quote:

Originally posted by B Woods:

Steffey's Apitius

I think he played a Daley with a 1" nut width 2 years ago, but I may have dreamed that.
Mountain Heart can play. Clay Jones, whew.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqd2h7uF7FI

CCG: Call Chad Fadely @
http://gregboyd.com/

Ask him what he thinks about that Api. He plays the mando soundclips.

They also show the Braz/Adi uke on the front page.

Apitiuses....Apitii...?? They're first rate mandolins. I've played several and they were all very good!

quote:

I think he played a Daley with a 1" nut width 2 years ago, but I may have dreamed that.

Might well have, Bossman. I was seconding Wesley's remarks about the Apitius he played when he was with AKUS a good number of years back.

Shuan, it's "Apitii," as in Apitii can't play like Adam Steffey.

"I'm sure Steffey's Apitius was a fine instrument, but I would tend to attribute most of the tone to Adam. Mandolin tone, much more so than guitars, really require the touch of a master."

Many of us gear nerds tend to forget that. We want to think if we just get the right instrument, strings, pick ect that we'll sound just like the guy we want to sound like. We forget the years of practice that goes into sounding just like Adam Steffey.

It's also pretty annoying that so many of these great players - like Chet Atkins for instence - make it look like it's so darn easy.

quote:

I'm sure Steffey's Apitius was a fine instrument, but I would tend to attribute most of the tone to Adam. Mandolin tone, much more so than guitars, really require the touch of a master.

Good points, but the OP's question had to do with information about Apitius mandolins, and Steffey's was brought up as an example.

tone, on any instrument is subjective- much of it is due to technique.......believe it or not even on piano.

that said, never buy an instrument thinking it will appreciate or hold it's value......economics being what they are......prices fluctuate.

There was a thread at mandolincafe about Oliver Apitius in the last couple of weeks--he is no longer building.

I owned an Apitius A5 a few years ago that was a very nice mandolin. I think they are a good value at present selling price.

quote:

Originally posted by B Woods:

quote:

I'm sure Steffey's Apitius was a fine instrument, but I would tend to attribute most of the tone to Adam. Mandolin tone, much more so than guitars, really require the touch of a master.

Good points, but the OP's question had to do with information about Apitius mandolins, and Steffey's was brought up as an example.

Yes, you brought up the tone of Steffey's mandolin. I thought it relevant to stress that his mandolin wouldn't sound like that in someone elses hands. Wouldn't want anybody thinking they can buy Steffey's tone, would we? However, thank you for trying to keep me focused.

Hey, I know I can't buy Steffey's tone, but we all own Collings guitars because of their inherent tone and tone capability, if you will. And I readily discern the difference in tone that happens when I'm playing the mandolins. I don't want Steffey's tone--I want different flavors of my own. OK I would want Steffey's tone, but....well, you know.

Anyway, now I'm thinking seriously about an Ellis A model--I've heard several different sound samples, and while that Api really does appeal to me inherently, an Ellis A would be a different price point, and still a trade (up??) or at least over, from what I have in my MT gloss top. And I know it would be different than my MT2O.

Mary--there was also a Brentrup for sale at mandocafe. Any thoughts there.

I know this is my call, but I'm looking for both subjective and objective information.....

Thanks.

michael

oliver has not been building for a while.

you know, michael, it all depends on what kind of music you play. you can get a nice used mt2v right now for around $3k..........and not take too much of a bath on resale.

the brentrup F5 that for sale is voiced for bluegrass. hard back and stiff top.......ya got a few years to play it and break it in? depends on your patience level. if not i left my italian topped brentrup A with steve miklas a while back as part of a trade. real sweet sounding for celtic.....more complex than the collings mt...i've no skin in it anymore, but it is a nice mando.

I saw an Apitus online last night for 6.2k....

i had an apitius A 5. nice mando but not really a bluegrass tone on that one. the hot mando right now is kimble. there's a couple at cottens. if you go to BG festivals you'll see every mando under the sun being played, all sounding pretty good.