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Thread: Ellis F5 Special

  1. #1
    Registered User Darwin Gaston's Avatar
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    Default Ellis F5 Special

    I just received this new Ellis F5 Special #550 today. This mandolin is a testament to Tom’s ability to voice a mandolin! Its rich, vibrant and lively, with great SUSTAIN!! Tom’s workmanship is flawless.

    I was able to get this Ellis F5 Special through The Music Emporium while it was in the process of being made I added a Weldon Lister engraved James tailpiece. I can honestly say after getting this Ellis F5 Special I won't be looking for anymore F5 mandolins. I’m DONE!! Thanks to Tom Ellis what a great guy to work with. We need more people in this world today like Tom Ellis and Andy at The Music Emporium.

    Here are a couple pics.
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    2023 A. Lawrence Smart A5
    2022 Girouard Griffith Tribute A5
    2021 Ellis F5 Special
    2021 Girouard Concert Master F Oval-hole
    2020 Heiden Artist Plus A5
    1992 Givens A6
    1919 Martin Style C

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  3. #2
    Registered User Darwin Gaston's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ellis F5 Special

    Here are some more pics of the Ellis F5 Special.
    Click image for larger version. 

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    2023 A. Lawrence Smart A5
    2022 Girouard Griffith Tribute A5
    2021 Ellis F5 Special
    2021 Girouard Concert Master F Oval-hole
    2020 Heiden Artist Plus A5
    1992 Givens A6
    1919 Martin Style C

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  5. #3

    Default Re: Ellis F5 Special

    Congrats Darwin! Boy howdy, that's one spectacular mandolin! The tailpiece is so nice too. Wow!
    2010 Heiden A5, 2020 Pomeroy oval A, 2013 Kentucky KM1000 F5, 2012 Girouard A Mandola w ff holes, 2001 Old Wave A oval octave
    http://HillbillyChamberMusic.bandcamp.com
    Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@hillbillychambermusic

  6. #4

    Default Re: Ellis F5 Special

    Quote Originally Posted by Darwin Gaston View Post
    I won't be looking for anymore F5 mandolins. I’m DONE!!
    Famous MASt words!

    Absolutely stunning instrument!

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  8. #5
    Registered User Darwin Gaston's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ellis F5 Special

    Quote Originally Posted by Don Grieser View Post
    Congrats Darwin! Boy howdy, that's one spectacular mandolin! The tailpiece is so nice too. Wow!
    Thanks Don for the nice comments!

    A few years back I had purchased an Ellis A5 from Evan one of the Mandolin Cafe members and I got stupid and sold it and regretted doing it. So I decided to sell a couple of my guitars and purchase an Ellis F5 Special mandolins and I’m so glad I did. I’m one happy camper right now!!
    Last edited by Darwin Gaston; Nov-03-2021 at 10:55pm.
    2023 A. Lawrence Smart A5
    2022 Girouard Griffith Tribute A5
    2021 Ellis F5 Special
    2021 Girouard Concert Master F Oval-hole
    2020 Heiden Artist Plus A5
    1992 Givens A6
    1919 Martin Style C

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  10. #6
    Registered User Darwin Gaston's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ellis F5 Special

    Quote Originally Posted by bradeasley View Post
    Famous MASt words!

    Absolutely stunning instrument!
    Thanks Bradeasley,

    If I get stupid and get another F5 mandolin after getting this Ellis F5 Special my wife has every right to chew my you know what out!!
    2023 A. Lawrence Smart A5
    2022 Girouard Griffith Tribute A5
    2021 Ellis F5 Special
    2021 Girouard Concert Master F Oval-hole
    2020 Heiden Artist Plus A5
    1992 Givens A6
    1919 Martin Style C

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  12. #7
    Registered User Glassweb's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ellis F5 Special

    You're on a roll man... first the Flatiron Artist and now this... game over man! Play on... play on!

