Steve Price

I've been playing my Phoenix at a New York City bluegrass jam for more than a year now. The regulars, mandolin players or not, have all expressed their admiration for the instrument. Every now and again a super-picker will stop by: he'll ask me about it, I'll hold his axe while he takes a few whacks with mine, he'll hand it back with a nod and smile with "you have a good'un there." With that kind of encouragement, why wouldn't I want to learn to play better?

Eric Ludwick

Eric Ludwick's 3 favorite 'mandolins'...his 2 Phoenix Mandolins (Jazz & Neoclassical) and his daughter Amanda Lynn !!! Eric writes: I like mostly jazz, classical & folk styles ... although I have played in some bluegrass bands I'm not a big fan of it. I am currently working on transcribing the classical guitar music (hymns) of Rick Foster into mandolin tab. I really like the thomastik strings & am glad you offer these two mandolin models that are set up for them. I also love your violin design on these instruments, they play & sound fantastic.

Marc Janssen

Marc Janssen not only plays a recent Phoenix, he now has the custom Unicorn mandolin that had been around the shop(s) since 1980. He also bought for his wife a Phoenix banjo that had been built back in the Richmond shop. He wrote: "After playing the Unicorn and several friends' handmade mandolins, I now realize how truly outstanding my Phoenix is. It is light as a feather, and it's the easiest-playing mandolin I've ever held in my hands. What continues to delight me is the incredible combination of power, projection, richness, and resonance that comes out of the Phoenix. Nothing I've ever heard or played has the same versatility."

Chris Biorkman

About his custom dark finish Phoenix Bluegrass, Chris said: "I love it. It's way louder than my F5-G It's also much easier to play because of the wider neck and lack of fingerboard extension. I'm not sure that my Gibson will get much play time. I'm extremely happy with my purchase. My wife can't stay made forever, can she?" Asked about a comparison of the tone, "It seems like the Phoenix has a darker, more complex sound than the Gibson. It seems to have more of a woody tone. The Gibson has a more sweet, delicate sound. I should probably say that I really like my F5-G. It's a great sounding instrument and was built very nicely. I know there are a lot of people out there who really hate Gibson, but I have nothing but positive things to say about mine." His wife added to the discussion of tone: "She said the Gibson sounds like 'deek deek deek deek,' whereas the Phoenix has more of a 'deedle deedle deedle' sound to it." And later Chris added, "I know you wanted the picture with the Gibson and the Phoenix, but I sold the F-5G because after I got used to playing your mandolin the Gibson was hardly getting any playing time at all. I'm still loving the mandolin and couldn't be happier with my decision."

Eammon O'Rourke

Eammon O'Rourke is now playing a Phoenix mandolin with the Kathy Mattea Band

Jim Hewitt

At an outdoor jam today, two other mando players said, "Hey, nice Phoenix." My wife picked this Phoenix Bluegrass because of its warm, sweet sound.

Don Maue

Yesterday afternoon I received a message from Steve Miklas at Acoustic Music Works that my 'Pumpkin' (color) NeoClassical had arrived. The Instrument exceeds my expectations. This NeoClassical is one of the finest instruments, not to mention mandolins, I have ever played. Your work is an artistic gestalt of function and form that blur each other in the elegance of their execution. I am not usually this 'wordy' - but I guess I am the opposite of speechless! I also cannot say enough about your dealer Steve Miklas - he took the time with me to unpack and properly position the (timeless timber) bridge to absolute perfection. I had to run off to a recording session last evening and played the instrument for the musicians in the session and two of the guitar players had to stop talking because they literally could not hear each other over the dynamic range of the NeoClassical - too funny eh!! I thank you immensely for making this instrument available to me, and to Steve for putting us together.
Don Maue www.myspace.com\Novare
--> Hear Don Maue (and the NeoClassical) in concert

Steve Trott with his Phoenix Deluxe Photo by Kathryn A. Brown

Steve Trott

"At the risk of sounding like a nut, I have to tell you that I got up this morning to play my Deluxe, and I could hardly put it down to go to work. The sound is so sweet, the sustain is fantastic, and the feel is magic. I was really struggling with the mandolin until I found your Neoclassical, but then it felt like the instrument had liberated me. Now, like the Neoclassical, the Deluxe almost plays itself. Wow! It feels so alive in my hands. Are you sure you don't put a spell on your creations? Phoenix, the name is perfect."
Steve Trott
The Highwaymen

New CD from The Highwaymen featuring the "Daisies" Phoenix mandolin is titled, When the Village Was Green.

Ryan Holladay

Ryan Holladay with his Phoenix Ultra

Ryan's father, Mark, writes "Ryan is 12 now and is a two time national mandolin champion for 12 and under musicians and is the current West Tennessee mandolin champion. He has played many mandolins in music stores and of those of fellow pickers but nothing that he loves nearly as much as his Phoenix." Visit Ryan's website at www.ryanholladay.com.

Larry May

"It's a shame that all pickers of the world can't experience the sensation of hearing and feeling such a fine instrument come alive in their hands. All the parts speaking with one unified voice---the top, back and neck all alive. Who would've thought that physics, nature and aesthetics could find such harmony in your mandolins. Any note on the fretboard confirms that a fine craftsman built this mandolin with a soul. Despite being a "Bluegrass" model, this mandolin interprets my every mood---folk, blues, jazz. This bird can sing, it has so much to say."

