My man done spelled it Gilchirst. 😂 you guys are awesome! Great video as always!
@tdkrei
Жыл бұрын
Jeremy, with your experience and talent with mandolins, who the hell can argue with you. Keep on smiling.
@lenwest7734
Жыл бұрын
Collings deserves a spot amongst the "best"... especially considering Gibson is on there.
@quigley4440
7 ай бұрын
Agreed. Difficult list or impossible to do really. So many inredible luthiers dedicated to the mandolin. I asked the Santa Cruz people why they were not building mandolins, with it being so close to Richard Hoover's heart. Just don't have the time or resouces. Dang guitars.
@danstune
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for your list. You have been fair and informative. Helped me get some increased awareness of the names that are so expensive that I rarely have seen one for resale. I learned a lot.
@ThuyNguyen-zi5jy
11 күн бұрын
I waited and wait and still didn’t know what are the top 10.
@talon1623
10 ай бұрын
I had a long chat with David Harvey at a workshop in Canada. I came away thinking "wow, there simply couldn't be anyone who knows more about Gibson mandolins". This was well before his tenure at Gibson. I knew only good things could come after I heard he'd become the head of the Gibson mandolin dept.
@walterthegoat9070
Жыл бұрын
Northfield blows so many of these brands out the water. They are consistent great examples out there and their price point isn't insane. I'll take my 4th Gen Northfield pretty over anything.
@petermazur2520
8 ай бұрын
I came here to write this. Love my big mon
@50fitnessdoc
Жыл бұрын
Where do Collings, Girouard, Summit, Nugget, Kimble rank? Waybe Henderson? Apitius? How about Skip Kelley? (I didn't get Weber ranked above Dudenbostel.) Cheers!
@Banner279
Жыл бұрын
Jerry Rosa. He doesn't built them anymore but they have a sound like no other.
@editorjuno
Жыл бұрын
He's stopped making guitars, but I don't think he's completely ruled out building more mandos.
@BryanClark-gk6ie
Жыл бұрын
There's dozens of mandolin builders' there's no 2 instruments that sounds the same.
@mintonmiller
Жыл бұрын
I have just got to put in a plug for a local guy now retired from instrument making. LLoyd Laplant lives here in northers Minnesota. He built guitars based of the Martin Dreadnought and also Mandolins. Back in the day, I remember seeing a lot of his stuff being played by musicians performing in Nashville on TNN. Although I will never be able to afford one, I am proud to have had the pleasure of picking with him on many occasions. A true gentleman and one of the most humble peopl on the planet. I am always envious when I see someone with one of his guitars or mandolins. I know the guy who has the first mandolin LLoyd made (LLoyd cringes every time he sees it) and I have got to play LLoyd's personal Laplant Mandolin. What a Delight that is.
@ruffner959
11 ай бұрын
I would love to see a ranking like this where an example of each builder is played live. Or if not live, show an excerpt of a video of one of that builder's mandolins being played.
@feelinghealingfrequences7179
7 ай бұрын
just go to a mandolin store and play them all record it and upload it in youtube app
@JakeHoward
Жыл бұрын
I have to say Nugget is one of the most knowledgeable builders out there. Easily on my Mount Rushmore of builders. He’s a treasure trove of the mandolin goods.
@daveyharrison9627
Жыл бұрын
Absolutely agree. My Nugget A style is my lifetime mandolin
@andyorr1597
Жыл бұрын
With Red Diamond’s and Gilchrist’s being veritable unicorns, Gibson moves to the top of the list because you can actually own one today. As a 30 year player owning several Weber, Northfield, Collings and Flatiron, I agree that Gibson’s are consistently the best. That dry Gibson tone just does it for me. Dave Harvey and crew are building future classics today.
@joeprevitera1048
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for including my Dudenbostel #2 and Loar headstocks at the 5:00 mark. I miss the Loar but the Dude gets it done.
@bkreed27
Жыл бұрын
Dudes are good mandolins and way overpriced. No way is a Dude worth more than a Gil.
