Awesome video! This is one of the only videos comparing this many high-end models. (Thanks!). IMO, I think more folks would be dedicated mandola players if they could get their hands on one in their earlier years. Decades later, I bought one and love it. I’m so glad you played it. I’m curious, though… did they have a Monteleone ? That’s my favorite mandolin sound!
Gilchrist’ to my ear the sweetest newer Mando. The Nugget was sure bright in a cool way. The one you crafted sounded pretty darn sweet ! The 2nd Loar👍 best of bunch-if that was tuned up with new strings. I have a 2013 Elkhorn’ F-5 I bought for a great bargain $3500 I enjoy
I'm frankly amazed that any musician can afford any of them. But if it is the tool of your trade....the Gilchrist does indeed have it. Congratulations.
The Nugget’ sounded really good. The Gilchrist’ only a few years old was easily its equal for such a newer Mando. They Both to my ear were as good as the 1923’ Loar’ ! Austin Clark’ makes amazing Mandolins!
Dazzling! I had settled on the Gilchrist as the overall richest sounding, until you started dragging out the Loars, and then the wheels came off! But at a century old, with years and years of different owners and performance applications, these amazing and truly “prime” old instruments SHOULD sound better! It’s an affirmation for us all that acoustic instruments DO mature and acquire over time, the “impress” of their various arpeggiating owners! Judging by the obvious longevity of kindred sorts of instruments in the violin family, I think it’s fair to guess that mandolin family instruments should, with proper care and feeding, have a minimum functional lifespan of at least five to seven hundred years! I think the Gilchrist will do just fine! It was nice that you played essentially the same things (with minor variations, of course!) on each instrument for comparisons sake… A truly wonderful and enjoyable post! Bravo! - Best regards, Glenn Jones PS: Your brief “vignette” at the very end turned my quite badly mistaken bias assessing mandolas as “instruments of accompaniment” on it’s ear… thanks for that! Now where have all the mandolas gone (“long time passing…”)? PPS: I totally get your reticence in regard to turning the ivory tuning buttons on those old Loars, in that “nosebleed”price range! Shouldn’t they fit those old beauties with exact repro tuners for function, and put the originals in the cases? I guess it’s up to the buyer, but one would assume most buyers would want form AND function, yes? Just a thought…
Wow what a collection ...Wondering if you all knew how much a 1920 mel bay in preety good condition goes for...Its in the sears catalog thats where my grandpops got it.Jam on.
Hey Brother, William here, my old computer died and the wife set this one up. All are great and different, it all depends on what the buyer wants "and can afford" as tone is very subjective and some of those strings sound shot to me. I love the Virzi tone as my one Dec.1st 24 F-5 has one. Great playing by the way! And the one you built sounds mighty fine to me, it has a Gibsonesque voice. God Bless
I liked the rich tone of the Gilchrist, before you stated that you were considering that one. The Loars are amazing instruments, for sure! I also was impressed with the Gibson Mandala, although it reminded me more of what you might associate with Medieval classical ballads, than bluegrass music. INTERESTING!!
Fun video! All these fine mandolins sound so similar that no one could possible tell the difference in hearing them from the stage. The search for the "best" mandolin is mostly an addiction and or ego trip that professional musicians like to wander down! 😂🤣 And more power to them. But seriously when you really think about it why should a Loar sound the best or even better??? It is illogical to think so! These 250 mandolins were the first F-5 mandolins made. They were built by mortal humans in 1922 - 24 -- was that time of ratified air or during a suspension of the laws of physics? No. Why wouldn't a mandolin built by Gilchrist who has personally with his own hands. built over 1000 F-style mandolin and who has the advantage of all the knowledge and improved technology of 100 years be better than a Gibson Loar? If you apply common sense they would logically HAVE to be BETTER. I know musicians do not like to hear talk like that! 😂🤣😂 Sorry.
Looks as if the price of the Loars has come down to less than half of what they were previously. I have a 1978 Henderson that I will put up against any of them.
Great comparison video. The Gilchrist is really on steroids compared to the Loars.... but common, they have 80 years of development. 🎶🎵🎶.. I'm a rhythm guitar player....
There is 2 "L"s in Lloyd Loar, not one. Didn't the March 31, 1924 have a Virzi in it? It should have unless it was taken out. Strings were dead on that one too.
damn, the nugget and Gilchrist both sound amazing. Certainly as good as the loars. Also, your mando sounds quite nice.
“Lar” 😂
I'm about ready to move to Nashville just so I can spend some time hanging out at Carter 🤠
Nice!
Awesome video! This is one of the only videos comparing this many high-end models. (Thanks!). IMO, I think more folks would be dedicated mandola players if they could get their hands on one in their earlier years. Decades later, I bought one and love it. I’m so glad you played it. I’m curious, though… did they have a Monteleone ? That’s my favorite mandolin sound!
They did not have a Monteleone there.
I’ve heard of that maker, but I’ve never tried one of those mandolins yet.
