Ratliff R5 w/ Block Inlay #747

[jhammond]

A couple weeks ago I lucked into this amazing Ratliff mandolin on eBay. I was able to talk with the seller, local shops(Nashville) and Mr. Audey Ratliff himself. Mr Ratliff builds an amazing mandolin and is a class act. He was very willing to look into the mandolin and give any information he could. This is apparently one of very few and maybe only 2 mandolins that he has built with a block inlay. I have never bought a mandolin that I haven't seen and played in person but am glad I did.

[Mickey King]

I was digging that mando on ebay myself. I love block inlays and know Audey builds great mandolins. I might have bought it myself but I had just bought a Northfield, and had already had a Lafferty Deluxe custom built with block inlays by Paul Schneider of Summit Mandolins. Both Paul and Audey build the Lafferty's for The Mandolin Store.

[jhammond]

I was digging that mando on ebay myself. I love block inlays and know Audey builds great mandolins. I might have bought it myself but I had just bought a Northfield, and had already had a Lafferty Deluxe custom built with block inlays by Paul Schneider of Summit Mandolins. Both Paul and Audey build the Lafferty's for The Mandolin Store.

Mickey, I have been through quite a few mandolins to get to this one. Coincidentally I was on the fence between this one and a Summit mandolin. Both are quality mandolins but the block inlay and appointments put me over the edge. Of course I knew both would be high quality build and sound. I have been all over Nashville and surrounding area looking.

I didn't know Audey and Paul built the Lafferty's. For now my MAS is a bay (after having been through at least half a dozen mandolins). The two, yes only two, that I have now seem to be the only ones that have satisfied my desire. In my price range I believe I have found two great mandolins that IMO are worth near double the price paid. I also love that both are local builders that I can visit easily. as of now the only thing that would part me from these is the choice between them and feeding my wife and little girl. I can starve but I couldn't let them.

PS congrats on the Northfield. That was also one on my list before I pulled the trigger on this one.

[jim simpson]

Pretty one-piece back, I also like the headstock vine. I owned an early R5 many years ago. The build quality and details were 1st rate.

[Randi Gormley]

A gorgeous instrument. Congrats!

[d18daddy]

I have a '97 that I love. Congrats on the new mandolin!

[Brad Sicotte]

Stunning! Congratulations!

[SGraham]

I really like that graceful headstock inlay. Very classy.