My favourite mando is my JBovier ELS. So I'd have to say JBovier.
My favourite mando is my JBovier ELS. So I'd have to say JBovier.
JBovier ELS; Epiphone MM-50 VN; Epiphone MM-40L; Gretsch New Yorker G9310; Washburn M1SDLB;
Fender Nashville Deluxe Telecaster; Squier Modified Vintage Cabronita Telecaster; Gretsch 5420T; Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat: Washburn Banjo B9; Ibanez RB 5string; Ibanez RB 4 string bass
Pedalboard for ELS: Morley Cry baby Miniwah - Tuner - EHX Soul Food Overdrive - EHX Memory Toy analog Delay
Fender Blues Jr Tweed; Fender Greta;
I wish I had the opportunity to play any of these but sadly my experience has been limited to a J Bovier and a Kentucky 250
Collings. I've just always liked the sound of them. Don't own one unfortunately, but maybe someday. Until then, I will soldier on with my Old Wave.
Ovation or NOTHING!
1999 Buckeye #18 (Bucky)
198x Flatiron pancake mandola (no name)
2020 Kentucky 252 oval hole (Aurum)
Something tells me that the Nugget fans are waiting until the last minute.
I had to vote Kimble based on what is hanging on the wall. But we all know there is only one, without which none of these others would even exist, right? As for Ellis leading, well they are great, but its also a numbers game. They probably put out more instruments per year than most others on the list, so more people have their hands on them.
Maybe so. Ellis serial numbers are in the mid-500s. Gilchrist's latest batch will take him up to 818. The highest serial number Nugget I've seen is in the low 300s. I haven't been watching the others, and I know that Ellis wasn't producing consistently all that time so I'm not sure what this would break down to in terms of annual production. Looks like Gilchrist is at 20 for this year's batch.
Do we have to list ONLY one?
To summarize: the answer seems to be "Other" followed not so closely by 9 big names most of us have never owned or even played....
In fairness, I have at least "heard" of all the big names from being a member here and I'm sure they are all great! (at least they get played by famous players.....)
Gibson seems an obvious omission from "the list".....any particular reason? A lot of people play Gibson, so.....
Makes me wonder if the "poll" is focused on the "high end"......since Gibsons fall into quite a price range from $500 to $200K.......
Maybe I am missing the point.....(often happens, no biggee....)
Admittedly, I am quite happy to wallow in the "low end" and enjoy cheap musical thrills...FWIW
As to why no Gibson in the list... The limit is 10 for a poll, so I tried to focus on individuals and very small teams.
To the point about most people having never owned or played mandolins from most of these makers... I really don't see that as an issue and I'm a bit surprised actually. if this was a car forum and someone asked, "Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Porsche, etc." or a vacation forum and the poll was "Tahiti, Bali, Hawaii, Galapagos, etc." the same would be true. Most people have never driven those cars or visited those places, but they would still likely have an opinion based on what they have seen, heard, read, etc.
The point was just to gauge the group's sentiment as to which was the 'best'. It's often been a controversial topic here and I thought a simple poll (extremely low barrier to entry) might get more people engaged in that conversation, but with 1,869 views and only 51 votes it doesn't seem like a topic that people are very interested in.
Apitius mandolins sound amazing!!
I would not equate votes to interest. I’m not qualified to pass judgment on any of the listed brands because I’m a newbie and have never heard or played them. But I’m very interested to learn which ones I WANT to try someday, and of course it’s good to know the big names in case you ever stumble into a miracle find at a pawnshop or estate sale!
At the risk...Schmergel.
Make America Grateful Again!
2013 Collings MF, 2017 Northfield NF2S, 2019 Northfield Big Mon F
1968 Martin D12-20, 2008 Martin HD28, 2022 Martin CEO 7
1978 Ibanez Artist "Flying Eagle" Masterclone Banjo
Halsey.
Timothy F. Lewis
"If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett
My Weber Yellowstone special.
Another name to mention is Austin Clark that could be added to the list.
His instruments compare favourably to the names mentioned in the original poll, and can be had with less of a financial output. It’s also nice that he’s a great guy and very approachable. My wife has one of his A5’s and every time I pick it up, it puts a smile on my face. Visually it’s stunning and has all the details right. I really like the neck profile and the tone I like is there. It’s just over 3 years old and has matured nicely. It can definitely hang with any instrument in the house!
Check out his website if interested http://www.clarkmandolins.com/
No financial interest, just a happy picker
... not all those who wander are lost ...
The only one for me would be a Collings MT2V engleman top and waverlys.
J.Lane Pryce
My old Flatiron is "the only one there could be"...for me
"The Flatiron" '83 A5-2 Steve Carlsons
"wires an wood...man that's good!"
Paul Schneider. Summit Mandolins.
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