As near as any have come to the Platonic ideal F5 in tone, playability, and sheer beauty.

Why We Love This

We have heard Heiden mandolins in Adi and Carpathian and Sitka, but an Engelmann spruce-topped example is a rarer sight here. Such was Michael's choice for this Artist Plus model, his top-shelf F-style offering, and the results are stunning!

The "Plus" designation refers to the additional white/black binding Michael opts for on black- or tortoise-bound instruments. The effect is a beautifully crisp defining border that lights up all the edges of the mandolin, a perfect finishing touch befitting this heirloom-quality instrument.

As with other Heidens we have had the pleasure of hearing, the tone is harmonically rich, the instrument responding immediately and effortlessly. A varied attack will reveal subtle varieties in color and dynamic range. All in all, this mandolin offers a deeply engaging and wholly satisfying playing experience across a wide range of styles. Not to put too fine a point on it, but there is literally nothing I'd change about this mandolin.

As of 2023, Michael's price for a new F Artist Plus mandolin is $30,000. A 2021 label, delivered in late 2022, this mandolin comes to us in excellent condition, with little to no visible signs of prior ownership. It is a great, uncommon opportunity to acquire a brilliant, recent example of Heiden's finest work.