@karennewell8085
Ай бұрын
Here’s one you have probably never heard of: Billy Davis out of a dot of a town Douglass Ks. Hard to find but excellent workmanship and tone you have to hear to believe. We have #7
@jbanjo056
Жыл бұрын
Awesome video guys! Love the attention to detail
@Eeklex
10 ай бұрын
There’s nobody I’d kick off your list, but some more adds (besides a bunch of other good’uns already mentioned): Rolfe Gerhardt - Phoenix (I’ve loved mine for 25 years.) Skip Peyre- Grey Eagle (Beautifully made-fit & finish and very responsive.) John Hutto - Never played one, but I fell in love with the sound of one or two I heard, and should have gotten on the waiting list.) - Paul
@AcousticShoppe
10 ай бұрын
I always loved the tone of Dempsy Young's Hutto mandolin. -Jeremy
@oregonoutback7779
Жыл бұрын
Surprised McClanahan and Monteleone didn't make the list. Thanks for the video and discussion.
@bkreed27
Жыл бұрын
I think McClanahan is more smoke than fire. He is a great self promoter but there are some amateurish shortcomings in his building process.
@Eeklex
10 ай бұрын
Very surprised about Monteleone.
@tomspahr9659
7 ай бұрын
It depends on how you view the list. If it's a list of current builders, Monteleone doesn't really build mandolins any more. If it's a list of the 10 best all time builders, then yep, I'd put him on there.
@thefreese1
Жыл бұрын
I haven't play as many mandolins as these guys ... but the best one I ever got a hold of was a Gilchrist that Dave Wilson of the undergrass boys had . I remember that thin neck and that loud crisp even tone . Funny thing was , He liked my Fish because of the wider neck .. I liked thinner necks at the time.
@jordanbyates
Жыл бұрын
There’s a translucent green Paganoni on Reverb that I’ve been drooling over for a while. For some reason those green burst mandolins really do it for me.
@acadianflatpicker
Жыл бұрын
The Canadian maritimes have two top notch luthiers that makes an awesome mandoline. Leblanc and Josee. Thought I would just give them a holler!
@CBGypsy03
11 ай бұрын
How do you find any of there work or mandos for sale?? Thanks
@darlenearseneault3356
8 ай бұрын
And its dad that Elmo is gone
@darlenearseneault3356
8 ай бұрын
Sad
@jagoq53
24 күн бұрын
The best? - the luthier who hand-carved and built my mandolin (copy of Gibson A1) has got to be up there - Mark Hickman, on the Isle of Wight 👍👍👍👍👍
@claughaun1
Жыл бұрын
Steve Sorensen in So. Cal. Builds some dream instruments.
@jeddhaberstro9922
Жыл бұрын
My top 5: 1. Heiden 2. Gilchrist 3. Dudenbostel 4. Monteleone 5. Red Diamond (or Ellis! hard to pick!)
@AcousticShoppe
Жыл бұрын
Nice list!
@shineoncoffee4772
Жыл бұрын
Collings, Nugget, Daley :)
@larryowens9508
Жыл бұрын
As a acoustic guitar player mandolins look like so much fun. Perhaps I'm due for a new skill set. The wife over my shoulder like was the Martin not enough.
@luthiermatt
7 ай бұрын
I started on the guitar first but tried the mandolin in my late 40's. It is such an amazing instrument. The layout of the scale is much more logical for my brain. I got further faster on the mandolin than I ever did on the guitar. It is in a different sonic space though so not a substitute for guitar at all.
@philipaparker
27 күн бұрын
I'd have to say Andrew Mowry out of Bend Or is one of the best. But a great list nonetheless. The ne plus ultra of the mandolin is certainly Red Diamond.
@JasonGavel
Жыл бұрын
Have you guys ever tried Crosby mandolins ? he’s a builder here in Nova Scotia he also builds guitars I see Josh Williams playing a Crosby guitar
@oldcrackadated
Жыл бұрын
I watched Randy Woods build a custom made mandolin for Bill Monroe ,that build got him a position at Gibson in their custom shop and eventually his own shop , I was the only one he allowed watch him work
@TedToob
Жыл бұрын
I dig your attention to the mandolin details - but you spelled Gilchrist incorrectly when the slide for #1 surfaced.....
