New (used) Smart A5!

[dchernack]

Very happily received a new (to me) 2003 Smart A5 mandolin, serial number #145, two weeks ago. It is a huge upgrade over my Kentucky KM1000, which I still intend to keep. It's got a beautiful, ever so slightly transparent black top, Quilted with a capital "Q" back and sides, split block fretboard inlays, and a black Allen Monteleone style tailpiece. The pictures just don't do it justice! It also has monster tone, great volume, and the best treble I've heard outside of five digits...

Buying it ends my 3-year quest for a mandolin in the $3500-$6000 range, and it went up against some great contenders... I chose it over a Kimble two-point, Girouard F5, some truly amazing Collings MT2's and MT2V's, and so on. I took it to the Music Emporium and the only things that matched it were the new Northfield F5 Artist, the fantastic 1992 Givens A6 they have in stock, and a Gilchrist Art Deco A5 for quadruple the cost of the Smart. Selling two guitars and a mandostrat to justify it, but it's so worth it.





Here is a video of the mandolin when Carter's had it back in 2013.

[renoyd]

A new 3 year quest begins....

[red7flag]

Beautiful looking and sounding instrument. Nice catch.

[BBarton]

Good choice!!

[Perilous Deep]

That sounds like it has something really special. And it's a looker to boot. Happy pickin!

[Mark Wilson]

That one looks and sounds fine to me. Block inlay - sweet!
Smart choice! 3 years is a lot of patience - enjoy the reward

[onassis]

That sounds like an absolute dream! And gorgeous to boot. I'm jealous.

[Marc Berman]

David,
I'm happy you joined our family and that you love it

[colorado_al]

What a great sounding mandolin! I was in Carter's last week and played many mandolins in the $5000 and under range. A lot of fine instruments to choose from. Looks like you got a beauty! Enjoy!

[soliver]

WOW!... amazing on all accounts!... Congrats!

[Canoedad]

I'm a A style lover and yours pushes my buttons like crazy! I'd love to see more pics. And it sounds incredible. Congratulations!

[Mark Seale]

Beautiful instrument!

[Don Grieser]

Would love to see a quartet in that style. It's got everything going for it. Very very nice. Congrats!

[Ivan Kelsall]

David - That's a stunner for sure - congrats. !!! . Lawrence has built some awesome looking (& no doubt 'sounding') mandolins. This one,i found a long while back Smart #169 - mouth wateringly good
Ivan

[AlanN]

Stunning, all around. Is there a strap button on it?

And who are them pickers in the video? Seems I've seen them before, terrific players.

[Mark Seale]

David - That's a stunner for sure - congrats. !!! . Lawrence has built some awesome looking (& no doubt 'sounding') mandolins. This one,i found a long while back Smart #169 - mouth wateringly good
Ivan

That is one of the most stunning finish applications I've seen. That instrument was up for sale a few years back and just from an art standpoint had me drooling. I'm sure it sounds stunning as well, the few Smart instruments I've handled have been very good.

[Ivan Kelsall]

Mark - I think that the pics. i downloaded were from Lawrence's website. The grain on the back,sides & neck is simply awesomely beautiful , & as for the contrast between those & the top - words fail me !!,
Ivan

[Joey Anchors]

Very gorgeous mandolin! I love black tops.