I'm wondering if anyone else here has a Deneve Mando!
I have a 1977 #6. These were built by Richard Deneve back in the 70s and 80s. Dick is a Luthier in the Syracuse,N.Y.(Penneville) area and is a Builder of superb Resophonic Guitars(Dobros) and also Flattop Acoustic Guitars. He doesn't build Mandolins anymore(wish he would).
Dick had a unique way of building Mandolins where the Neck and Neck block was one piece,no joint.And also he was one of the first to use Radius Fretboards on Mandolins.He may have been the inovater of this style Fretboard.
My Deneve Mando is slightly larger than a typical F model, almost between Mandolin and Mandola.It's just a little too large to fit in a regular F model case.
I believe the Top is Engleman Spruce with wide grain,around 9 or 10 grains per inch.The Neck is Walnut and Back and Sides are Maple.
The Neck has a steeper angle than normal and is bigger than normal and longer with wider frets.
It has a throaty,woody voice which is due to the steeper Neck angle causing more pressure on the Top and the bigger Body.
I've played this Mandolin alot back in the 80s and 90s and have almost worn a hole through the top from finger wear by the Fretboard extension.
I used it on recordings,one of which it is on with Dan Tyminski and his Brother Stan(Green Mtn. Bluegrass) when I played with them back in the early 80s and also on a couple of my Family Band(Chilson Hill Gang) recordings.If anyone would like a copy of one of these,let me know.
I don't use the Deneve much anymore and leave the Strings down with fear of a Top cave-in from so much pressure,which has started to show.So I only get it out for special occasions.
I met Bill Monroe back in 92, backstage at the Peaceful Valley B-grass Fest. and let him play it,he liked it.Gave it a good look over,chopped a few chords and said "Here's a song I wrote" and commenced playing it.Can't remember the name of it,something with a Indian name. He then handed it back to me and said "That's a good Mandlin son".I shook his Hand and said Thank You Mr.Monroe. I didn't wash my Hand or change the Strings for a Year after that day!
So if anyone out there has a Deneve Mandolin,I'd love to hear from you! Jim
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