New Gibson Mandolins

[Spruce]

Well, Gary, you sure picked a well-worn topic for your 13th post....

If it looks like a Troll, smells like a Troll....
Whatever...

Gary is a fine maker of violin family instruments, and has recently got the bug and built several mandolins. #His last one is one of finest Loar copies I've ever played....

He flies under the mando-maker radar, but post #13 tells me that's all about to change...

Welcome to the Cafe, Gary...

"And of course, I'm sure quite sure many of us would like to see pictures of your work."

Here ya go...
I just happen to have a few....

[Spruce]

The back...

Nicely distressed....

[testore]

Not a chance Lucky !!!!

[Spruce]

Gary is one of the only modern makers who makes an attempt to get the points "right".....

[Lee]

Gary, nice copy of the Scarampella. I would call it rather distressed.
When you build a mandolin are trying to achieve any type of signature sound?
Nice photos, nice mando, thanks for the posts Spruce.

[luckylarue]

Sorry for any association, G, nice lookin' mando.

[testore]

I can play the mando fairly well and I know what I want to hear. Been listening to mandos my whole life. Also since I deal in very expensive violin family instruments I think I have a good idea of what great players demand from their instruments. That's whay I have a hatred for such overhyped factory junk. Factory violins are never seen in the hands of professional violinists and i don't think the mandolin world should be any different. Mandolin players should demand more from the people who are supposed to build good mandos, the problem i see is that the ones in charge don't know enough about playing,listening or building to know when their product is inferior.

[testore]

All is forgiven Lucky

[Lee]

Is your goal in mandolin building to re-create the Loars of old, or do you have your own unique ideas of what makes a mandolin worthy?

[Spruce]

"Mandolin players should demand more from the people who are supposed to build good mandos, the problem i see is that the ones in charge don't know enough about playing,listening or building to know when their product is inferior.
"

Man, you talk like you throw a whiffleball....

All bluff and fluff...

[testore]

Well just like my violin building, I want players to feel like they can get what they need from my stuff when they can't afford a Guadagnini. The same goes for my mandos. Violin sound is MUCH more complex but I try to incorporate that approach to mando building. The one Bruce is posting pics of is a monster and would put it next to ANYTHING and not be afraid.

[testore]

pitchers and catchers report this week don't they?

[Spruce]

You seem to be pitchin' already...

You'll be catchin' it here pretty soon, too...

And, yes, that last mando of yours does indeed have it....

Why don't you lug it on over to Wintergrass in a couple weeks?

[testore]

Maybe, what are the dates?

[Scotti Adams]

It does look real good..do you have any pics of the front?

[danb]

Testore, your F5 looks very nice, the detail work on the point protector is beautiful!

For god's sake though, *PLEASE* steer away from the "blah blah blah Gibson sucks" topics, or anything else that is going to obviously piss off a pile of people.

Topics like that start nasty, and denigrate rapidly into a bunch of pointless grunting.

Look at it this way.. if you do come to wintergrass, take the opportunity to walk into a jam session full of people playing Gibsons and see if you still feel like insulting their tastes.. people constantly seem to forget that they are addressing several thousand people at a time here with varied taste.

For that matter, how about just walking right up to the folks who build them and tell them how much you think their product sucks. Would it seem like you were being childish and rude if you did that in person? Is it any different to say it on a web forum, or by email?

[Jim M.]

I've certainly heard of your violins and they have a great reputation. I'm assuming you are not building your mandos just for fun. Where are they available?

[testore]

Great advice danb. Point well taken and appreciated. I'll behave from now on. IJim M. my mandos are available from me only .Since I am running a violin shop and doing a mess of work in that field my mando procuction is slow. I will have one ready in about 3-4 weeks however. I have a couple of interested parties now but who knows. It won't be distressed,slick as snot new.

[mpeknox]

For that matter, how about just walking right up to the folks who build them and tell them how much you think their product sucks. Would it seem like you were being childish and rude if you did that in person? Is it any different to say it on a web forum, or by email?

Well put Dan. I was fortunate enough to meet Charlie and Big Joe at SPBGMA and you would be hard pressed to find two friendlier people who are very proud (and rightly so) of what they do. These guys didn't know me from Adam yet they were willing to talk and let me play their mandolins (a '25(i think) and a distressed Master Model). They were both awesome and the MM will be as good as Charlie's in about 80 years or so. I don't claim to be an expert. I'm probably like the majority of the people that read/post here and don't play a top end mando (although i must say my Eastman MD605 is excellent ) If you brought your pompous attitude into a jam circle with me or my friends, you'd be pickin' alone in no time.

Oh yeah, that's a GREAT lookin' mandolin you've built.

[danb]

testore: Thanks, it's appreciated. Like a bunch of folks here I've met Charlie, Joe, Danny.. and I know my share of Gibson fans & haters too! If you do make it down to wintergrass, I would like to see your work in person.. compare details. I'm a sucker for macro photos of the Loar parts what with being a part-time mando-librarian and all.

I should have a 10-string Vega mandolin and maybe a Loar nearby, as long as I remember to carry my "Jack Bait" with me!

[testore]

Thanks to all who chimed in today. Sorry for stepping on so many toes. I do have a great deal of respect for Gibson,for hell sake without them I'd have no reason to build mandos. Imitation is the highest form of flattery and that's what most of the builders I know try to do. Thank you Gibson for making those mandolins that are worth copying.

[testore]

And one more thing. Thanks Bruce for the pics and for saving my bacon.

[fatt-dad]

That was interesting. . . . .

f-d

[mandoJeremy]

If you're such a great builder then why are you not listed in the Cafe's builders archive...and if Gibson sucks so much why haven't you not put them out of business? Honestly, do you think you (as a new member) can come on here, bash Gibson to the max, promote how great you are, and think you can sale some mandos? Who is playing one of your "GREAT" mandos? Let's hear some sound clips as well as YOU posting pics of your work instead of someone else.

[carleshicks]

It's funny, half an hour ago I was sitting in my living room playing my '03 Gibson Fern Thinking that it was the sweetest sounding mandolin that I had ever heard, but I guess that it is junk so I better buy one of testore's mandolins. It that your sales aproach.