@jeffreyjkkelly2520
3 ай бұрын
Washburn/Lyon & Healy are amazing. Lots of Italian boutique builders as good as these.
@BulldoggerJK
Жыл бұрын
I’d say Nugget, Anton Krutz, and Triggs as well.
@joshpowerhour5203
9 ай бұрын
Thanks for the props, boys!
@danamoyers6065
4 ай бұрын
Triggs deserves a mention in my opinion
@texhaines9957
Жыл бұрын
Guess I'll wait for Jeremy's mandolin book before I decide. Thank
@bronwynsinclair1646
Жыл бұрын
Way to go, Gilchrist! (we put prawns on the Barbie here !)
@deblane401
Жыл бұрын
I am a little biased as Bruce Weber is a friend and I have two of his builds. I agree there are many great builders out there. Too many great mandolins and way too little money. George in Montana
@mandolin8297
4 ай бұрын
You guys have great "ears" and you think through your opinions. You rightly included Gibson and placed it toward the top in terms of sound production. On those grounds Gilchrist definitely tops the list. But I know of one professional player who dumped his Gilchrist claiming that the sound production had degraded rather than improved with time and playing. Steve Hinde confirmed that sound production does NOT automatically improve with time and playing but can degrade. As you guys know not all Loars have equally impressive sound production and some are dead in the water. Time and playing have not and cannot improve the sound production of a wooden box. Red Diamond is another absolutely outstanding copy of Gibson. BUT I cannot fathom including Weber anywhere on this list. Maybe I'm missing something but I've never heard much depth of tone in a Weber compared to other boutique or independent builders. I was surprised that Kimble didn't make the cut - I've played / heard several Fs but even an A that had a remarkably rich tone with volume to match. Did you factor into your list CONSISTENCY of sound production? I played a Dudenbostel at Carters and was shocked by the underwhelming tone quality. No, strings wouldn't make any difference. I'd like to hear another rating of the rest of the independent / boutique mandolins not included in this first list. Steve Hinde has taken the bold move of making the bodies of his mandolins 1/8" deeper than the original Gibson which everyone else copies. Thanks for your videos!
@AcousticShoppe
4 ай бұрын
Thanks for the feedback, it's nice to read through your thoughts! We definitely agree that we left out a couple names that couldn't quite fit, but hey we may have to make a top 15 or top 20 video to fit them all 😅. We did try to factor in consistency but we were mostly going off of our experience with each model. I can say we have been huge fans recently of Weber, their quality has really stepped up. Thanks again for the reply, it's great to hear what community members have to say!
@tothepoint7258
Жыл бұрын
Great list. McClanahan should probably be in there somewhere.
@cfmartin568
Жыл бұрын
You guys have to check out Ratliff mandolins. Audie builds them in Churchhill, Tennessee in batches of 10 and they’re affordable by the average, hard-working broke Americans
@AcousticShoppe
Жыл бұрын
We'll have to check him out!
@dscdrkel5546
Жыл бұрын
@@AcousticShoppe YOU HAVE MADE THAT STATMENT BEFORE **BUT NO ACTION***DR KEL
@AcousticShoppe
Жыл бұрын
With all the brands in the world, it can be hard for us to get our hands on all of them, especially if they haven’t made their way through our store. One day we hope to check them out!
@jordancherkinsky4788
6 ай бұрын
Anticipation ❤
@amyferebee
Жыл бұрын
Love my Pava....very good and affordable.......a deeper dive into her story might be interesting ;^ )
@andyorr1597
Жыл бұрын
Affordable? Her satin F5 is $8K
@amyferebee
Жыл бұрын
@@andyorr1597 I got mine a few years ago, before the pandemic, and it is a simple A style, no bells or whistles.......
