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Thread: What’s the nicest mandolin you’ve ever seen?

  1. #1
    Oval holes are cool David Lewis's Avatar
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    Default What’s the nicest mandolin you’ve ever seen?

    Not necessarily one of yours and not necessarily your favourite. But an instrument that made you look twice?

    And I’ll accept mandolin family.
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    Default Re: What’s the nicest mandolin you’ve ever seen?

    I would have to go with the Lyon and Healy Mandocello sold recently in the classifieds.
    Second is the blonde F4 on the cover of the David Grisman Rounder Album
    Third would be Mike Marshall's Monteleone Mandocello, just sitting there on the stage waiting to be played.
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  4. #3
    Timothy Tim Logan's Avatar
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    Default Re: What’s the nicest mandolin you’ve ever seen?

    The first would be the Lyon & Healy Model A played by Frank Solivan at Mandolin Brothers. It's the most incredible mandolin I've ever seen - even if it was only through the internet:

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HXtUG68ivY8

    The second would be one of the few Lyon & Healy mandolas for which I have very, very rarely seen an ad. I have never seen a real one. Here is an example of one such ad:

    https://vintage-instruments.com/shop...-1925-chicago/

    The third would be a Vega 207 cylinder back in immaculate condition held in the Willcut guitar shop for many years. The owner was, I believe, a collector, but had the mandolin listed for $5,000. It appears to have been sold but there is still a YouTube link:

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eEOG4RNKHsI

    The cylinder backs don't get a lot of attention - but I once played a Vega CB mandola and it was truly astounding.
    Last edited by Tim Logan; Oct-07-2022 at 6:30am.

    “There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.” ― Albert Schweitzer

    1925 Lyon & Healy Model A, #1674
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    Likes quaint instruments poul hansen's Avatar
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    Default Re: What’s the nicest mandolin you’ve ever seen?

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    Kentucky KM-805..........2 Hora M1086 Portuguese II(1 in car)
    Hora M1088 Mandola.....
    Richmond RMA-110..... .Noname Bearclaw
    Pochette Franz Janisch...5 Pocket............Alfredo Privitera pocket
    Puglisi Pocket 1908........Puglisi 1912.......Puglisi 1917
    3 Mandolinetto ..............C.Garozzo
    1 Mandriola...................Cannelo G. Mandriola...Böhm Waldzither 1921
    Johs Møller 1945............Luigi Embergher Studio 1933
    Marma Seashell back......Luigi Embergher 5bis 1909

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  8. #5

    Default Re: What’s the nicest mandolin you’ve ever seen?

    The honey amber Ellis A5 Reserve that recently hit the TME inventory is definitely in the running for me. The second I clicked on the link my jaw hit the floor. Nearly identical to what I imagine my dream forever mandolin might look like. If only......

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    Registered User grassrootphilosopher's Avatar
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    Default Re: What’s the nicest mandolin you’ve ever seen?

    In hand:
    - the Joe Val Lloyd Loar
    - Gilchrist #500 (ex-Compton, said to be modeled after BM´s Loar) and #502 (lives in Italy, last time I heard)
    - a 20ies post Loar Fern
    - my "new" (also 16 years old by now) mandolin
    - my old Strad-O-Lin

    It´s not only about seeing, it´s about the whole package. After a recent "get together" someone played my "new" mandolin. There was a halo around the notes that was absolutely divine (and not to be heard from the drivers seat).
    Olaf

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    Likes quaint instruments poul hansen's Avatar
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    Default Re: What’s the nicest mandolin you’ve ever seen?

    Richwood rma-110-vs

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    Kentucky KM-805..........2 Hora M1086 Portuguese II(1 in car)
    Hora M1088 Mandola.....
    Richmond RMA-110..... .Noname Bearclaw
    Pochette Franz Janisch...5 Pocket............Alfredo Privitera pocket
    Puglisi Pocket 1908........Puglisi 1912.......Puglisi 1917
    3 Mandolinetto ..............C.Garozzo
    1 Mandriola...................Cannelo G. Mandriola...Böhm Waldzither 1921
    Johs Møller 1945............Luigi Embergher Studio 1933
    Marma Seashell back......Luigi Embergher 5bis 1909

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    Dan Sampson mando_dan's Avatar
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    Default Re: What’s the nicest mandolin you’ve ever seen?

    John Reischman's Loar. I was so nervous that it felt like 100 lbs in my lap; my fingers were so shaky that my "playing" turned out to be a pathetic scratchy Arkansas Traveler. The Loar was the thankfully taken from my hands by a puzzled/annoyed Reischman. Embarrassing but a good lesson learn- just be happy watching and listening.
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  15. #9

    Default Re: What’s the nicest mandolin you’ve ever seen?

    In this one 10-foot area, two of Stefan Passernig's fantastic mandolins, a Mowry F-5, and a Mowry A-style f-hole mandola. The guys are pretty great, too.
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  17. #10

    Default Re: What’s the nicest mandolin you’ve ever seen?

    In person/able to have played it: a Nugget A a few years back. Great mandolin who's owner was too scared to really play it because they paid so much for it.

    In general, gotta say Thile's Dudenbostel that he is playing on the original EMajor Prelude YouTube Video. That thing sings and is just a piece of art.

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    Default Re: What’s the nicest mandolin you’ve ever seen?

