Heiden Artist Plus A model mandolin

[Darwin Gaston]

Mark,

That’s a great ideal about a Heiden appreciation thread.......

I really like the photo of the back of your Heiden mandolin!

I would love to see more pictures of everyone’s Heiden mandolins (A, F and Octave models along with their Serial #) keep them coming!!

[Josh Levine]

What are you all trying to do to my marriage?

[Gary Alter]

As long as we're in a sharing mood, here's one we don't see very often a 2016 Heiden A Oval A-81

[KrittMoore]

Gary, is that your oval Heiden? I believe he’s only made 3 of those. Love the burst.

[Jim Roberts]

Beautiful mandolin!

[QUOTE=Mark Seale;1796869]Since this has turned into a Heiden appreciation thread, I'll submit these of #92:

[Don Grieser]

I recently shot some new pics of my Heiden A-54 so I'll add them here. I started the "In Praise of Michael Heiden" thread that Shaun bumped when I first got it 6 years ago. Even better today. Mine's a bit more burgundy than brown.

[Gary Alter]

Yes it's mine, I had been looking for the 'right' oval hole mandolin for awhile and this one showed up used on TME's website and I bought it. It's a wonderful combination of vintage oval hole tone and the sweetness/complexity of Michael's mandolins. It's kind of unique in the way it's constructed, it has tone bars, red spruce top and a sugar maple back. Michael used a short neck (vintage style) neck so I guess it's a hybrid of sorts but it definitely works. A great instrument!

[pheffernan]

I recently shot some new pics of my Heiden A-54 so I'll add them here. I started the "In Praise of Michael Heiden" thread that Shaun bumped when I first got it 6 years ago. Even better today. Mine's a bit more burgundy than brown.

When updating your will, remember that there are two “f’s” in “Heffernan.”

[Mark Seale]

I recently shot some new pics of my Heiden A-54 so I'll add them here. I started the "In Praise of Michael Heiden" thread that Shaun bumped when I first got it 6 years ago. Even better today. Mine's a bit more burgundy than brown.

You've had the same mandolin for 6 years? Is that a record?

[Don Grieser]

when updating your will, remember that there are two “f’s” in “heffernan.”

lol

[sgarrity]

Once the world is back to normal we should plan a Heidenfest somewhere.

[Paul Kotapish]

Very handsome. Heiden does beautiful work, and the few I've played have been wonderful instruments.

[Mandobar]

I just restrung my A5. I am glad I bought when I did.

So, who's going to buy the two point at mandomutt? LOL.

[Gary Alter]

I played the two point that’s at Mandomutt when I was at the Swannanoa Gathering a few years ago, it belonged to a friend of mine, it’s an exceptional sounding mandolin.

[pheffernan]

I played the two point that’s at Mandomutt when I was at the Swannanoa Gathering a few years ago, it belonged to a friend of mine, it’s an exceptional sounding mandolin.

I was wondering if it belonged to the late Phil Goodson. Looking at it makes me sad.

[Gary Alter]

Yeah, the Heiden two point was Phil’s mandolin. I think that Phil would be pleased to know that someone from the Cafe community had it and was going to continue to find more tunes in it. Phil had a number of fine mandolins which he sold off as he became ill but in my last conversation with him he said he was going to hold onto that Heiden as long as he was still able play.

[Jim Roberts]

That 2-point looks incredible and I’m guessing the tone matches the cool vibe. Michael’s work is among the best and his set-up is always perfect. Interesting that the nut material on the two-point looks out of the Heiden “ordinary” and also I don’t see a truss rod cover.

[Gary Alter]

Jim, I remember asking Phil about the nut and don't remember if it's ebony or the Delrin material that Mike Kemnitzer sometimes uses. There were probably at least a couple of previous owners so it's possible the nut was not original.

[Dave_W]

If Michael did the nut, it could very well be "Tusq", which is man-made ivory substitute. I have it on #A97.

[KrittMoore]

Not mine, but I did have the privilege of picking it up for Evan Elkin from Michael’s shop last year. One of the the most resonant and fun instruments I’ve ever played.

[EvanElk]

Not mine, but I did have the privilege of picking it up for Evan Elkin from Michael’s shop last year. One of the the most resonant and fun instruments I’ve ever played.

I had a mental lapse and stupidly let that one go....it was an incredible instrument

[Aaron Woods]

Beautiful mandolin. Congrats. I have A-16 which was the first varnish A model. I can say in the 20 years I’ve owned her all the positive attributes I love have increased. Prepare to grow old with that mandolin by your side...

[Darwin Gaston]

Not mine, but I did have the privilege of picking it up for Evan Elkin from Michael’s shop last year. One of the the most resonant and fun instruments I’ve ever played.

The wood on that instrument is breath taking. OMG!!! I'm sure it sounded just as good as it looks.....

[Mandobar]

Has anyone played the F5 that Michael has on his website as available?

[EvanElk]

Has anyone played the F5 that Michael has on his website as available?

Mary, I played it at Wintergrass. Phenomenal instrument. I hung out with Mr. Heiden and got to play that F5 and the Heritage F5 Kritt bought and both mandolins were amazing...powerful...so touch responsive and sound so good. I brought my very broken-in 2015 F Artist for Michael see again after 5 years...and I had just done a recording session with Isaac Eicher so I had gotten to play his amazing Heiden F and these two new ones were every bit as good right off the bench