@RSNflatpickn
Жыл бұрын
Ok I agree on number 1 lol
@f5mando
Жыл бұрын
A lot of us agree that outside of a Loar, a Gil is the Holy Grail of F5 mandolins. Also, "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's hard to read". - Groucho Marx
@dscdrkel5546
Жыл бұрын
THE BEST MANDOLIN BUILDER IN THE WORLD IS AUDREY RATTIFF CHECK HIM OUT*-*HE BUILDS 12 MANDOLINS AT A TIME ****DR KEL
@RSNflatpickn
Жыл бұрын
@@f5mando funny story i went to Rosine ky to the barn for the first time and i was standing outside listening ,and i kept hearing a mandolin chopping and it sounded out of time ,finally turning to notice someone clear across the parking lot behind the store playing by himself i introduced my self and he did i ask what are you playing and it was a Gil one of the best ithink i ever heard 3 years later i was in nashville at afrinds playing and Aubrey Hauney pulled out a mandolin and started playing it i was blown away i i told him i have only heard 1 other mandolin that sounds that good and told him this tory of the other guy and he said i just bought this from him! true story
@jstout1947
9 ай бұрын
You nailed # 1 and 2 The best of the best......................joe
@davidshepack2484
Ай бұрын
Northfield mandolins should definitely be high on this list.
@tomehCanada
Жыл бұрын
More Canadian input. Apitius Mandolin Co, Mulmur, Ontario. Sohn Stringed Instruments, British Columbia, Ian Pattison Instruments, Wellington County Ontario.
@bkreed27
Жыл бұрын
Larry Muth in Regina! Muth mandos are excellent and very reasonably priced.
@BPTrack
Жыл бұрын
Northfield Artist top five at least. I played a Gilchrist for over half an hour. My Northfield very close and 6k not 30k
@bkreed27
Жыл бұрын
Let's face it. Given a proper set up they're all pretty close.
@russsmith488
Жыл бұрын
Nugget Ratcliff Collings ?
@rzh3443
Жыл бұрын
Wondered about Collings also. Are they still building them , though? They also seemed to have dropped the Waterloo guitar line as well. COVID was a killer of business for sure.
@charlesbolton8471
Жыл бұрын
I don’t think Waterloo has been discontinued since their website is still current. I have heard that they were just putting more focus on the Collings brand.
@bkpeary
9 ай бұрын
I live half a mile from Collings. They do still make incredible mandolins
@Jack-OLantern
4 ай бұрын
@@bkpeary I would be so wantonly miserable living so close to such masterful instruments and can't afford anything inside!! LOL!!!but I hope you can!
@tonyhunter7760
8 ай бұрын
" Gilchirst" is No 1 of course.......classic typo guys. Google set me straight though..phew!
@SaltShack
6 ай бұрын
Clark Mandolins. Boise ID. I know he made an octave for Sierra Hull and his French varnish finish is outstanding.
@matthewmcclure3181
7 ай бұрын
Curious to hear your thoughts on vintage (prewar) vs. high end modern mandolins. To contextualize my question, I'm a guitar player and occasionally dabble with other stringed instruments. Stumbled onto a good deal about 10 years ago and purchased a 1925 Maurer (Larson Bros) flatback. I enjoy playing it, but unlike vintage guitars, I don't have enough background to comparatively judge the quality of this instrument (note: it's in really good condition).
@AcousticShoppe
7 ай бұрын
Honestly that would be really hard to compare to a hand-carved mandolin from any era. We say that if you're enjoying playing it, that's really all that matters!
@kevinfox6334
8 ай бұрын
Love the vid; interesting typo
@davidscotbrown3241
5 ай бұрын
You've got to have a look at Capek mandolins out of the Czech Republic.
Not sure why you both decided to hold two Pac Rim mandolins that probably wouldn’t be seen on anyone’s Top 20 mandolin list while discussing top-tier world class mandolins. It was like watching two guys holding a Bud and a Miller while discussing top-tier craft beers. That said, it’s a given that a list like this is going to be subjective, and I think that you succeeded in showing what a golden age of mandolin building we’re in, given all the other builders (e.g., Heiden, Apitius, Duff, Smart, Austin Clark, Kremnitzer (Nugget), Sobell, Ruhland) in addition to your ten who also could be named to a Top 10 list.
