View Full Version : Freshwater and wood suggestions
Hello,
Thinking about ordering a mando from Freshwater and wanted to get feedback on service. Also, need some advice about the type of wood to use (should I decide to have them build one for me). I play mainly folk, blues and jazz and prefer a thicker tone. Do the sound hole variations make a huge difference in the tonality? I appreciate any help here...
Jim M.
Jun-28-2004, 9:13pm
David is a very good fellow to work with. I had a great experience with him and several others on this board will agree. Prepare to wait a bit longer than he estimates, but that's pretty common among luthiers. Your best bet is to e-mail him a request, and he will call you from Scotland to talk about your needs in depth. From what you are saying, I'd probably suggest rosewood. I haven't been able to compare different sound-holes, but David should be able to help you there.
Jim,
What is the time difference from the East Coast to Scotland? They've got to be what 5 hours ahead. And did you purchase something from them? If so what and how do you enjoy the mando?
David Freshwater's customer service is second to none. #If you email him an inquiry, you can expect a call from him in short order. #If you tell him what kind of sound you're looking for, he will be able to suggest types of woods to use. #After you place an order, he will continue to call you to keep you informed of the progress. #I found him to be an absolute pleasure to deal with.
I have one of his deep-box mandolins, with a spruce top, #walnut back and sides, and the Celtic Knot sound hole. #Compared to my Japanese Kentucky A model, the Freshwater is brighter and louder, with a sustain that goes on forever.
rosincloud
Jun-29-2004, 9:46am
. . . I'll second Joe F's comments. I had Dave F. make me an Octave Mandolin (Mandola)in 2002 - similar materials and design to Joe F's mandolin. . . . and yes, despite the delivery being many months overdue - the instrument when received had some delightful sound qualities in comparison to 2 other similarly priced (UK) makes. The long scale length of the mandola gives it a harp like sustain that is eminently suitable for folk and trad music and I suspect you will get the same nuances with a mandolin.
That said, the spruce top is quite soft and so give yourself a bit of string clearance . . . and don't wear anything on your plucking wrist! (I think maybe a scratchplate or the like might affect the tonal characteristics of the wood which must be central to the sound characteristics). I had to work on the action, which was quite high and subsequently changed and improved the nut and bridge. The build quality is not exceptional but tonally I suspect Freshwater mandolins are a hard act to follow . . . for the price!
Regards,
Jim M.
Jun-29-2004, 1:10pm
I ordered an octave mandola, rosewood back, full eq., celtic-knot soundhole. It probably took about 6 months longer than David's original estimate, but he kept me up-to-date through the process. It is a very nice instrument and it sounded very good plugged in, too. I sold it, but don't take that as a knock on Freshwater. I buy and sell more instruments than I really need and I wouldn't hesitate to order another from David. Yes, Scotland is 5 hours ahead of eastern U.S., and 8 hours ahead of where I am, but that doesn't stop him from calling.
Thanks for all your help. Actually David and I are trying to schedule a time to chat about my mando. He tired to call but I was surfing this site...tee hee
I am planning on ordering one from him...thanks for everyone's help here...I love this place :-)