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  14. #8
    Purveyor of Sunshine sgarrity's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ellis F5 Special

    Beautiful mandolin. And that’s quite the stable! Enjoy

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  16. #9
    Registered User Darwin Gaston's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ellis F5 Special

    Quote Originally Posted by Glassweb View Post
    You're on a roll man... first the Flatiron Artist and now this... game over man! Play on... play on!
    Your right I don’t have any excuses not to play mandolin now! When those Flatiron Artist A5 mandolin shows up for sale you have to jump on them quick or they are gone. I have to say those old Bozeman made Flatiron Artist A5 are one sweet mandolin.
    2023 A. Lawrence Smart A5
    2022 Girouard Griffith Tribute A5
    2021 Ellis F5 Special
    2021 Girouard Concert Master F Oval-hole
    2020 Heiden Artist Plus A5
    1992 Givens A6
    1919 Martin Style C

  17. #10
    Registered User urobouros's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ellis F5 Special

    That's purty! Congrats on finding a lifer
    2020 Northfield Big Mon
    2016 Skip Kelley A5
    2011 Weber Gallatin A20
    2021 Northfield Flattop Octave Mandolin
    2019 Pono Flattop Octave
    Richard Beard Celtic Flattop
    And a few electrics

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  19. #11
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    Default Re: Ellis F5 Special

    That is such a beautiful tailpiece and the Ellis is its equal. Stunning. No doubt you'll enjoy it to the max!! Thanks for sharing the amazing pics.

  20. #12
    Registered User Darwin Gaston's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ellis F5 Special

    Quote Originally Posted by dan in va View Post
    That is such a beautiful tailpiece and the Ellis is its equal. Stunning. No doubt you'll enjoy it to the max!! Thanks for sharing the amazing pics.
    Thanks Dan for the nice comments.

    Believe me I’m enjoying playing the Ellis F5 mandolin. I need to play it more everyday because the more I play the Ellis F5 the better it sounds! I now understand why the guys that play Ellis mandolins speak so highly of them. I think Tom’s workmanship and the finish that he puts on his mandolins are spectacular. When he added the James engraved tailpiece by Weldon Lister it was like putting icing on a cake. Tom’s mandolins are a true work of art.
    2023 A. Lawrence Smart A5
    2022 Girouard Griffith Tribute A5
    2021 Ellis F5 Special
    2021 Girouard Concert Master F Oval-hole
    2020 Heiden Artist Plus A5
    1992 Givens A6
    1919 Martin Style C

  21. #13
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    Default Re: Ellis F5 Special

    Wow, that is a work of art! Congratulations and enjoy!
    2014 AL Smart F5
    1988 Givens A
    1921 Gibson A
    2009 Peter Zwinakis Selmer Guitar
    2002 Martin D-18V
    1999 Huss and Dalton CM Custom
    Several Old Fiddles

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  23. #14

    Default Re: Ellis F5 Special

    While certainly a work of art, Tom Ellis mandolins (and everything else coming out of his shop in Austin, TX) is in a class of its own. Compared to the "top tier" builders (you know their names), Tom's mandolins are certainly a relative bargain. and aesthetically of a much higher level of artisan skills IMHO. The TME photos don't hurt either Gorgeous mandolin, enjoy forever!!!

    Len B.
    Clearwater, FL

  24. #15
    Registered User Darwin Gaston's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ellis F5 Special

    Quote Originally Posted by lenf12 View Post
    While certainly a work of art, Tom Ellis mandolins (and everything else coming out of his shop in Austin, TX) is in a class of its own. Compared to the "top tier" builders (you know their names), Tom's mandolins are certainly a relative bargain. and aesthetically of a much higher level of artisan skills IMHO. The TME photos don't hurt either Gorgeous mandolin, enjoy forever!!!

    Len B.
    Clearwater, FL
    Len,

    I have to agree with you Tom Ellis is one of the “top tier” builders and I’m surprised he doesn’t charge more for his mandolins!
    2023 A. Lawrence Smart A5
    2022 Girouard Griffith Tribute A5
    2021 Ellis F5 Special
    2021 Girouard Concert Master F Oval-hole
    2020 Heiden Artist Plus A5
    1992 Givens A6
    1919 Martin Style C

  25. #16
    Registered User Timbofood's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ellis F5 Special

    Really lovely!
    Timothy F. Lewis
    "If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett

  26. #17
    Registered User John Soper's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ellis F5 Special

    That mandolin proves again that Tom makes mandolins that look almost as good as they sound!

  27. #18

    Default Re: Ellis F5 Special

    Quote Originally Posted by Darwin Gaston View Post
    Thanks Bradeasley,

    If I get stupid and get another F5 mandolin after getting this Ellis F5 Special my wife has every right to chew my you know what out!!
    I’m pretty sure you can say the word ‘ear’ on the cafe.