@davidshepack2484
Ай бұрын
One of the first 15 Gibson made Flatirons that Bruce Weber made was better than the Gilchrist I played.
@SillyMoustache
Жыл бұрын
why does the guy on the left with the squeaky voice always talk over the other one. it is uncomfortable to watch.
@f5mando
Жыл бұрын
Ha! You win for the funniest comment, sir!
@SeaDrive300
Жыл бұрын
The reason is that "the guy on the left", although he's playing a mandolin here, is actually a guitar player, which means that he's naturally inclined to "talk over" *real* musicians... 🙂
@jamesakers1175
Жыл бұрын
My guess is that some things in life size matters. Especially with brothers.
@bkreed27
Жыл бұрын
That's unkind.
@jamesakers1175
Жыл бұрын
@@bkreed27 Why? My big brother was always pounding on me and I would get caught retaliating. He would just laugh and make me even madder.
@FunsongsMusicByPeterRahill
Жыл бұрын
Will this 4,470 desktop studio view warrant the 182nd subscriber LIKE? The suspenders are killin' me... nah - didn't hear you mention The Rosa... maybe even Arlen.
@chadeller6518
Жыл бұрын
Steve Hinde, Pava, Apitius
@lowtone9
Жыл бұрын
Hinde is second to none. I’ve played a lot of mandolins, including a Gilchrist.
@boco1951
Жыл бұрын
Robert L Givens.
@Katerina9256
Жыл бұрын
Any thoughts on the Anton Krutz mandolin?
@joshuarubin1858
8 ай бұрын
What stores can you go to to sample mandolins?
@AcousticShoppe
8 ай бұрын
When it comes to boutique mandolins, it can be hard to find a place that has more than just a few. We have many on order from companies featured in this video so we're definitely on the way to being a store that folks can sample a wide variety from: www.theacousticshoppe.com/shop/Instruments/Mandolins.htm That said, you can try to sample mandolins at bluegrass festivals or jams in your area. That honestly can be a great way to try all kinds of brands and varieties, that is where we've tried most of the brands mentioned in this video 😅 Hope this helps!
@endoalley680
4 ай бұрын
I have an old Rigel G110 that is pretty unique. (OK, by unique, I mean funny looking) Also, a Ratliff F style, Which doesn't look unique. Although maybe the name is.
@thomasmoore6450
3 ай бұрын
I would have Dudes in top 3
@larrygregerson5160
Жыл бұрын
Paul Duff...the "other" Australian builder. None better.
@bkreed27
Жыл бұрын
Agree, he built two for me. One is an F4 copy. Love it so much.
@Boysenberr
Жыл бұрын
Have you never tried Hinde mandoliins????????
@AcousticShoppe
Жыл бұрын
Yes, we have carried a few of them before!
@dividedbytimestudios
Жыл бұрын
My guess before I watch is Eastman?
@charlesbolton8471
Жыл бұрын
You would think that would be it as much focus as they put on that brand.
@AcousticShoppe
Жыл бұрын
We decided to stick with smaller team, specialty mandolin builders as opposed to mass produced ones for this list!
@jeremychapman7243
Жыл бұрын
We consider Eastman probably the best option in its price range, but they wouldn't fit my definition of a top 10 builder. In fact we only carry two out of this Top 10 list, as they are mostly building in such small quantities that they are selling direct, or not opening new dealers. I still love what they are doing. That said, Eastman averages $1200 - $1800, whereas most of these mandolins in this list are in the $9,000-$25,000 range.
@jeffhildreth9244
Жыл бұрын
At :23 seconds b "O" tique.
@ericrickert3045
9 ай бұрын
Red Diamond is what I think of as tops
@fredhonaker5865
5 ай бұрын
None of this matters is what he said at the end lol…truth at last , Gibson is there , but not Apitius , Collings , Hieden !! 😂
@TheJacoop
2 ай бұрын
What about Eastman
@mikesutterfield5901
8 ай бұрын
Haha you spelled "Gilchrist" wrong.
