it. Had to move both because of financial needs. May be again some day.

  5. #5
    Registered User Boge Quinn's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bulldog Mandolins

    I have #45, a lovely two-point with translucent black finish. A dandy mandolin!

  6. #6
    Registered User Pete Braccio's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bulldog Mandolins

    I've got #1. A beautiful F5 with sycamore back and sides and a spruce top. It's coming on to ten years that I got lucky enough to have it cross my path.

    Pete
    Pete Braccio

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    Default Re: Bulldog Mandolins

    I have #85. An 1850 Redwood top in a non-traditional F style. Jim

  8. #8
    Registered User JTMartin's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bulldog Mandolins

    A little late to the thread but just wanted to chime in that I'm the proud owner of #21. Bought it four years ago and have no plans to get rid of it. I get compliments on it wherever I go.
    ......Jeff

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    Default Re: Bulldog Mandolins

    Barry,
    Just out of curiosity where in Savannah is your shop? I was a long time resident on the Isle of Hope about 1/4 mile from Randy Wood before he moved to Bloomindale. Got to know him pretty good. I moved to Virginia after retiring from the GPA. Moved on from guitars to mandolins but really just beginning.
    Tom Armstrong (Gasawdust)

  10. #10
    Registered User barry k's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bulldog Mandolins

    Tom, I actually live in Garden City . GA 307, which is Dean Forest Road is owned by Savannah. Pooler is just across the street. As the crow flys , about 4 miles from the airport..bk

  11. #11
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    Default Re: Bulldog Mandolins

    Barry,
    OK, I know the area well.....just down the street from Spanky's.

  12. #12

    Default Re: Bulldog Mandolins

    There seems to be dozens of threads titled 'Bulldog Mandolins'. Guess I'll revive a relatively recent one to add my two cents worth.

    I got to play one a few days ago. It was handed to me to try out, and in my opinion, it was an excellent mandolin. I'm no mandolin virtuoso, but I have enough experience to know a nice mandolin when I see/play it. It was strong and well balanced, very comfortable neck profile and radius.

    Funny thing though (at least to me). I saw the name on the headstock... Kratzer. Never put two and two together enough to realize that Kratzer was Bulldog. Always heard good things about Bulldog mandolins. Now I know why.

  13. #13
    Registered User barry k's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bulldog Mandolins

    I have tried to integrate my last name into my instruments as smoothly as I can. Maybe I should have started doing that back in 2000. I am about to build my 100th mandolin as Kratzer/Bulldog. Many of you know I had a building partner from 1993 to 2000, we built well over 35 mandolins. I was active duty Air Force still during this time, but usually at home base. The 2nd phase of the Gulf War prevented me from building anything for almost 5 years ,2000 to late 2004. I was always gone to the sand box. I did manage to build my first "Bulldog" F model around late 2000, I think, but didn't resume building until December 2004 . I retired in Jan 2008, with 36 years of service completed. I want to continue building as long as I can, I really love doing it, keeps me busy and out of the wife's way...she does the inlay work. Thanks for the Cafe and all it's supportive members
    Last edited by barry k; Jul-25-2017 at 12:04pm. Reason: Mistake

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  15. #14
    Registered User Pete Braccio's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bulldog Mandolins

    Hey Barry,

    Maybe this will bring back some fond memories.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    I saw this on the headblock while testing a endoscope.

    Pete
    Pete Braccio

    "The Rules: Play nice and don't run with scissors"
    http://www.braccio.me
    Check out my web site for:
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    BBC Virtual Session files
    O'Neill's PDFs
    ITM Tunebooks, and more

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  17. #15

    Default Re: Bulldog Mandolins

    Nice pic,Pete!

  18. #16
    Registered User barry k's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bulldog Mandolins

    Wow Pete, 16 years ago. It did shake my memory , that is my first Bulldog mandolin. I was in the Desert in 2000. When I built that mandolin I didn't even have a shop, I built it on my dining room table in between deployments

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  20. #17
    Rush Burkhardt Rush Burkhardt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bulldog Mandolins

    Hey. Barry! Good to hear all the nice things about your luthiery! All true! Not a mention of your bass playing! (My first intro to the Kala Bass...I'd have sworn it was an upright...well played!) PS When are you gonna' build a u-bass...put my name on the list!
    Rush
    Rush Burkhardt
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    Free opinions are worth exactly what you pay for them!

  21. #18
    Fingers of Concrete ccravens's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bulldog Mandolins

    Hey Barry,

    have you built, or plan on building any Econo A models?
    Chris Cravens

    Girouard A5
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    Passernig Mandola
    Leo Posch D-18

  22. #19
    Registered User Pete Braccio's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bulldog Mandolins

    Hi Barry,

    Your #1 is my #1 mandolin as well. I've had it for over 11 years now. Maybe some Gulf sand got into the build and resonates with me. I was over there twice (1987 & 1992) for a "let's not call this a military action" and a "war's over quick, nothing to see here, look over there".
    Pete Braccio

    "The Rules: Play nice and don't run with scissors"
    http://www.braccio.me
    Check out my web site for:
    Jack Tottle music files
    BBC Virtual Session files
    O'Neill's PDFs
    ITM Tunebooks, and more

  23. #20
    Registered User barry k's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bulldog Mandolins

    Yes ccravens, I am working on # 100 F model, it's already sold, and an A model that's not spoken for yet. I have not installed binding as of now on the A model , but it could become an econo model ! We are going to Germany this week , on a hunt for more good wood and hardware. Pete, I'm so happy about your love for your Bulldog mandolin, those deployment days to the desert were tough times, I'm so glad that's over. War has a residual effect on a person, years later PTSD symptoms can arise without notice.
    Last edited by barry k; Jul-31-2017 at 10:57am. Reason: Addition

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  25. #21
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    Default Re: Bulldog Mandolins

    An old thread I know, but I just picked up an F4 Hybrid Bulldog, 32 008. Sweet sounding machine, have had difficulty adjusting the truss rod, bit got it playable and think I may play it a lot this summer.

  26. #22
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    Default Re: Bulldog Mandolins

    Does it have "The Bulldog" in Gibson style script on the headstock? I had Barry build one like that for me and it sounds like number 32 would have been close to when I ordered mine. I was playing more guitar at the time and sold it. Nice mandolin. I miss ole Barry. He was a good friend

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  28. #23
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    Default Re: Bulldog Mandolins

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Here is a photo of 32.

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  30. #24
    Registered User Simon DS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bulldog Mandolins

    Nice!

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