I love two point mandolins. I especially love asymmetrical two point mandolins.
I love two point mandolins. I especially love asymmetrical two point mandolins.
My 2017, Skip Kelley, Offset Two point #063 arrived yesterday. I've only put it down when I went out jogging, slept and ate. I honestly expected a lot when I bought this. Besides all the good stuff I heard at Mandolin Cafe concerning Skip's builds, I had heard Drew's, Kelley F5 at both Swannanoa and the Bibey Mandolin Camp in Surfside, South Carolina. I know that is a great sounding mandolin. However as much as I expected when I purchased this I received even more so.
Right out of the box, after tuning, with older and worn, tarnished strings, the mandolin sounded great. I mean it is really loud, and just crystal clear when you hit the notes. My wife was in another room when I began to play and she thought I was plugged in. Besides the volume it is the clearness of the tone on each note that really jumps out at me. I am really not that good of a musician. However when I play this I can't keep from hitting each note cleanly and clearly.
Last night I finally took the time to change out the strings. I had just bought some Northfield strings from the Northfield web site. Bronze 40 26 16 11. After the string change and putting a tone gard on it, it sounded even better. The intonation was right on also. Just a great mandolin. I would go as far as saying it's the best I have played. Really easily playable. Feels great to hold. Looks really great and obviously well built. The action is lower than I'd ever set the action and there isn't the slightest hint of a buzz anywhere. The chops sound great and it plays well all the way up the neck. I am more than just satisfied and this mandolin exceeded any expectations I had. Here is a picture in a used, mint, Hiscox Pro II that I put it in.
I used the Superior Fiberglass case this came in for another mandolin (Heron Creek) that I have. I'd heard they were not roomy but the other mandolin went into that one easily with a tone gard and arm rest on it. Plus it had plenty of other storage.
Ray Dearstone #009 D1A (1999)
Skip Kelley #063 Offset Two Point (2017)
Arches #9 A Style (2005)
Bourgeois M5A (2022)
Hohner and Seydel Harmonicas (various keys)
"Heck, Jimmy Martin don't even believe in Santy Claus!"
Congrats on finding a keeper! I know my Kelley certainly is
2020 Northfield Big Mon
2016 Skip Kelley A5
2011 Weber Gallatin A20
2021 Northfield Flattop Octave Mandolin
2019 Pono Flattop Octave
Richard Beard Celtic Flattop
And a few electrics
Congrats, Bill. Enjoy that beautiful 2 point!
2010 Heiden A5, 2020 Pomeroy oval A, 2013 Kentucky KM1000 F5, 2012 Girouard A Mandola w ff holes, 2001 Old Wave A oval octave
http://HillbillyChamberMusic.bandcamp.com
Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@hillbillychambermusic
Ray Dearstone #009 D1A (1999)
Skip Kelley #063 Offset Two Point (2017)
Arches #9 A Style (2005)
Bourgeois M5A (2022)
Hohner and Seydel Harmonicas (various keys)
"Heck, Jimmy Martin don't even believe in Santy Claus!"
Congrats Bill, glad you are loving it!
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
Congrats Bill
That is one beautiful two-point!!
What I play
2021 Skip Kelley Two-Point
Eastwood 'Ricky'
Morgan Monroe RT-1E
Epiphone Genesis guitars
Various Basses
Ray Dearstone #009 D1A (1999)
Skip Kelley #063 Offset Two Point (2017)
Arches #9 A Style (2005)
Bourgeois M5A (2022)
Hohner and Seydel Harmonicas (various keys)
"Heck, Jimmy Martin don't even believe in Santy Claus!"
Recently took the Kelley Two-Point, down to Easton Maryland. The Avalon Theater Foundation, now has an outdoor venue called the Stoltz Pavilion. My mandolin instructor, Ryan Rogers was playing there with his group, the Dirty Grass Players. Ryan owns a Girouard, a Hinde, and a Scott Carey. All three are fine mandolins. Prior to the show, he tried out the Kelley Two point and said it was easily the best two point he'd ever played, as well as a great sounding and great feeling mandolin. He loved the neck. He loved the tone and volume. He was really impressed with it. Considering the mandolins Ryan owns, I was really happy he confirmed my opinion of this mandolin.
Ray Dearstone #009 D1A (1999)
Skip Kelley #063 Offset Two Point (2017)
Arches #9 A Style (2005)
Bourgeois M5A (2022)
Hohner and Seydel Harmonicas (various keys)
"Heck, Jimmy Martin don't even believe in Santy Claus!"
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