Kimble or Duff F5?

[Josh Levine]

Ok, here's a better video/audio of the 2017 Duff. Kimble will be coming in a little.

[lowtone2]

I know which I prefer, but I don’t know which you prefer.

[Josh Levine]

Here's the Kimble:


Curious, which do you prefer.

[Astro]

Thats a tuffie. Not sure if I could make a meaningful decision based on this... but... If I had to choose Id say I liked the Duff more. I might say the Duff for solo playing and the Kimble for a Bluegrass or multi-string band. Hows that for a hedge ?

[Glassweb]

Thats a tuffie. Not sure if I could make a meaningful decision based on this... but... If I had to choose Id say I liked the Duff more. I might say the Duff for solo playing and the Kimble for a Bluegrass or multi-string band. Hows that for a hedge ?

I'd choose the Kimble... for me the Duff is a little too "woofy" whereas the Kimble has that nice balance between warm and clear without being too bright or too hollow sounding. As Lynn "The Dude" Dudenbostel often says... "chocolate or vanilla... they're both yummy!"

[Astro]

I'd choose the Kimble... for me the Duff is a little too "woofy" whereas the Kimble has that nice balance between warm and clear without being too bright or too hollow sounding. As Lynn "The Dude" Dudenbostel often says... "chocolate or vanilla... they're both yummy!"

My band got coronaized so I'm just playing to myself solo and I like the 'woofy" for that. So Josh gives me the Duff and you the Kimble and then we're both happy. Problem solved!

[Josh Levine]

In full transparency, I will be listing one for sale soon, as such will not be adding any more of my thoughts/opinions to the thread. But, since I have first hand knowledge of these instruments I am hoping that my contribution is appropriate, honest, and as unbiased as possible.

[pheffernan]

Curious, which do you prefer.

Thanks for posting these videos, Josh. In the first combined video, I had a clear preference for the Kimble. The Duff struck me as a strong mandolin, but the Kimble’s quality of tone had more character. Today’s separate videos narrowed the gap, as the Duff’s woody pop made up ground on the Kimble’s dry, traditional voice. If I were to use an analogy, the Duff would be a sharp 8” chef’s knife that is a versatile and useful tool while the Kimble is a 12” carving knife that is more specialized to excel in one or two applications. Both could find room in (and on) my block.

[Astro]

Yep, you already did the most unbiased thing one can do in your presenting these video comparisons. Both great mandos - it just depends on what tone one is after. But there really is no better or worse when you get up in this range. Its just which suites who for what at this moment in time. Fun comparisons and thanks for posting!

[Billgrass]

I'm lucky to have a well worn Duff. A very strong instrument. When I got it, I contacted Paul, and I have to say he was absolutely delightful to deal with even though I am not the original owner. I share this in the event any ongoing service from the builder is part of your decision. I haven't had the pleasure with Mr. Kimble, but I hear he is also a great guy. (Must have something to do with the profession these guys chose). Happy pickin'!

[Bill McCall]

In full transparency, I will be listing one for sale soon, as such will not be adding any more of my thoughts/opinions to the thread. But, since I have first hand knowledge of these instruments I am hoping that my contribution is appropriate, honest, and as unbiased as possible.

Oh no, didn't you tell me I could have the Duff? I believe hell has frozen over

That of course is an unbiased opinion since I haven't played your Kimble.

[sgarrity]

A few more examples:

Duff A5


Kimble A5


Kimble F5


Still have the F5. It's stout enough to have replaced a Gil and a MM.

[FLATROCK HILL]

I'm a Duff man Shaun, but I have to say... that Kimble f5 sounds like a real killer.

By the way, I'm sitting in the hotel room expecting a call. About 3 minutes into your Dusty Miller clip, I shut it off to answer the phone. Ya got me.

[Tempotantrum]

I have a 2015 Duff F5 and a 2008 Kimble A5. My thoughts are:
Duff has a sweeter, rounder tone - projects less possibly. can be nice and dry, especially with monels it does everything I want in a mandolin. The Kimble suprised me how good it was when i bought it used via reverb. Build quality is fantastic, playability is superb. It it a powerhouse that socks you in the eardrum (in a good way). This one is older and I read that the tone Will builds for has changed over the years. I assume they are all good though. The neck feels a bit more roomy on the Kimble, but without the "v" on the Duff - I love the feel of the Duff neck. Both are great guys- I get to interact with them at Monroe camp each year and I am happy to have one of each. They love the music and are both talented players- so they understand what musicians look for in instruments are happy to try and deliver that for you. Can't go wrong either way!

[Mark Seale]

A few more examples:

Duff A5


Kimble A5


Kimble F5


Still have the F5. It's stout enough to have replaced a Gil and a MM.

Yea, but that Gil sure is good...

And of course, the video that played after the F5 was your Heiden. Still the best of the bunch. What year is the F5? It was clearly the best of the 3. The Duff sounded like it needed a couple years of whooping on it, but the treble was crystal clear which tells me there's a lot more in there.

[sgarrity]

That Gil is awesome! The Kimble (#153 built in 2008) has enough of that tone to have stopped me from repeatedly kicking myself for selling it
One of these days I need to do a comparison video of the Heiden and the Kimble. I like them both for different reasons and they’re certainly different voices.
The Duff A5 was a great mandolin. I bought that one new from Gruhns. Had a much bigger neck than his F5s usually have.

[wildpikr]

Nice picking, Shaun...you seem to have a fine collection of mandolins.

[Victor Daniel]

Here's the Kimble:


Curious, which do you prefer.

That is a hard choice as they both sound amazing. The Duff has a pleasing warmer tone, reminds me a bit of Grisman’s crusher. There is something about that Kimble though. It has more clarity and note separation. I would be completely happy woth either of those. Thanks for recording Josh.

[Charles E.]

I wonder if the OP has made a decision? Both sound very good.

[red7flag]

Both are outstanding sounding instrument, but the examples I have played the Duff's seemed in the Gilchrist camp and the Kimble's more in the Loar camp (but that has change a bit over the years). Buying a high level mandolin is like getting married, a very individual decision. Which one fits your style? What are you looking for? How does each fit with your courent menagerie? I would get the Duff personally as it would compliment my Ellis more. If I did not have the Ellis, probably would go Kimble.

[grassrootphilosopher]

I can‘t say I knew it, Josh, but I am partial to my mandolin too. Mine does not sound too far from a 20ies F-5.

[Demetrius]

With this particular example I'd have to say Kimble spoke to me. That being said I'm a Duff fan too...

[sgarrity]

Nice picking, Shaun...you seem to have a fine collection of mandolins.

Thanks Mike. I’ve done a lot of catch & release over the years. Been a great learning experience. Today my mando collection is small....Kimble F5, Heiden A5, and the new Waterloo flattop. Those three cover all the bases for me. Until MAS hits again....

[Franc Homier Lieu]

This must be the Kimble referred to in an earlier post in this thread:

[Luna Pick]

This must be the Kimble referred to in an earlier post in this thread:

I think so. It's very nice, may be one of his first F5's with his peghead design.