Anyone here play a Heiss or Hinde? Or even has seen/tried one?

[r0gue]

I'm scouring the web (and local) seeking a mandolin for myself. With the constraint that I desire an American made, this is a little more challenging it might have been. I run into Collings a lot, and occasionally what I determine to be a small builder. I take it Heiss and Hinde are indies, but I haven't heard any first-hand reviews of quality and tone. Hoping there's a few Heiss-Hinde heads on the board that might share. Thanks all!

[Jim Garber]

I never heard of Heiss but found he makes them under Boulder name: http://www.bouldermandolin.com/

Hinde is listed in the builder database. Website here: https://hindecustominstruments.com/index.html

Maybe contact the makers to see if they have records of owners in your area?

[HappyChad]

I own Hinde #46 Heritage model. I don't have any information on Heiss but I started paying attention to Hinde mandolins after watching his videos on Facebook. Check out the Hinde Instrument and Owners Group on FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/206455990935118
I was in your shoes, I have a 2012 Gallatin I absolutely love but I had the itch to get a high end mandolin. I got some great information from Nick Dumas, Chaston Carrol https://youtu.be/HK9LN99tot0 (playing his Sam Bush Hoss tribute) and Mr. Hinde himself. I've been planning on sharing what I learned with the group and this post may spur me to do it. BLUF wait time is over a year to order one and there are currently 6 retail F-styles out there 3 regular and 3 jazz, check them out on Reverb: https://reverb.com/marketplace?query=hinde%20mandolin
I say snag one while you can, FYI the Heritage model at Down Home Guitars is #44 and the very first Heritage model, his nod to a Loar spec.

[danielpatrick]

I played a few Hinde mandolins at IBMA….they all sounded great.

[G. Fisher]

I'm scouring the web (and local) seeking a mandolin for myself. With the constraint that I desire an American made, this is a little more challenging it might have been. I run into Collings a lot, and occasionally what I determine to be a small builder. I take it Heiss and Hinde are indies, but I haven't heard any first-hand reviews of quality and tone. Hoping there's a few Heiss-Hinde heads on the board that might share. Thanks all!

Here are two videos from the Acoustic Shoppe about Hinde mandolins. Steve is doing great work and his mandolins sound great. The first video is a review of the mandolin and the second is them playing Rebecca on an A and F model Hinde.

I suggest following Steve Hinde on his Facebook page and his Hinde Custom instrument Facebook page. He posts a lot of in progress stuff and videos of completed mandolins

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDgsMWValVI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHcjdpGIlEs&t=0s

[rcc56]

I set up a new Hinde F model last summer. I lowered the nut slots and did a bit of work on the bridge. If I recall correctly, it was necessary to reduce the height of the pads on the bridge base that hold the adjustment screws. This was done so I could lower the saddle enough to bring the action down to optimum spec. I believe that I also adjusted the compensation on one or two strings.

The instrument was quite powerful, and the tone was quite good. The tone was darker than many hand-built F's, but that may have been because the back and sides were rosewood rather than maple. I heard the mandolin again a few weeks ago, and it had gotten stronger.

The finish and cabinetry were passable, but not up to the level makers such as Ellis, Gilchrist, et. al.

I have not encountered any Heiss instruments.

[CarlM]

Hinde is in northern Iowa. He would display and sell instruments at some of our local bluegrass festivals around 15 years ago when he was starting out. One friend of mine has one. It looks and sounds really nice. I have heard a couple of others in jams and they cut through decently even in large jams.

[wbcohen]

Heiss mandolins are beautifully made and play and sound outstanding. Having played many each one is great and better than the previous. Builder is a great person and his attention to detail and striving for sound is beyond reproach. Zero financial or other interest. Just a fan.

[rodeoryan]

Heiss looks pretty interesting. I am thinking about looking into a bluegrass mando for myself and living in Denver he looks like a good option. I love my Gibson f-2 but some f-holes would be nice....

[CarlM]

I sat in a jam last night next to a lady playing a Hinde. It was one of his early A-styles. It sounded pretty good with quite a bit of dynamic range. She could lay back on rhythm and blend well then step out for solos and cut through pretty well without being harsh sounding.

[Terry Bud]

edit (I was doing a search when I found this thread, thinking it was only a few days old, I replied. I just now realized that it is a year old...)

I also have a Hinde. I've been around more than a few and they are amazing. You can also FB search/ youtube search Nick Dumas, he has a few amazing Hindes. Chris Luquette has probably my favorite looking ones. Nick's train mandolin, the train inlay is amazing (first video in the list) Rick Faris when he plays mandolin has a Hinde, Jesse Smathers also plays one I believe. Steve is a great guy and provides great service after the purchase as well

https://youtu.be/JBS2WYQvX0g?si=A8JWvA6HY9aI-26q



https://youtu.be/OlzblYkBqW0?si=9lNq6WPPqa3UvLtx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1v7zafUqO8&t=43s

https://youtu.be/ZDbBSC7b_8s?si=1zaEScvvcKM8oiVN&t=43
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwKXzu3bJ00

[MandolinChapman]

I've been really impressed with the Hinde mandolins. I was critical of some of Steve's finish work, but the one we just got in the shop last week is leaps and bounds above any of his that we have had in the shop. And in my opinion is the best sounding of his that we've gotten in as well. Here is the link to it on the Cafe classifieds: https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/213631#213631

I played it a bunch in a live stream yesterday. You can check that out. https://www.youtube.com/live/7C8FVZ4...PIGl89b&t=1165

Jeremy Chapman

[Terry Bud]

That's a beauty, love the shop too, missed seein' y'all at SPGMA.