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Thread: Gilchrist and Heiden - Big Indian Blues

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    Registered User Mark Seale's Avatar
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    Default Gilchrist and Heiden - Big Indian Blues

    I finally started to record some comparison of my A style mandolins from each of these master builders. This is Gilchrist 522 and Heiden 92, 2001 and 2018 builds respectively. The Gilchrist is Red Spruce and D-Log Sugar Maple magic and the Heiden is a single piece Engelmann top over sugar maple. They both have exceptional setups, both just super easy and a joy to play.


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    Default Re: Gilchrist and Heiden - Big Indian Blues

    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Seale View Post
    I finally started to record some comparison of my A style mandolins from each of these master builders. This is Gilchrist 522 and Heiden 92, 2001 and 2018 builds respectively. The Gilchrist is Red Spruce and D-Log Sugar Maple magic and the Heiden is a single piece Engelmann top over sugar maple. They both have exceptional setups, both just super easy and a joy to play.

    Both good but to my ears I like the Gilchrist better !

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    Registered User Glassweb's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gilchrist and Heiden - Big Indian Blues

    Both great, both different. When it comes to instruments of this quality it seems to just be a matter of tonal differences.

    Playability, neck shape, response etc... those are the other parts of the equation...

    You're in good company with Steven and Michael... Play on brother!
    Last edited by Glassweb; Dec-07-2020 at 3:54pm.

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    Registered User Mark Seale's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gilchrist and Heiden - Big Indian Blues

    In retrospect, I need to restring the Gilchrist and do another comparison. The Heiden has J74 strings and the Gilchrist has Mangan Monel. I don't think the Gilchrist responds well to these. I typically use the mixed medium PB strings from D'Addario.

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    Default Re: Gilchrist and Heiden - Big Indian Blues

    They sound great to me! I'll take 1 of each.

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    Registered User MarkusSpiel's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gilchrist and Heiden - Big Indian Blues

    If I could choose one it would be the gilchrist.... thanks for sharing!
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    Default Re: Gilchrist and Heiden - Big Indian Blues

    That video shows clearly that Michael Heiden is one of the top builders in the world, if there was any question of that.
    2010 Heiden A5, 2020 Pomeroy oval A, 2013 Kentucky KM1000 F5, 2012 Girouard A Mandola w ff holes, 2001 Old Wave A oval octave
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    Default Re: Gilchrist and Heiden - Big Indian Blues

    It's hard for me to hear the differences! They both sound great. A lot of how well an instrument sounds is the player, of course. Maybe that's what I'm hearing. Well done.

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    Purveyor of Sunshine sgarrity's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gilchrist and Heiden - Big Indian Blues

    Both top tier in the tone department. With those strings I'd grab the Gil to go to a bluegrass jam and the Heiden would get most of my solo playing time. I imagine different strings would round out the Gil's tone a little.

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    Registered User Mark Seale's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gilchrist and Heiden - Big Indian Blues

    I'll put new PB strings on the Gil and re-record it. It may change some opinions...

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    Registered User grassrootphilosopher's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gilchrist and Heiden - Big Indian Blues

    Drat. Themīs nice instruments.

    I played a Heiden at TAMCO a couple of years back. It was dandy. Also the Gilchrist is from a great period. I played #500 (ex Compton) and #502 and they are very great instruments.

    I concur with that MarkusSpiel guy. Heīs got good taste (as when we met what seems a lifetime ago and jammed in the middle of the night in front of a train station - even being recorded - after listening to a fun concert with Bill Clifton). Maybe Iīll be able to play his F-2 next year at the foot of a castle mound in the backwoods of Germany. Heīs a good singer and guitar picker too.

    Oh, I forgot. That Gilchrist was slightly out of tune... You might just dump it on me (wink, wink).
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    Default Re: Gilchrist and Heiden - Big Indian Blues

    I find I can get my Heiden to sound like a Gilchrist by maxing the treble on the tone knob Click image for larger version. 

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    Registered User Gary Alter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gilchrist and Heiden - Big Indian Blues

    Quote Originally Posted by EvanElk View Post
    I find I can get my Heiden to sound like a Gilchrist by maxing the treble on the tone knob Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Heiden with tone knob.jpg 
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    Where can I order one of those? Is there one available where I can get my Gilchrist to sound like a Heiden?

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    Registered User Mark Seale's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gilchrist and Heiden - Big Indian Blues

    Quote Originally Posted by EvanElk View Post
    I find I can get my Heiden to sound like a Gilchrist by maxing the treble on the tone knob Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Heiden with tone knob.jpg 
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    That's odd, I had to turn the treble down...

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    Default Re: Gilchrist and Heiden - Big Indian Blues

    Quote Originally Posted by Don Grieser View Post
    That video shows clearly that Michael Heiden is one of the top builders in the world, if there was any question of that.
    For sure he is! In truth I found it hard to speak objectively (and intelligently) about why one sounded better or not. But I think, overall, I liked the tone of the Heiden best.
    Bernie
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