Gilchrist’ to my ear the sweetest newer Mando. The Nugget was sure bright in a cool way. The one you crafted sounded pretty darn sweet ! The 2nd Loar👍 best of bunch-if that was tuned up with new strings. I have a 2013 Elkhorn’ F-5 I bought for a great bargain $3500 I enjoy
Love the mandola !! :-)
I'm frankly amazed that any musician can afford any of them. But if it is the tool of your trade....the Gilchrist does indeed have it. Congratulations.
Your mandolin more than held it’s own. Well done! For a newer model, the Gilcrist is staggering; but that 1923 Loar Gibson is phenomenal.
The Nugget’ sounded really good. The Gilchrist’ only a few years old was easily its equal for such a newer Mando. They Both to my ear were as good as the 1923’ Loar’ ! Austin Clark’ makes amazing Mandolins!
I second that!
They have that Haggard tele in the background priced $15k. You can get them all day for $7k. Keep that in mind when you walk into Carter.
Dazzling!
I had settled on the Gilchrist as the overall richest sounding, until you started dragging out the Loars, and then the wheels came off!
But at a century old, with years and years of different owners and performance applications, these amazing and truly “prime” old instruments SHOULD sound better! It’s an affirmation for us all that acoustic instruments DO mature and acquire over time, the “impress” of their various arpeggiating owners!
Judging by the obvious longevity of kindred sorts of instruments in the violin family, I think it’s fair to guess that mandolin family instruments should, with proper care and feeding, have a minimum functional lifespan of at least five to seven hundred years! I think the Gilchrist will do just fine!
It was nice that you played essentially the same things (with minor variations, of course!) on each instrument for comparisons sake…
A truly wonderful and enjoyable post! Bravo!
- Best regards,
Glenn Jones
PS: Your brief “vignette” at the very end turned my quite badly mistaken bias assessing mandolas as “instruments of accompaniment” on it’s ear… thanks for that!
Now where have all the mandolas gone (“long time passing…”)?
PPS: I totally get your reticence in regard to turning the ivory tuning buttons on those old Loars, in that “nosebleed”price range! Shouldn’t they fit those old beauties with exact repro tuners for function, and put the originals in the cases? I guess it’s up to the buyer, but one would assume most buyers would want form AND function, yes? Just a thought…
Wow what a collection ...Wondering if you all knew how much a 1920 mel bay in preety good condition goes for...Its in the sears catalog thats where my grandpops got it.Jam on.
Not sure, google might!
Would like to see/hear an older Weber in your comparisons!
Your mandolin sounds great and stands up well to this whole bunch! Less volume, but nice tone for sure.
Hey Brother, William here, my old computer died and the wife set this one up. All are great and different, it all depends on what the buyer wants "and can afford" as tone is very subjective and some of those strings sound shot to me. I love the Virzi tone as my one Dec.1st 24 F-5 has one. Great playing by the way! And the one you built sounds mighty fine to me, it has a Gibsonesque voice. God Bless
My Daley!
Thank you for the video. It would be interesting if you could do a blind test to see which mandolin sound the viewers like most.
That’s a good idea. 👌
Gilchrist/Nugget sound the best to me
I liked the rich tone of the Gilchrist, before you stated that you were considering that one. The Loars are amazing instruments, for sure! I also was impressed with the Gibson Mandala, although it reminded me more of what you might associate with Medieval classical ballads, than bluegrass music. INTERESTING!!
The Mandola was probably the funnest to play.
What SN is the Gil? It sounds amazingly balanced.
All good, but I think I liked the Gibson Loyd Loar best.
What is the SN of the Dec 11 '23 Loar? Is it 74659?
Fun video! All these fine mandolins sound so similar that no one could possible tell the difference in hearing them from the stage. The search for the "best" mandolin is mostly an addiction and or ego trip that professional musicians like to wander down! 😂🤣 And more power to them. But seriously when you really think about it why should a Loar sound the best or even better??? It is illogical to think so! These 250 mandolins were the first F-5 mandolins made. They were built by mortal humans in 1922 - 24 -- was that time of ratified air or during a suspension of the laws of physics? No. Why wouldn't a mandolin built by Gilchrist who has personally with his own hands. built over 1000 F-style mandolin and who has the advantage of all the knowledge and improved technology of 100 years be better than a Gibson Loar? If you apply common sense they would logically HAVE to be BETTER. I know musicians do not like to hear talk like that! 😂🤣😂 Sorry.
Looks as if the price of the Loars has come down to less than half of what they were previously. I have a 1978 Henderson that I will put up against any of them.
I’ve played a Henderson before. Wayne’s a good builder!
Great comparison video. The Gilchrist is really on steroids compared to the Loars.... but common, they have 80 years of development. 🎶🎵🎶..
I'm a rhythm guitar player....
Fun, thanks for watching!
Fun, thanks for watching!
Loved the Dude too but it’s like a baseball glove lol 😊gotta give it time to set… lol
I feel out of place with my Pomeroy F5 lol
Haha
There is 2 "L"s in Lloyd Loar, not one. Didn't the March 31, 1924 have a Virzi in it? It should have unless it was taken out. Strings were dead on that one too.
I’m not sure on the virzi…. And yes, unfortunately the strings were terribly dead but the mandolins still sounded great.
Nugget is to bright.
Yes, that was my reaction as well