@dscdrkel5546
Жыл бұрын
HOW DID YOU MISS THE BEST OF THE BEST BUILDERS***AUDREY RATTIFF***DR KEL
@JJ_TheGreat
7 ай бұрын
18:03 Really? I thought you could fit more onto a top 10 list?! :-
@jimzartman
5 ай бұрын
Yeah, where is Kimble?
@Gman1044
2 ай бұрын
Hieden
@jeffreyjkkelly2520
3 ай бұрын
They all learned from Gibson and Lloyd Loar.
@terrymiller9795
Жыл бұрын
Mr. Oliver Apitius. Shelburne, Ontario.
@RantzBizGroup
Жыл бұрын
All of we guitar players need left handed units. Dang chords are upside down and backward guitar chords.
@doghouse010
9 ай бұрын
Is it Gilchrist or Gilchirst?
@AcousticShoppe
9 ай бұрын
It is Gilchrist
@lowtone9
Жыл бұрын
You guys know better than to not mention Hinde.
@stevenb_space6808
4 ай бұрын
No Heiden? No Nugget? So many other great luthiers missing, too numerous to mention t,t easily could be considered "top ten" builders. But Heiden and Nugget most egregious omissions.
@TJR-CO
9 ай бұрын
I have krishot #201 from 1999, it's awesome, needed some quality setup...but after it's great
@pmscalisi
Жыл бұрын
Are there any decent mandos under $500? Mandos are so expensive.
@AcousticShoppe
Жыл бұрын
Honestly it can be hard to find especially for an F-Style because of all the labor that goes into the carving
@FunsongsMusicByPeterRahill
Жыл бұрын
When I was first looking and limited with a budget like that, I got a Rover RM-75; had the saddle upgraded to a deer antler by Rosa String Works. It's a very satisfactory instrument. Take a look. Even came with a very nice hardshell case. Disregard any talk of it being 'good for beginners'... it's not a toy.
@pmscalisi
Жыл бұрын
@@FunsongsMusicByPeterRahill thanks.
@FunsongsMusicByPeterRahill
Жыл бұрын
@@pmscalisi You're welcome - you can even find them used: watch for the shape of the headstock, not all have the classic Gibson-like "Florentine" F-style cut. Good luck, hope you end up with something you really like.
@bkreed27
Жыл бұрын
People poo-poo "The Loar" mandos because the name is pretentious. But they make decent mando for about $500.
@guitartec
Жыл бұрын
I'll go with whatever Sierra is playing.... that's #1
@patrickhanly7458
10 ай бұрын
Hmm...Collings and Nugget were big misses.
@thirdactwarrior317
10 ай бұрын
Yep. I did an thorough A-B comparison between a well-played Gilchrist and a brand new Collings MF-5 and I preferred the Collings, no question. Every Collings I've played has stood out. Three other builders I think they missed are Stiver, Old Wave (Bill Bussman) and Apitius.
@lnovy
11 ай бұрын
Rick Hayes mandolins.
@folkrock4u
10 ай бұрын
Who cares about so-called "boutique builders"?! I'm interested (we're interested) in how Collings, compares to Bourgeois, compares to Gibson.
@mandolinic
7 ай бұрын
Perhaps you need to tell whoever types your captions to pay MORE ATTENTION TO DETAIL! "botique"? "Gilchirst"? Give us a break!
@AcousticShoppe
7 ай бұрын
OK, you can take a break anytime 😊
@mandolinic
7 ай бұрын
@@AcousticShoppe Thanks. I needed that! 😎
@bkreed27
Жыл бұрын
Spare us the clickbait title. Everyone will believe #1. Fun video tho.
@walterthegoat9070
Жыл бұрын
Weber was too inconsistent.
@Phwap
2 ай бұрын
Putting current new Gibson above Ellis is laughable! I guess you need to sell those, lol… Shills… If #1,2,3 is not in no particular order Gilchrist, Dude, Ellis get back in the wood shed! ASAP! What a joke…
@Phwap
2 ай бұрын
And as mentioned no Kimble but Weber, lol…. Jokers, please get a clue before spewing your nonsense
@Phwap
2 ай бұрын
And no Collings?!?! Lol, god I hope no one listens to this!
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