    Gorgeous mandolin, too, and they sound and play better than they look.
    Gunga......Gunga.....Gu-Lunga

  28. #19

    Default Re: Ellis F5 Special

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    “If I get stupid and get another F5 mandolin after getting this Ellis F5 Special my wife has every right to chew my you know what out!!”

    Then you haven’t seen the latest Girouard G5 then?

    There’s no be-all-and-end-all in mandolin-land.
    "your posts ... very VERY opinionated ...basing your opinion/recommendations ... pot calling ...kettle... black...sarcasm...comment ...unwarranted...unnecessary...."

  29. #20
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    Default Re: Ellis F5 Special

    I don't own one. I wish I did. The few Ellis mandolins I've had a chance to play were superb in craftmanship, played like a dream, were beautiful to look at, and sounded perfect to my ear. Congrats Darwin!

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  31. #21
    Registered User Darwin Gaston's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ellis F5 Special

    Quote Originally Posted by Mandobar View Post
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    “If I get stupid and get another F5 mandolin after getting this Ellis F5 Special my wife has every right to chew my you know what out!!”

    Then you haven’t seen the latest Girouard G5 then?


    There’s no be-all-and-end-all in mandolin-land.
    I know what you are saying. I have a Concert Master Girouard F4 Oval that Max made for me. Also I want to say his wife does a beautiful job of staining his mandolins. That’s a sweet looking Girouard G5!! Thank goodness my wife changed the password to both the checking and savings account after I purchased the Ellis F5 Special.
    Last edited by Darwin Gaston; Dec-13-2021 at 9:19pm.
    2023 A. Lawrence Smart A5
    2022 Girouard Griffith Tribute A5
    2021 Ellis F5 Special
    2021 Girouard Concert Master F Oval-hole
    2020 Heiden Artist Plus A5
    1992 Givens A6
    1919 Martin Style C

  32. #22
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    Default Re: Ellis F5 Special

    Wow, what an amazing instrument ! Enjoy picking that beauty.
    I received my Ellis F5 Special custom in September this year and could not be happier. Mine has an Engelmann top, one piece back and tortoise binding. I also opted for a dark sunburst and no inlays on the fretboard. I had to sell all my mandolins to collect funds, but I do not regret. Showed it to my local dealer and he stated he has never seen an instrument of that beauty before - and for sure he has seen quite a bunch.
    I just finished a vid to display it.


    Ellis F5 Special Deluxe custom
    Anton Krutz F5
    Lawrence Smart H 5 Mandola
    Gibson K 2 Mandocello
    Northfield mahogany arch top Octave Mandolin

    guitars, banjo, dobro, weissenborn, pedal steel, fretless bass, upright bass

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  34. #23
    Registered User Darwin Gaston's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ellis F5 Special

    Quote Originally Posted by mando-bob View Post
    Wow, what an amazing instrument ! Enjoy picking that beauty.
    I received my Ellis F5 Special custom in September this year and could not be happier. Mine has an Engelmann top, one piece back and tortoise binding. I also opted for a dark sunburst and no inlays on the fretboard. I had to sell all my mandolins to collect funds, but I do not regret. Showed it to my local dealer and he stated he has never seen an instrument of that beauty before - and for sure he has seen quite a bunch.
    I just finished a vid to display it.


    Robert,

    Please post your video of your Ellis F5 Special again for some reason its not showing up in your post.
    Thanks,
    Darwin
    2023 A. Lawrence Smart A5
    2022 Girouard Griffith Tribute A5
    2021 Ellis F5 Special
    2021 Girouard Concert Master F Oval-hole
    2020 Heiden Artist Plus A5
    1992 Givens A6
    1919 Martin Style C

  35. #24
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    Default Re: Ellis F5 Special

    Somehow the link to my video did not work. I try again here:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHdGCGB_rUU
    Ellis F5 Special Deluxe custom
    Anton Krutz F5
    Lawrence Smart H 5 Mandola
    Gibson K 2 Mandocello
    Northfield mahogany arch top Octave Mandolin

    guitars, banjo, dobro, weissenborn, pedal steel, fretless bass, upright bass

  36. #25
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    Default Re: Ellis F5 Special

    Next try posting the vid. Hope it will work this time and sorry.

    Ellis F5 Special Deluxe custom
    Anton Krutz F5
    Lawrence Smart H 5 Mandola
    Gibson K 2 Mandocello
    Northfield mahogany arch top Octave Mandolin

    guitars, banjo, dobro, weissenborn, pedal steel, fretless bass, upright bass

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