Saweeeeeeet!
Saweeeeeeet!
First little bit of sound --
Steve
PS - Here is the original FB post (which might have slightly better sound quality) --
https://www.facebook.com/danny.rober...7120623194953/
Last edited by Steve Sorensen; Aug-23-2016 at 2:01am.
A little Prog-Grass at Alan Bibey's Mandolin Camp --
https://www.facebook.com/oceanlakesF...3745839171373/
Steve
I've got to say Steve, your pics do a pretty good job of capturing the gorgeous aesthetics of your design but to hear the VX live is something that almost defies description. Sitting in Danny's class the first morning at camp gave us lucky few a good primer but we were not prepared for the boom from the stage that night. Complete balance through the entire tonal range and loud, loud, loud but it was the depth of the bass that dropped our collective jaws. Incredible mandolin.
C.
Northfield F5S Amber #347 - 'Squeeze'
Mann EM-5 Hollow Body - Gimme Moore
Kentucky KM-270 - Not just for whisky
Flatiron 1N Pancake - Not just for breakfast
Epiphone Mandobird IV - Djangly
Cozart 8-string e-mando - El Ch(e)apo
Lanikai LB6-S Banjolele (tuned GDAE) - Plinky and the Brane
Northfield F5S Amber #347 - 'Squeeze'
Mann EM-5 Hollow Body - Gimme Moore
Kentucky KM-270 - Not just for whisky
Flatiron 1N Pancake - Not just for breakfast
Epiphone Mandobird IV - Djangly
Cozart 8-string e-mando - El Ch(e)apo
Lanikai LB6-S Banjolele (tuned GDAE) - Plinky and the Brane
Steve,
I was at the camp also and got a chance to play the VX. I was totally blown away! I liked it every bit as much as the Loar I played the day before. Danny was saying he has really really tried to find something he doesn't like about it and hasn't been able to. I have to agree. Just killer sound man!
The attention to detail was also just awesome. I love the way the binding comes to a point but the scroll keeps going around and I really like the smoothed over edge where your right arm goes.
Very awesome mandolin!
Drew
2020 Northfield 4th Gen F5
2022 Northfield NFS-F5E
2019 Northfield Flat Top Octave
2021 Gold Tone Mando Cello
https://www.instagram.com/pilotdrew85
Thanks Drew!
Since this was the fist official outing for the VX with the Grascals, after camp yesterday, Danny sent me a note to let me know how the VX did.
Here's the funniest bit from his feedback, "Alan Bibey played it and loved it. His remark was, 'I really like this, and I don't like anything.' He said he thought it may be the best new mandolin he's played. That's saying a lot coming from a guy that's played a Loar for 20 years."
So excited to see what comes next in the VX story!
Steve
Playing this mandolin is an absolute pleasure, the playability is beyond great, fit and finish are second to none, the look is SO sleek and the sound is incredible!
I will try to post more video and pictures as I am out playing it this season.
I am lucky enough to own one of Steve's Sprites (just took delivery june 2016), and I think it's an unbelievable instrument. It is truly a joy to open the case each day, and I am so distracted at work, all I can think about is getting home to play it. I had a Collings MT, which is a good instrument, but there is simply no comparison between that and my Sorensen.
I'm not a pro. Been in a few bands, but I much prefer jamming with friends and at festivals to performing. I do know that this Sprite is the best mandolin I've ever played, but my exposure to the upper echelon, or "canon" of instruments (Gilchrist, Dudenbostel, Nugget, Ellis, etc...) is limited. I've tried a Brentrup or two, LaPlant, a recent Gibson Master Model, even strummed an Ellis A, briefly. But that's about it.
So, Danny, as an experienced, pro player (who's probably played many, many different GREAT mandolins), how do you compare your VX to other instruments that people consider as "GREAT." Aside from Steve's unique designs, what's the difference you sense? Is it tone/voicing? Playability? Fit/finish? Elfin magic?
There was the 37-page "The Search Continues" thread (which I will always remember as the "Demetrius" thread), where the forum member was trying to select a very-high-end mandolin for himself. He was discussing Gilchrist, Wiens, Brentrup, Dudenbostel, Ellis, etc... It just gets me to wondering when Steve's mandolins might get into that discussion. I don't want justification for me owning one, really, because I am passionately in love with my Sprite. I am just curious about a pro player's perspective.
A bit late to the party but, wow! The VX looks fast. Nice work!
Hey Chris,
I have been blessed to own many great mandolins. I had a 1922 Loar for about 5 years, I've owned probably 15 Gil's over the years and of course several Gibson mandolins and my favorite new mandolin ever being my 03 Master model Gibson.
Then the Sorensen VX showed up and I have been completely blown away! From the first strum in my living room to playing on stage with The Grascals this thing has been awesome...tone and volume are just unbelievably good, the fit and finish is second to none and the playability is indescribably good. You might say I really like this beast:-)
The look of the mandolin is a bit different but I really like the design - it's like Steve took a traditional F5 put it in a wind tunnel and came up with a sport version F5...the VX!
If you or anyone else happen to be at a Grascals show please come see me and you can check it out.
A decent review
Thanks, Danny!
Custom-ordering an instrument is an intimidating prospect, for many, I'm sure. But for someone like me who isn't a pro, and can't justify it for my "job" (but simply because I love to play), it's surprising I made the leap at all.
But so glad I did.
Guys I respect and admire have played this thing, and they didn't want to hand it back. (It was cool being in front of it, too.)
Funny: I googled to see when you guys were going to be in Minnesota, and I found a video of you singing happy birthday to a friend of mine, Chuck Millar! (Looks like it was a the MBOTMA fest in 2009. I was at the fest, but do I remember these things? I do not.)
Last edited by terzinator; Sep-02-2016 at 2:59pm. Reason: typo typo typo
Big Sciota in the hallway -- https://www.facebook.com/danny.rober...7252596654207/
Steve
Want!
WOW it looks like an ocean at sunset, simple beautiful, I love it. Thanks Steve Cheers John
The newest VX seemed to draw a lot of attention while we were at IBMA 2016. We had a host of fine pickers drop by for a test-drive and it was getting picked on morning, noon and night --
It was so delightful to watch these talented folks getting introduced to the new mandolin. But, soon it became apparent that we were witnessing the beginning of something really cool. Even after a late night, Kelsi Harrigill dropped by for more picking time, and then asked to borrow the new VX for an afternoon showcase with Flatt Lonesome. The next day she came back again . . .
Flatt Lonesome was booked to do the closing show for the amazing line-up at the California Bluegrass Association suite, but Kelsi and her husband Paul agreed to stop by my room for a quick recording of the new VX under quieter circumstances. Here is a quick sample --
I think we're off to a good start!
Steve
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