Phoenix
Mandolins
The Phoenix Bluegrass Mandolin
This model is designed for the special bluegrass sound and utilizes medium-heavy strings. Professionals describe this model as having a "cutting chop and superb bass," "great playability," "doesn’t seem stiff or hard to play," "perfect balance between strings," and they remark on the added volume and clarity on the E-string, especially in the studio for recordings. Some players use the increased playability to make chop chords on the 12th-14th frets. Hear it on the CD "James Bailey & Company" available by calling 804-744-3962.
The Phoenix Neoclassical Mandolin
Designed for full sound with extra-light strings (up to Dr. Thomastik mediums) for mandolin orchestras, and also for easy playing of folk, jazz, Celtic, and modern classical music. Professionals are startled by its loudness and light weight, saying, "I can’t believe the volume with extra-light strings!" "So much easier (to play) I couldn't believe it," "I can comfortably reach the high double-stops," "rich and dark tone, a lyrical sound," "strong G strings," "you can hear the wood," and "amazing sustain."
Optional equipment: Fishman transducer mandolin pickup in ebony bridge - $150.00. In the year 2000 the Neoclassical model will have "2000" inlaid in the ebony tailpiece overlay.
Designed for excellence in all styles of playing using medium-light strings. Top-of-the-line model with the finest woods and craftmanship. Professionals describe this model as "loud," "wide open," "ringing," "wide dynamic range," "great bark," "it doesn’t get in the way of the music," "great tonal color," "clean, clear noting all the way up the neck, especially on the E and A," "you can do anything with it," and they remark on its great sustain and ease of playability.
Optional equipment: solid ebony suspended finger-rest - $100.00. Fishman transducer mandolin pickup in ebony bridge - $150.00. Ultra full-color poster and price list available for $5.00. In the year 2000 the Ultra model will again be available with premium Waverley tuners. The purfling on top and back will be rare Phillipine snail. The ebony finger- rest will be included, and it will come in the super-deluxe, climate-control Ameritage case.
Created as the result of requests by professional musicians who wanted the clean lines of the Neoclassical design in an instrument built to be used with heavier strings, the Deluxe model is as all-purpose as the Ultra, but with the special traditional sound of red spruce. It can also be custom-built with the Englemann spruce top of the Ultra. It features new Grover mandolin tuners custom reworked for Phoenix Mandolins with gold and black chrome parts and black buttons. The Deluxe also comes with a black aluminum Price tailpiece. The finish color is a lightly sunburst warm, dark violin brown. Optional red finish is also available. The fingerboard inlay is the famous trademarked abalone vine created for the Unicorn Master Model of the 1970s and included on the “Pickin'” fingerboard poster.
Optional equipment: Fishman transducer mandolin pickup in ebony bridge with end-pin jack -
Model |
List |
| Standard | $3,600 |
| Neoclassical The extra light string model | 3,600 |
| Bluegrass | 4,800 |
| Deluxe | 4,800 |
| Bluegrass Master Model | 9,000 |
| Ultra | 10,500 |
| Jazz Model | 4,800 |
Options |
|
| Solid ebony suspended finger rest on Standard & Bluegrass Models | 100 |
| Built-in McIntyre feather pickup with end pin jack on standard & Bluegrass models | 200 |
| These options come standard on other models |
Mandolin Brothers' Review of Phoenix Bluegrass Mandolin:
This, and one other Bluegrass received the same afternoon, would be the last Phoenix mandolin we will be receiving in 1999. Rolf Gerhardt is packing up and leaving Richmond, VA, soon to be on his way to a new location in Main. For this reason there will be no more Phoenixes shipped for the rest of 1999. The good news is that we have very nearly monopolized his mandolin production for the year 2000 (A.D.) and we will have enough mandolin to fill your entire family's mandolin needs. The Phoenix Bluegrass is certainly, in our opinion and that of those persons who came here to play mandolins and left with one, an exquisite sounding 8-stringed vessel of mandojoy, like nothing you have ever heard (except on Mr. Monroe's original recording of "Rawhide").
This model has proven to be the hottest selling new mandolin we've had the pleasure of stocking for some time. Though non-traditional in appearance its two shoulder point body is somewhat similar to the old Gibson A-5 Florentine that Jethro Burns made famous, but there the similarity ends since this mandolin has twin f-holes (Jethro's was an oval). Rolf Gerhardt carves the tops and backs of his mandolins like a fine violin maker, graduating their thickness and arch to sonic perfection. In addition, his use of space-age carbon graphite reinforcement in the neck and tone bars results in a light weight, physically balanced instrument that is responsive and really loud. The finest curly maple and spruce is chosen; body, neck and headstock are fully bound in grained ivoroid, fingerboard inlays are large abalone dots, and the headstock is crowned with Rolf's trademark phoenix in abalone. The sound combines the best attributes of the prewar F-5 with an articulate high and response and punch that is palpable.
For availability and current pricing, please phone 718 981 8585 or 718 981 3226 Monday thru Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM. You'll be glad you did.
