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Thread: My New Blevins Mandolin

  1. #1

    Default My New Blevins Mandolin

    Last December I contacted Eddie Blevins about a custom build that had been on my brain for a good bit. Being open to multiple styles of mandolins and having incredibly good price points, Eddie seemed like a great match.

    After conversing for a couple hours, I was confident that I was going to get a special mandolin. Over the next month or so, Eddie and I talked often to nail down the specifics of the build, as well as a few personal touches that I wanted (a highly defined cut on the partial scroll, my grandfather's initials on the 12th feet, and a Nix on the headstock).

    Here we are 9 months later and the mandolin is in the mail. I cannot wait to get my hands on it after seeing these photos. Eddie is a master when it comes to nailing the exact look his customer is going for. He truly brought what was in my head to life. What a job he has done.

    Some specs:
    E5 Blevins body
    Honey Amber Finish
    Tortoise and White double bound on the back, sides, neck, and headstock
    Single piece maple back
    FDW on the 12th fret, honoring my grandpa who had seemingly infinite emotional, physical, and financial support for getting me into music as a kid (he passed in 2006).
    A highly defined cut on the scroll (reminscient of Weber, who I always felt you could almost cut your hand on that ridge *chef's kiss*)
    A nix inlay on the headstock. This just barely fit, but Eddie made it work, as I was fully aware parts of it would be obscured and cut by the tuning keys. This is a pretty personal thing for me that I won't get into here, but to have it on the mandolin really makes it unique to me.

    Click image for larger version. 

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  3. #2
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: My New Blevins Mandolin

    Personal connections to instruments are wonderful and having one built just for you makes it even better. Congratulations!
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  4. #3
    Mandolin user MontanaMatt's Avatar
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    Default Re: My New Blevins Mandolin

    Cool! Looking forward to a sound sample when you've got it acclimated to the new home.
    2007 Weber Custom Elite "old wood"
    2017 Ratliff R5 Custom #1148
    Several nice old Fiddles
    2007 Martin 000-15S 12 fret Auditorium-slot head
    Deering Classic Open Back
    Too many microphones

    BridgerCreekBoys.com

  5. #4
    Registered User Gunnar's Avatar
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    Default Re: My New Blevins Mandolin

    Congrats!
    Mandolin: Kentucky KM150
    Other instruments: way too many, and yet, not nearly enough.

    My blog: https://theoffgridmusician.music.blog/
    My YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChF...yWuaTrtB4YORAg
    My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/africanbanjogunnar/
    Free backing tracks:
    https://backingtrackers.wordpress.com/

  6. #5
    Member
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    Default Re: My New Blevins Mandolin

    Congrats !

  7. #6
    Registered User
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    Default Re: My New Blevins Mandolin

    Eddie built an f-style octave mandolin for me and it's great. It was his first octave but it probably won't be his last because he nailed it. I'm thinking about talking to him about a regular mandolin, too (like I need another one).
    Click image for larger version. 

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    David Hopkins

    2001 Gibson F-5L mandolin
    Breedlove Legacy FF mandolin; Breedlove Quartz FF mandolin
    Gibson F-4 mandolin (1916); Blevins f-style Octave mandolin, 2018
    McCormick Oval Sound Hole "Reinhardt" Mandolin
    McCormick Solid Body F-Style Electric Mandolin; Slingerland Songster Guitar (c. 1939)

    The older I get, the less tolerant I am of political correctness, incompetence and stupidity.

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  9. #7
    Kelley Mandolins Skip Kelley's Avatar
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    Default Re: My New Blevins Mandolin

    Congratulations! There’s nothing quite like having a mandolin that you can’t wait to pick up!!

  10. #8
    Registered User Denman John's Avatar
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    Default Re: My New Blevins Mandolin

    That’s a nice looking mandolin! The peg head is a nice departure from the standard F5 fare, and the colour theme is classy.

    Enjoy it in good health!
    John
    ... not all those who wander are lost ...

  11. #9

    Default Re: My New Blevins Mandolin

    Got the mandolin in yesterday and it’s absolutely stellar. Jump on the Blevins train, people!

    Anyway, here are a couple Reischman tunes I recorded playing it. It’s been a solid 8 months without a mandolin to play so I’m pretty rusty.

    https://youtu.be/G9B3vceLxTw

    https://youtu.be/1E1PSCh2V6s

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  13. #10
    Registered User
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    Default Re: My New Blevins Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by NotACreativeName View Post
    Got the mandolin in yesterday and it’s absolutely stellar. Jump on the Blevins train, people!
    Told you so!
    David Hopkins

    2001 Gibson F-5L mandolin
    Breedlove Legacy FF mandolin; Breedlove Quartz FF mandolin
    Gibson F-4 mandolin (1916); Blevins f-style Octave mandolin, 2018
    McCormick Oval Sound Hole "Reinhardt" Mandolin
    McCormick Solid Body F-Style Electric Mandolin; Slingerland Songster Guitar (c. 1939)

    The older I get, the less tolerant I am of political correctness, incompetence and stupidity.

  14. #11

    Default Re: My New Blevins Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by DHopkins View Post
    Told you so!
    I honestly cannot believe they are not more popular. At this price point they are an absolute steal, easily the tonal and playability qualities that were in my northfield. Actually more playable, I prefer this tone, but that becomes more subjective at this level of instrument.

  15. #12
    Registered User
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    Default Re: My New Blevins Mandolin

    New Blevins? How about Old Blevins.

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