I've had mandolins built by Paul Newson, Michael Heiden, Andrew Mowry, and Steve Holst. In each case there was excellent communication with the luthiers, timely delivery of the mandolins, and great resulting instruments.
Charlie
I've had mandolins built by Paul Newson, Michael Heiden, Andrew Mowry, and Steve Holst. In each case there was excellent communication with the luthiers, timely delivery of the mandolins, and great resulting instruments.
Charlie
+1 for Jon Mann. The wait was shorter than expected and he kept the lines of communication open. That helped make the wait (albeit a short) even easier. A pleasure to work with on all levels.
Charlie Jones
Clark 2-point #39
Rigel A Natural
Okay, below is my experience in the "custom build" arena: John "Sunburst" Hamlett has built a mandolin/octave mandolin "set" and a 12-fret dreadnought guitar for me. It was a treat watching the build(s) in progress. John was patient and gracious in humoring me when I asked him questions that I expect had been asked of him countless times before by other customer/clients. The fit, finish and playability of the instruments were/are all that I could ask for, and they were completed in a timely fashion at what I consider a reasonable price. I feel fortunate to have had this option in acquiring what I consider to be extremely high end stringed instruments.
Any pictures of your family of instruments? I'd love to see them. John put up pics of one of his mandolas here:
http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=31762
and its buyer put up a sound clip here:
http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=32854
You live and you learn (if you're awake)
... but some folks get by just making stuff up.
Michael T.
Not a mando but an electric guitar - Rice Custom Guitars. Rich and Chris were great. They were able to take my ramblings about feel and sound and gave me a truly sweet guitar at an outrageously fair price. They kept me in the loop during the entire build process and sent a bunch of photos. I would buy another instrument from them in a heartbeat - possibly an electric mandolin.
Ken Ratcliff, Silver Angel Mandolins. Ken built me a lefty A model and asked me dozens of questions before the build began, sent me photos of the instrument as it progressed, and is also a humble, gentle soul; a joy to work with. Ken is a gentleman of his word and an artist I would highly recommend.
I could not be more pleased with the instrument and I will never, ever sell it.
Oh, man - every time I see that Old Wave of yours I start to salivate.
Rob G.
Vermont
Builders with whom I have had great experiences (custom instruments built just for me):
Will Kimble (two mandolins)
Mario Proulx (guitar)
Lloyd LaPlant (mandolin)
Jim Worland (guitar)
Randy Lucas (guitar)
I've probably said this before, but it should probably be documented here, since this thread is for this purpose. So here's my experience with some fellow cafe builders!
First, John Hamlett, as he built a custom mandola for me. Wonderful experience. I'm not one to order a 'custom' instrument and then ask for a clone of something that already exists. So, the build started with creating a custom inlay for the headstock (after discussing and rejecting an idea for a custom inlay on the pickguard or elsewhere.) We also discussed body size/shape, finish color, etc. John is great at photoshop, and took my ideas and was able to translate them into a photo so that I could actually see what the finished product might look like ... this meant a lot to a visual person like me. We also discussed the sound I was looking for, I wasn't able to articulate this as well as some of John's other customers, but he's known for being about to 'dial it in' I am told if someone wants a certain sound. I was familiar enough with John's work to trust him. Throughout the process he was a good communicator and very professional. The finished product is an amazing instrument. I also highly recommend John for repair work, very skilled and again very professional.
A few others I have done business with although not custom orders per se but also know to be very professional and customer oriented: Will Kimble (Will has done some set up and repair work for me in the past and I wish I had been able to have owned one of his instruments!), Fletcher Brock and Paul Duff (have owned instruments from both, which were amazing instruments, I still see these guys at industry or other events and they are just good people.)
Have met several cafe luthiers through ibma and other events, and I'd make a guess that the bad apples are few and far between.
Paula
Michael Heiden 'A'
MH dropped a hint that he was working on a prototype 'french polish' A style. I insisted that I be allowed to buy it as I was geographically close to him. When it was ready I took the whole balance on my credit card (I hear this isn't very financially wise...?). I have never regretted it. His setup from the "factory" was so good, sooo good. Like butta...
Ten years later (where has the time gone..) she still sounds even better.
Root'n Toot'n World trav'ln Rock sniff'n Microscope twiddl'n Mando Mercenary
Tuxedo Mines
Triggs Mandolins
Youtube Stuff
I have ordered 3 custom mandolins from Tom Ellis and 2 custom mandos from Andrew Mowry. Both guys are class acts. Great communication, entirely trustworthy, timely completions, and both stand 100% behind their products. Plus, their workmanship is first rate. I highly recommend them.
Cory Hawryluk
Houston
Terry Bales built me an electric mandolin. Delivery was slightly later than estimated, but it was overall a very positive experience.
Can't recommend Andrew Mowry highly enough! I love the A5 he built for me, and he's a first class guy to deal with. He keeps you up-to-date on the build process with great "in progress" pictures, and his attention to detail is unbelievable.
My one and only custom build was just incredible from start to finish. A Gathright F5 by Foreman, Arkansas' John Gathright. His name might not be out there as much as others, but I'm telling you guys, he builds a monster, and you won't find a better guy to work with. I have the good fortune of living about 20 minutes away from him, so I was able to take pictures of just about every step from pieces of wood until she made her first sound. John is an absolute perfectionist, down to the smallest detail and it shows in the finished product. Ask anybody that has ever heard or played one. I'll post some pics later.
Great thread, BTW.
www.succotashbluegrass.com
Gathright F5 # 83
I've had great experiences with several of the builders already mentioned, Heiden, Kimble, Gilchrist, & Monteleone.......and would like to add Lawrence Smart to the list.
Chris Stanley made an F5 for me that cut across at a 45 degree angle much like the Collings. He designed the cut with a little tip that fits well with the F5 design. Chris a great guy who made me a mando with just an awsome voice. He is easy to work with and communicated well with me. I don't see ever giving up that beauty.
Tony Huber
1930 Martin Style C #14783
2011 Mowry GOM
2013 Hester F4 #31
2014 Ellis F5 #322
2017 Nyberg Mandola #172
I had a great experience with Jean Lacote of France. He worked with me to develop a unique mandolin that I am extremely proud to own, and he was great to work with. I'm really proud of my mandolin, and it sounds great to boot.
You can find his website here
Craig Coleman
Harleton, TX
Gilchrist #702
Giacomel #113 "The Black Pearl"
The Coleman Brothers & the Lone Star Boys
What a unique and beautiful instrument, Craig!
Cheers,
Jill
2018 Girouard Concert oval A
2015 JP "Whitechapel" tenor banjo
2018 Frank Tate tenor guitar
1969 Martin 00-18
my Youtube channel
Thanks Jill and Keith. I'm very proud of it. You can see and hear the mando in action here
Craig Coleman
Harleton, TX
Gilchrist #702
Giacomel #113 "The Black Pearl"
The Coleman Brothers & the Lone Star Boys
My A5, being built by Gavin Baird, Sheba Instruments in Winnipeg, Canada will be finished next month. As upfront as they get and great to work with. Pictures along with updates. Craftsmanship second to none. Clamdigger
Allen Jones is the maker's name. "Glenn" mandolins is his brand. I am very very happy owner. It was very reasonable and the tone is woody and sounds great. It has a great look. I would buy another one. I think he builds for Gibson now. He built one in about 8 mths.
Glenn F Made by Allen Jones
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