pickn pete - Posted - 03/04/2011:  21:08:08

Ok hypothetically if you had the choice between a Gil or a Nugget, which one would you go for and why

mark - Posted - 03/06/2011:  08:39:07

I would play both, then decide. At that range, either its your perfect mandolin or not.

Gerry Cassidy - Posted - 03/06/2011:  09:43:56

I pretty much agree with Mark. It would have to play unlike any other instrument I've ever played before for me to even begin to consider spending the kind of money these demand.

I've never played a Nugget, but I do have a friend that owns 2 Gil F5's. I have had the pleasure of spending quite a bit of time with both. Without a doubt, they are very, very nice, but I do know that I wouldn't pay the $20K, or whatever they are demanding right now. For me they just aren't that nice. Not for my money, anyway.

I know there are folks out there that disagree with me, and that's perfectly fine. I'm not going to get into a debate as to whether they are worth it, or not.

When I was playing for a living as a bassist I was able to justify spending a HUGE amount of money for an upright acoustic bass. It was my profession. It was easier to justify making the investment in my craft.

I'm not a professional mandolinist, and I don't plan on ever being one. I'll leave the big buck mando's to the folks that make a living playing them. I have been able to satisfy my needs with instruments costing less than a quarter of what one of these beauties cost.

Charley Wild - Posted - 03/15/2011:  16:28:57

Mark nailed it! I have played some top end mandolins that were less than inspiring! I wouldn't spend that kind of money without playing it for sure!

pickn pete - Posted - 03/24/2011:  22:11:14

I agree the amount of money is well quite frankly ridiculous for these mandolins. However these two guys must have done something right to be considered the better builders. Just curious that's all.

Ben Venuti - Posted - 04/10/2011:  10:15:16

Well unfortunitely the "big Buck" professional mandolinists, all six of them, already have mandolins. So who is buying these things? Little buck professional mandolinists and rank amateurs. From what I can tell, and I include myself in this, is that a great many of the high and super high end mandolins are ending up in the hands of people that are a little older and after many years of playing decide that they can spring for an expensive custom instrument.  A) Because they always wanted one and B) Because they can finally afford it. The old war horse instrument gets put away and replaced with something that is hopefully much better.  Unfortunately there is too much one upmanship and status seeking involved surrounding these instruments. So if all you could afford was a Collings,which is quite an expensive instrument in it's own right you might feel deminished by someone that trumps you with a Nugget. That I'm not guilty of. Years ago I set my sights on one day acquiring a Givens and that's what I have. I am convinced however that right now the field of luthiery is producing the finest instruments ever produced and a few of those builders will become stars and maybe make some real money doing it. That's o.k. with me if they do-- why not, there are many people that make far far more money than any luthier will make and contribute almost nothing of value to the world. Many lawyers fall into this category. We are in an economic catastrophy right now and I think that this idea of "stuff" and status is becoming obsolete really quickly. If you show up with a truely expensive instrument you better know how to play or the people around you will look at you as a spoiled brat! The bigger house and the flashier car is starting to look kind of rediculous these days. The ability for people to "fake it" is becoming too difficult so that only leaves the truely wealthy left to play and if they show off too much they won't be liked or they become targets.

TSSN - Posted - 04/10/2011:  15:10:33

quote:

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Originally posted by Ben Venuti

Well unfortunitely the "big Buck" professional mandolinists, all six of them, already have mandolins...

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There's a list?!?  May I ask who those 6 are?  I have my idea of who they might be, but then I can think of maybe a dozen who might qualify.  Bear in mind that I only make 1-2 festivals each year...  I'm a nobody-working-stiff, and not 1 degree from anyone. 

Otherwise, to the OP---I agree with Mark.  Always play before you purchase.