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ID:	203632 Here's my Weber Yellowstone 2017 20th anniversary # 3 of 5

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    Default Re: What’s the nicest mandolin you’ve ever seen?

    Top of the line Collings MF5 Deluxe V Custom. Tortoise binding, flamed one piece back. Shiny varnish finish. Came in a Calton case with a red lining. First time I opened the case, I thought I was seeing a pirate's treasure chest of glittering jewels. Spectacular! Sounded pretty good, too.

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  23. #13
    Joe B mandopops's Avatar
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    Default Re: What’s the nicest mandolin you’ve ever seen?

    I agree with Tim and anyone else who highlights the Lyon & Healy (L&H) artist series, Mandolin, Mandola, or Mandocello. I find they are consistently stunning in appearance, sound, & playability.
    I have a symmetrical L&H Mandolin & it’s a gem. I have played many of their asymmetrical Mandolins & all were superb. I have played a few their Mandolas & I think they are among the finest fretted stringed instruments I have ever played. They sound majestic. I have seen a couple of Mandocellos & briefly played one years ago. They are equally sublime. This must sound like a paid endorsement for L&H. No, just a fan.

    & yes to Vega. I know a guy who has a Vega Mandolin & Mandola. They show their age, but sound & play wonderfully.

    Joe B
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    Timothy Tim Logan's Avatar
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    Default Re: What’s the nicest mandolin you’ve ever seen?

    You played some L&H mandolas - oh what a treat that must have been! And yes, I'm envious LOL!

    Quote Originally Posted by mandopops View Post
    I agree with Tim and anyone else who highlights the Lyon & Healy (L&H) artist series, Mandolin, Mandola, or Mandocello. I find they are consistently stunning in appearance, sound, & playability.
    I have a symmetrical L&H Mandolin & it’s a gem. I have played many of their asymmetrical Mandolins & all were superb. I have played a few their Mandolas & I think they are among the finest fretted stringed instruments I have ever played. They sound majestic. I have seen a couple of Mandocellos & briefly played one years ago. They are equally sublime. This must sound like a paid endorsement for L&H. No, just a fan.

    & yes to Vega. I know a guy who has a Vega Mandolin & Mandola. They show their age, but sound & play wonderfully.

    Joe B

    “There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.” ― Albert Schweitzer

    1925 Lyon & Healy Model A, #1674
    2015 Collings A (MT2-V)

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    harvester of clams Bill McCall's Avatar
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    Default Re: What’s the nicest mandolin you’ve ever seen?

    A mint pre 1919 F4, from an estate sale in Buffalo, in that gorgeous cherry red finish complete with Handel tuners. Didn't know anything about mandolins then, $125, but of course I didn't buy it
    Not all the clams are at the beach

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    Default Re: What’s the nicest mandolin you’ve ever seen?

    Tim O'Brien's Nugget octave mandolin. I heard and saw it up close in person. It blew my mind.

    My own Ellis F5 mandolin with Bella inlay is one of the prettiest mandolins I have ever seen. It made me look so many times that I bought it.

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    Default Re: What’s the nicest mandolin you’ve ever seen?

    Visually - if I had to pick one, I would probably go with Jethro Burns' A-5 . . . every time I see it, I want it.

    As 'players' go - I once got to play Joe Val's Loar . . . wow!

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    Default Re: What’s the nicest mandolin you’ve ever seen?

    [EDITED: Duplicate Post]
    Last edited by MikeZito; Oct-07-2022 at 2:02pm. Reason: Duplicate Post

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    Registered User Timbofood's Avatar
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    Default Re: What’s the nicest mandolin you’ve ever seen?

    Pretty much Demetrius’ inventory of “Halsey’s”!! I always kept finding little details that were just so subtle that made them stunningly beautiful.
    Timothy F. Lewis
    "If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett

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    Default Re: What’s the nicest mandolin you’ve ever seen?

    The blonde Monteleone Baby Grand at Carter Vintage really has it all going on...even more so without the arm rest and dots on the fretboard. What a master of design and craft.

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  38. #21
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Re: What’s the nicest mandolin you’ve ever seen?

    Quote Originally Posted by Bill McCall View Post
    A mint pre 1919 F4, from an estate sale in Buffalo, in that gorgeous cherry red finish complete with Handel tuners. Didn't know anything about mandolins then, $125, but of course I didn't buy it
    Oh, man .....
    "To be obsessed with the destination is to remove the focus from where you are." Philip Toshio Sudo, Zen Guitar

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    Timothy Tim Logan's Avatar
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    Default Re: What’s the nicest mandolin you’ve ever seen?

    Sue, your quote from Zen Guitar is excellent :-)

    “There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.” ― Albert Schweitzer

    1925 Lyon & Healy Model A, #1674
    2015 Collings A (MT2-V)

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  42. #23
    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: What’s the nicest mandolin you’ve ever seen?

    I had a chance to play a Gilchrist, a Montleone and a Heiden back to back and the Heiden blew the other two out of the water. I will never forget it.

    As far as visual and tone...mine.
    Charley

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  44. #24
    Fiddler & Mandolin Player Dave Reiner's Avatar
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    Default Re: What’s the nicest mandolin you’ve ever seen?

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    Registered User John Rosett's Avatar
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    Default Re: What’s the nicest mandolin you’ve ever seen?

    Probably the Griffin Loar.
    "it's not in bad taste, if it's funny" - john waters

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