20. Anniversary Celebration my F5 Lebeda Mando

**elzami** · Oct-15-2011, 10:27am

Hello, my Jiri Lebeda F5 mandolin celebrates 20th anniversary during this year. 20 years ago I bought a brand Lebeda F5 mandolin (Prague, Czechoslovakia). Waiting time from Lebeda mandolin in 1990 was almost a 12 months. Mandolin sound was balanced and sounded very strong and full. After many years of frequent playing mandolin got excellent sound. I recorded it a few recordings on CD as well. This ranks among the best mandolin, which I could play in our country. This is my favorite instrument. Here I attach some photos of this great annual instrument.

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Now, thinking again of the new mandolin from Jiri Lebeda. The top level and quality for many years has improved significantly.

Do you have experience with this or similar instrument? Share your experiences...

Wish best playin´
Mike from Czech Republic (Europe).

..sorry for my czech-english translate...

**Ed Goist** · Oct-15-2011, 10:33am

That is a beautiful instrument!
Congratulations.

**swampstomper** · Oct-15-2011, 10:37am

Mike, I also am a Lebeda fan, I have a lovely A5 Master Model from 2005 that just keeps getting better. I caught and released an F5, which was also a quality instrument. AFAIK Jiri is not building now, at least not in public. A few years ago he moved from the Prague area to somewhere in the mountains, promising me great things in mandolins, but so far no word. There are lots of Lebedas newer than yours around, you could put a "wanted" ad. in the classifieds.

The current Czech builders have some very nice instruments, I own two Prucha, there are also Capek and Holubek.

**George R. Lane** · Oct-15-2011, 12:41pm

He is still in the builders forum and his website seems to be up to date.

**swampstomper** · Oct-15-2011, 1:58pm

Originally Posted by George R. Lane

He is still in the builders forum and his website seems to be up to date.

No, take a look at the credits on the linked page: "Copyright 2006-2008 by Jeff Cowherd..." This was back when Jeff (mandolins.net) was the US distributor. Last update to the whole site seems to be 2009.

Sorry to report this, I am eagerly waiting to see if Jiri gets back into building.

**elzami** · Oct-15-2011, 7:33pm

Originally Posted by Ed Goist

That is a beautiful instrument!
Congratulations.

Thanks a lot, definitely, such instruments deserve it,
Mike

**elzami** · Oct-15-2011, 7:41pm

Yes, there are also other Czech producers mandolins, I know. But he is also my good friend and musician, I have a current contact and above all, very good relationship with him, if need be, I think it still is not all days of the end ... believe it

**swampstomper** · Oct-16-2011, 1:09am

Originally Posted by elzami

Yes, there are also other Czech producers mandolins, I know. But he is also my good friend and musician, I have a current contact and above all, very good relationship with him, if need be, I think it still is not all days of the end ... believe it

Delighted to hear that!! We've been trying to figure out where he is and when he will get back to making instruments for sale. Keep us posted! I am sure with all his experience he will come up with something really special.

**Ivan Kelsall** · Oct-16-2011, 2:40am

I've owned 2 Lebeda Mandolins.My First 'good' Mandolin was a Lebeda F-5 'Premium Plus' that i bought 5 years back.I currently own a Lebeda "Special" F-5 model that was originally built for Jeff Cowherd in 2001,,but which subsequently made it to it's first owner in the UK via TAMCO & thence to me.
After i bought my Weber "Fern",i decided to buy a Weber "A" style,which turned out to have a neck problem.I traded that in for the Lebeda "Special". In my ignorance of the 'opening up' process,i didn't keep my first Lebeda long enough to hear how it would sound.
My "Special" is a stunning instrument in every way.Slightly bigger than the Weber & very loud & 'throaty',with a heck of a chop to it.
There was a thread a while back,where a fellow 'Cafe member was asking re.the whereabouts of Jiri Lebeda - as Swampy says above,we're still waiting for info.on what he's doing,
Ivan

**elzami** · Oct-16-2011, 5:41am

Hi, your two mandolins are beautiful as well. I will come back asap, I'll talk to him soon. Thanks a lot

**Wastafair** · Oct-17-2011, 9:32am

I am the owner of a F5 Master Model Lebeda mandolin from 2008, bought new in 2010 at Streichholz-Schachtel music store near Munchen, Germany.
It is a wonderful instrument with perfect workmanship and, as Ivan said, a very loud and throaty voice and a huge chop! By far the best mando I have ever played!
Since the purchasing of this instrument I have several times and unsuccessfully tried to get in touch with Mr Lebeda: no more web site or email available...