2-Point Mandolins?

[Magnus Geijer]

Thank you for the kind comments. I don't have a web site for my instruments at the moment. I keep saying I'll put one up as soon as I have an instrument that's complete and unsold, but that hasn't happened yet. A nice problem to have, I guess.

My goal sound wise is somewhere fairly close to your typical F, with a little bit more warmth and roundness of sound. Every mandolin I've built up unto the above pictured has been a prototype to some extent, but I feel like I have dialed it in with this one, #8.

Thank you,

Magnus

[jasonharsh]

This is a great thread full of cool mandolins. I haven't had the privilege of playing one of Steven Holst's mandolins, but I think his aesthetics and design are uniquely magnificent! If I could afford to buy a handmade mandolin I'd get one of his. With an honorable mention for Alan Beardsell.

Thanks to you guys who liked for the Orpheus. Here are a couple pictures of a blonde one and a burgundy burst I've been using as a demo. I hope I did this right I'm not a regular poster.

Jason Harshbarger
www.highlandstrings.com

[Bill Snyder]

Jason I don't see a price list on your site. Does your Orpheus fall in the price range being discussed?

[jasonharsh]

It's just a little outside starting at 2400, but the demo model is well under two.

[Ed Goist]

Okay, here's the thing: I'm getting incredibly rapid, thorough, and customer-oriented replies from ALL of the builders I've contacted!

This will make the final decision on choosing a builder even harder than I expected. However, this experience has also strongly validated and reinforced my decision to work with a small, independent builder…These guys are the best!

I have heard many folks lamenting that Americans can't build anything anymore.
Ha! - Those people should get to know these great builders.

I'm still not sure whom I'm going to work with, but whoever it is, I'll be honored and proud to own one of their mandolins!

…More to come

[Ed Goist]

2-Point Peghead vs. F-Style Scroll Peghead?

I'm aware this is going to be a matter of taste and personal preference, but I'd like to hear your opinions about this...

Many builders have a distinct peghead shape for their 2-Point mandolins. The 2-Point pegheads are often fan shaped, and are different from the peghead shape that the builder uses on either their A-style mandolins, or their F-Style mandolins. Hence, the builder may often have three distinct peghead shapes.

However, many builders will, as an option, place their classic F-style scroll peghead on one of their 2-Point mandolins if the customer requests this.

Which option do you think is preferable on a 2-Point mandolin…The builder's standard 2-Point peghead, or their F-style Scroll peghead? If you were commissioning a 2-Point mandolin build and were faced with this option what would you decide?

[Brent Hutto]

Never say never but I would not consider buying a mandolin with the typical over-the-top Florentine headstock that seems customary on F-style mandolins. That look is something I don't like and that putting much dead weight in the headstock is silly.

[DerTiefster]

The typical F-peghead can very easily be damaged. I'd likely go for a less vulnerable design, given the option. The first BG-440 I bought came with a broken and re-glued peghead scroll. The one I now have is intact, at least for now.

[Jill McAuley]

If I was commisioning a two point I'd want a slimmer profile peghead, snakehead style - I always think it looks a bit odd when a florentine peghead is mated to a non f-style mando, but hey, that's just me...

Cheers,
Jill

[swinginmandolins]

My 2 point has a wider headstock and my asymmetrical has a slimmer profile. I prefer the balance of the slimmer profile. The wider headstock looks nice though.

[Amandalyn]

I think the traditional F style scroll HS design seems misplaced on anything but an F scroll body. I like seeing innovative HS designs on other mandolin styles.

[JEStanek]

Violin style like the L&H Style A or snake heady. I don't like the F style headstock much... even on F Styles.

Jamie

[Ed Goist]

Brent, Michael, Jill, Teri, & Jamie: In general, I very much agree with you folks that an F-Style peghead should only be found on an F-style mandolin...
However, while considering this choice, I keep thinking about good ole Jethro Burns, and his 'A-5 two-point Florentine'!



Definitely an iconic mandolin!

[DerTiefster]

Well, whaddya know? Ed, here's a BG-440. I didn't have a full-sweep shot, so here she is in two pieces. A little more sun-tanned than Jethro's and a bit more "made in Japan," but still sweet and pretty.

[mtucker]

This one would work for me.

[Ed Goist]

Well, now I've muddied the waters by asking the builders if they can add a third point!
Why? you ask...During my research I came across this beauty, and I REALLY like the design:

[Jim Garber]

I would imagine that Ben has the jig set up for that one already. It may cost you a premium to have other builders add that little point, since they would have to set up a different form. Best to ask, of course. I also like that little flourish. It reminds me of the Rigel Q95. I know ... not a two point.

[DerTiefster]

Having that third point as a leg anchor reduces the wobbliness of holding the instrument. Might be a good thing if it's located correctly. I've heard some folks say that they've played mandolins with the third point mis-located (for them) so it doesn't provide stability on their legs when playing from a sitting position. Just pointing out that there are practical considerations involved here, not merely aesthetic issues.

[Brent Hutto]

Yeah, I would definitely want to play one with a point in that position before committing to it. It could just as easily turn into a spike depending on how you hold the instrument.

Actually, I keep my strap so short than even when sitting in one of my short-ish guitar chairs the mandolin is still well above my lap. So it probably wouldn't come into play at all for me. But if it were close-but-not-quite-right that would be a real pain.

[swinginmandolins]

Steve built my asymmetrical with the 3rd point http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...metrical+point
If you play sitting it helps to keep it positioned. I like the look of it as well. For me it was an easy decision because it made it look different from my first 2 point.

[pickloser]

I like this two point. The peghead's a little different too.

[Tokyopuffer]

Guys and gals,

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is a 2 point mandolin?

Thanks,
Don

[DerTiefster]

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is a 2 point mandolin?

Just a body design issue, aesthetics of shape without acoustic input (in my humble opinion). The classic Gibson A-style mandolin is a teardrop shape, round at the tailstock and gradually narrowing as it smoothly attaches to the neck. Imagine Garber's picture in post #67 above with the lower right hand sharp "point" filed off. That's the classic A style shape. The two-point mandolins shown in this thread take a detour en route to the neck and place "points" or sharp corners in the body, like needles on a cactus (although some might object that cactus needles aren't as pleasing to the eye as points on a mandolin).

Look at any of the images above, and you'll see some deviations from smooth curves between tailstock and neck.

[JGWoods]

My two favorites- now gone but not forgotten.

[Roger Renfro]

This is my Phoenix standard. They can be had used in the $2K range.



They're great all around mandolins.