(update) "I'm still in daily awe. All indications are this musical state of bliss is a permanent condition. There is no known cure -- and that's why I'm smiling."

Larry May

Renita "Charlie" Frost

Renita "Charlie" Frost playing with the Copper Basin String Band at the Buckeye Bluegrass Festival.

"Rolfe, this is THE most beautiful instrument! I couldn't wait until I got home--I set the bridge in and tightened up the strings (broke one of those darn wound A-strings in the process--thanks for the extras!) and got totally blown away by the sound. This Phoenix is completely awesome! Can't believe how playable it is, too--like the Neoclassical."

Renita "Charlie" Frost

Paul McCallum

Paul owns a custom Bluegrass Master Model. You can visit them at www.myspace.com/paulmccallum. Paul has ordered a Ne Plus Ultra, one of the two ever to be built.

 
Claude Jamot

"My name is Claude Jamot and I live in Nīmes in the south of France. I play for 20 years with a bluegrass band named "Blue Quitach". We recorded last year a CD with 20 other French bluegrass bands called "France Bluegrass", prefaced by Tony Trischka, which is perhaps available in the USA. Last summer, I went to New York at Mandolin Brothers and tried several mandolins. I already own a 1973 Gibson F5, wich sounds good but with not enough bass. I was very surprised and interested by your mandolins - which I didn't know - and decided to get your Bluegrass model. I play with it for several months and I'm very satisfied: chops are strong enough, the sound is very smooth and balanced, not too sharp. I really enjoy it."
Claude Jamot
Blue Quitach
Nīmes, France

Colin Gulley

The Toughcats

"I play with a band out on North Haven called The Toughcats. We have just got our website up and running and included is a couple clips of my Phoenix Neo-bluegrass mando. One clip is in the third song on the video link and the other one is on the track 'Thunderbird' which is being hosted on our MySpace link. The sound quality is better on 'Thunderbird'. I play mostly banjo and just started with the mandolin last spring so hopefully I'll get better and play more mando. We hope to post some more music soon, and should have a CD in the next couple months. I just want you to know that my Phoenix mandolin is my most prized posession. I have never taken care of anything else I have owned so diligently. I just can't even begin to describe what a work of art and craftsmanship you have created. It's a feeling only a person who has played a Phoenix mandolin can understand."
Colin Gulley
The Toughcats
www.toughcats.com

Jim Watts

I have had my new Phoenix Deluxe for about a week now and my most recent bout of MAS has subsided for the time being. I must say, I'm very impressed with the craftsmanship of the Phoenix Deluxe as well as the wood selection, finish, fit, but most of all, the sound. I don't know how else to describe it but, "Wow, how does so much sound come out of this mandolin?" Not only is it very loud, but the tone is simply awesome. The red spruce top gives this mandolin solid, bell like trebles and a roaring bass. When I opened the case for the first time I knew this was a special mandolin. The fluted F holes remind me of a well made violin and the color gives you the sense of a vintage instrument. I've never seen a mandolin carved like this, simply stunning. The two points are carved to have a slight "hollowed out" look and adds accent to the very nice, clean lines of the edges. The back is carved in the two point area as well, and it's also got a slightly higher seam down the middle of the back where it's glued together and then it's carved down toward the edges. It's actually hard to describe the carving, but I can assure you, it's a sight to behold. By the way, did I mention how beautiful this instrument is? (I know, but it's worth repeating.) The carved ebony pick guard is just right; it doesn't get in the way, but it adds protection from the pick in the right areas as well as keeping with the theme of the instrument. Now, the playability of this mandolin is wonderful. I simply can't seem to put the mandolin down. Oh, and this thing is light as a feather, I don't know how Rolfe does this, but it's the lightest mandolin I've ever picked up. The fret's are of average size, not banjo frets, but also not as narrow as what Gibson uses on their mandolins. The slight radius on the finger board is just right and it plays like a dream.

From the inlay on the headstock to the ebony covered tail-piece, you know this is a quality instrument.

Jim Watts
Wayne, WV

P.S.: I have no financial interest in Phoenix Mandolins; just a happy customer.

Evan Reilly

Evan Reilly, a long-time supporter of Rolfe Gerhardt's luthiery work, holds the prototype for the Phoenix Bluegrass mandolins, #164 (the lighter-finished mandolin), built to Evan's specifications. When the Douglas Fir top developed too many splits to be further repaired---the cleats have cleats, and there must be a bottle of super glue in there---a custom replacement, #301, was built. Evan's #164 is still playable and appears at many jams and onstage, but #301, built especially for Evan's energetic Monroe-style playing with heavy strings, will make sure #164 doesn't get much play and takes a well-deserved retirement.
Hear Evan play his Bluegrass Master Model: click here.

Aaron Goff

I like to think I have the nicest mando in Boston (and I really believe I do). I have become a spokesperson for your mandos. I tell everyone to buy one. Hope it gets you some business.

Aaron Goff

Elizabeth Guffey

I've had more compliments on the mandolin. I've been playing at jams every once in a while and every time somebody comments on how nice the mandolin sounds, or how well-constructed it is, or how easily it plays. Just thought you'd like to know. :>