Andrew Marlin's F

[Grommet]

I had a chance to catch a performance with Emily and Andrew in Phoenix several months back, where Andrew played one of these F-styles. It sounded great of course, but my ears were more focused on the those wonderful vocal harmonies. At Carters vintage last year I was very pleased to have an opportunity to play Ellis, Gil, Heiden, Duff, and Kimball mandolins for the first time.

Will K., that used blond two-point of yours with the block fingerboard inlays that was in their shop last Sept. shared the top pick spot in my likings. That thing really had the pop, and the playability.

Scott

[Demetrius]

Hmmm...

[Demetrius]

Mr Kimble,
They used your A Mando on such Jubilee? Wow I did not know that, very cool and congrats...
Must be a thrill to hear your creation on such a beautiful album. I too recently have become a true fan of these guys..

Best,
Dem

[CES]

Thanks for posting! He generally makes whatever he has in his hands sound great!!

[Demetrius]

Kit or no kit, he makes that thing sound great...
I've played it too, and in my opinion it's a nice little Mando.. I've played 3 of Andrews mandos minus his Duff, it sounds really nice from what I can hear.

[BrianWilliam]

Love that track. It is incredible

[TEvans]

Will, I always loved the sound of that Kimble A that he was playing. Have seen them live maybe 5 or 6 times over the years, and most of those shows he was playing the Kimble. Great mandolin, and I am settled firmly in the "A5's for life camp". Hah!

He did have the Sullivan this last time we saw them, which happened to be the biggest band I've seen them play with so far. Upright player, Josh Oliver on electric and acoustic, Emily and Andrew. He played mandolin for almost half the show. I was up pretty close and could hear the straight acoustic sound of the Sullivan. Extremely dry. Like as dry as they get. Big old thundercrack of a chop.

Anyways, all that to say, I love their music, and i certainly love that Kimble. Great work, sir!

[Johnny60]

I was siting about five feet from Andrew Marlin's Kimble when they played in Leeds (UK) last year. I spoke to them after the gig and Andrew said that he really loved his Kimble. Sounded really good live. waltz about Whisky is a great song.

[Astro]

I like a mellow tone and I agree the mando in post #30 is nice no matter what it is.

I'm sure the player is a big part of it too.

These guys are among my very favs.

[KarlinJackson]

I'm no mandolin tone expert, but the way that Kimble sounds in this video makes me want to sell my car to buy one:

[Perilous Deep]

In a new interview with David Roberts at Vox, Andrew mentions that he recently acquired a Sullivan A. Recently as in about a week ago. There are several other choice moments as well, particularly that a milestone of success would be the ability to use a diminished scale tastefully in a solo. And his mandolin obsession will be very relatable for many cafe members!

[Demetrius]

Yeh I actually noticed that he was playing a Sullivan A model in the lates couple of videos...
And thanks for that great link!!!

[Mark Wilson]

I sit down in front at their show last night in Charlotte. Andrew was playing a blacktop A that looks similar to other Sullivan A's I've seen in pictures. No inlay name just a flower pot high on headstock.

Big big voice on that A. Impressive show from those two as always!

[Drew Streip]

Agreed -- I was front row in Chattanooga and the Sullivan sounded fantastic. Even when he was several feet off the mic, I could hear the acoustic sound.

The coolest part was their full acoustic jam at the end. They grabbed their opener, Dead Horses, and played two tunes down in the audience. Andrew had no problem cutting through 4 guitars for his breaks!

[gh_mando]

Saw them in Albuquerque on the 16th of Oct. and Andrew was playing an A style Sullivan that was Sullivan's personal mando. Sounded good.

[Spruce]

Saw them in Albuquerque on the 16th of Oct. and Andrew was playing an A style Sullivan that was Sullivan's personal mando.

Yeah, that's "Ella" (John named all his instruments), and it's one of the finest sounding mandolins I've ever run into...seriously.
I was considering parting with "Roy"--my Sullivan F--and living with Ella for the rest of my days...it's that good.
I am so thrilled that she's out there getting played in front of a lot of folks--great news...
And yes, Ella was John's personal instrument...

Here's a bunch of pics of Ella I took when she lived here a month or so ago...

[sgarrity]

So good to see a modern day mandolin player making good use of traditional playing techniques. Andrew has quickly become a favorite player to listen to no matter what instrument he's playing.

[Mark Wilson]

Here's a bunch of pics of Ella I took when she lived here a month or so ago...

That's the one. Unique tailpiece.

[TEvans]

Looks like the Kimble that Andrew played on Such Jubilee is up for sale!!

http://www.mandomutt.com/products-pa...014-kimble-a-5

[Caleb]

The guy is such a fantastic player. Really enjoyed the clips posted.

Anyone know the story on the guitar? That's one of the most unusual paint jobs I've ever seen. And it looks to have several frets missing in the higher register. Looks like some kind of project guitar. Sounds good though.

[TEvans]

Andrew Marlin built it. He worked at some luthier's shop back in the day.

[ferrousgeek]

The guy is such a fantastic player. Really enjoyed the clips posted.

Anyone know the story on the guitar? That's one of the most unusual paint jobs I've ever seen. And it looks to have several frets missing in the higher register. Looks like some kind of project guitar. Sounds good though.

It's a beast of a guitar. He co-built it when working part time in the shop of James Griggs of Griggs Guitars http://www.griggsguitars.com/ . Lot's of info on the interwebs re this guitar. Andrew screwed up the 'burst during the finish process, but really likes it the way it is. He refers to it as a happy mistake. He also ripped out the last few fret to eliminate pick click when he plays up there. This is no "project" guitar. Griggs Guitars are as powerful as they come and are in the hands of some of the top bluegrass and country pickers out there. You don't hear much about them because musicians go directly to him via word of mouth from other musicians. He doesn't have the time, nor is comfortable hyping his work.

[Demetrius]

Its so cool that Andrew already has a great Sullivan F and now he has a Sullivan A style too.
Thats what I call a perfect set. I guess this was John Sullivan's personal mandolin.
Just Awesome!

[Spruce]

Yep, that's "Ella"...
One of the best mandolins I've ever played...
Lots of pics here...

[Demetrius]

Man, what a treasure