Voight F-5 #18

[josh a]

I have been meaning to write a review of the mandolin I received from Dan for some time. This is Voight F-5 #18, completed in late 2015. I have gotten to know the instrument quite well over the last year and am beyond thrilled with it. Some photos and a quick video clip of Dan giving it a test drive over the 2016 holidays can be found at the bottom. Here are some details:

The mandolin features an old-growth Red Spruce top from the Smokies, sourced from a good friend of mine that harvested the wood in 2010-11. Dan and I couldn't count the lines per inch, and the silking was just incredible. Back and sides are sugar maple. Dan agreed to do his version of a torch and wire inlay for me, and absolutely knocked it out of the park. Radius board, scooped extension, Waverly tuners, James tailpiece, and a full size guard Dan made from African Blackwood.

When I lived in Nashville prior to my mandolin being built I was able to play several of Dan's instruments. They were all great, regardless of the woods or bracing specifics he used. Dan and I spoke quite a bit about the sound he was chasing in his head, as well as his desire to build an instrument that didn't 'push back' too much and was easy on the left hand.

My mandolin turned out extremely well. Better than I could have hoped actually. Fit and finish, playability, and tone are all there. In spades. When I took delivery I owned a Gilchrist and the Voight was an equal joy to play. Dan said he wanted to build a mandolin that was similar to the best Loars he had heard, but with a little 'extra'. I think he nailed it. It is very loud and extremely well balanced. The A & E courses are extremely full and sweet, but still retain that Loar-esque ring. Playability up the neck is fantastic, with no thinning out. The instrument is very resonant, and has a good amount of sustain as well. It excels at everything I can throw at it, and others have put it through jazz, choro, classical, and bluegrass paces.

Dan was a pleasure to work with, and I am happy to count him as a good friend that I continue to keep in touch with to this day. Cannot recommend his work enough.

Photos courtesy of Dan

[Don Grieser]

Congrats! Love the torch and wire. Great overall vibe to the mando. Don't see a video or sound clip, though.

[josh a]

Greetings Don!

I ran into some bandwidth issues, see the video below.

[Billy Packard]

That is a stunner with a great sound, right out of the box. Nice balance, I bet in person it's wonderful.

Billy

[Don Grieser]

You don't need anything more than that one. Amazing tone.

What is that tune? I know it but the name eludes me.

[Gary Alter]

Don, sounds like Ookpik Waltz...

[blauserk]

Sounds wonderful. Love the offset inlays in the upper register; first time I've seen that on a mandolin (much less a mandolin that otherwise has a fairly traditional appearance, aside from the pointier neck heel I normally associate with F-4s, which I am partial to).

[Joey Anchors]

This is one of the best looking and sounding F-style mandolins I've seen in a long time!

[Atlanta Mando Mike]

I was just at Carter's and they have a Voight A model that is very good as well. He seems to be putting out real quality.

[Demetrius]

My goodness, I believe he is there.... Well done, geeeeez...

[Demetrius]

in fact, Id seriously consider this if it was available.

[mandolin74]

Dan is an extremely talented builder. I have gotten him to do some set up and repair work for me too. I highly recommend him. He is very passionate about his work and that shows here with the look and sound of this mandolin. I played two F5's he completed last year and I was very impressed. He is a great guy also!