Duff mandolins

[JimRichter]

Howdy all

I used to own a very nice Duff F5 a couple years back. #It was a 2000 (number 63 or around there), X-braced, varnish finish, etc. #It was nice, but as most do, I moved to something else.

Last night I had the great pleasure of meeting Paul Duff in person and picking with him for quite awhile. #If you've met him, you know he is a very nice, unassuming guy.

Any case, the point of this thread is that Paul seems to have revamped his mandolin building and is making one helluva mandolin. #He says he almost exclusively makes tone bar instruments now and what I played was incredible. #Lots of volume, clear/strong midrange. And, it was only 5 days old! Excellent fit and finish (which was the case previously). #He's now doing a lot darker (than his previous finishes) Loar-type finish. #I think Paul is really hitting his stride as a builder and would highly recommend his mandolins. #He's taking orders (either directly or through Tony Williamson) and is only about a year out in his waiting list.

I've got no dog in this fight as I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Kimble man. #But having admired Paul's work and having been an owner, I can't say enough good things about what I played last night.

Jim

[f5joe]

Yes, he's one nice bloke. My 2003 Duff has tone bars and the newer finish. Oh, the tone is fantastic.

I'm looking forward to seeing Paul at IBMA soon!

[jim_n_virginia]

Saw a Duff in action in a pickin circle at night at a bluegrass festival a while back and I gotta say it sounded fantastic! The picker was dang good too but that mando had a chop you could hear walking up the road.

I'd LOVE to own a Duff mando!

[Scotti Adams]

Jim..the last I seen of your old Duff was at the Guitar Center in Cincy...pretty good mando..but for what they were wanting for it you could have ordered a new one.

[bradeinhorn]

guitar center in manhattan has one too i think...unless it was moved to cincy store?

[jjboone101]

I had an earlier one that sounded really great, although the fit and finish were a bit rough. One of those I sold that I'd like to have back...

[Scotti Adams]

..If Im not mistaken..I think Jims Duff went straight from Indy to the Cincy store...for all I know its still there.

[kyblue]

Paul just called, said he's in Lexington and offered to take a look at my mandolin. I emailed him a few weeks ago to let him know that I had subjected it to some heat stress, and hoped that there was no damage other than a new 'distressed' look. <sigh>

He said he's on his way to Bean Blossom in a couple of days but could take a look today or tomorrow.

Now, I have my fingers crossed that everything is o.k. It still sounds good! So, hopefully no great harm done.

I'm looking forward to seeing and hearing one of the new ones that Jim speaks about above. I don't think Paul could outdo what he did with mine, but I'd love to hear it if he has!

I didn't buy mine from Paul, but he certainly has been responsive to questions and quick to offer help.

I've been very fortunate to work with some small builders that have been really great, and that I would highly recommend to anyone - Paul Duff, John Hamlett, Fletcher Brock, Will Kimble (one day, maybe I'll have a Kimble, so far it only has been repair work.) Everyone, help me keep these guys in business! Unfortunately, my funds are limited <bigger sigh>

Paula

p.s. Paul will be at IBMA Fan Fest, and there will be a gathering in my room at the Ren at some point. Stay tuned.

[JimRichter]

Well, gee, if Paul is heading up to Bean Blossom, I ought to try to hook up with him again. It was a blast picking his mind and picking with him.

Jim

[kyblue]

Paul said no harm done, except to the looks. His buddy Gerry had a Duff with a matte finish that he was playing, and he kept flashing it at me to remind me what mine would still look like if I hadn't been careless (ouch.)

Paul was pleased at how well the mando had developed. He said he didn't think it had been played much before I got it, so he was a bit surprised.

Don't leave your mandolins in your trunk during the heat of the day! You will be very lucky if they only look distressed after the experience.

[kyblue]

when you selling that 2-point to me

When I lose one of my hands, or the rest of my mind ...

[Aehle]

www.musicfolk.com in St. Louis has a recent fern Duff for sale for under 5K.

I also own a Dec. 04 Duff. I suppose it has the tone bars that you are all talking about. It is a beautiful mandolin and the sound is great. Radiused fretboard, varnish finish and red spruce top.

[John Gardinsky]

Jim ain't a lyin. #I had the pleasure of playing it too and it was exceptional. #Paul was a genuinely nice fella and you could tell he had done his homework. #It was a good thing I didn't have a 7000 dollar bill on me at the time. #That mando was a dandy. #Taurodont

[Hoosierpred]

In these here parts, we don't play Duffs, we play Fudds. #

(Sorry for the obscure Simpsons beer reference. #Everyone I know likes Duff mandos, but I just can't help getting the association in my mind everytime someone mentions them)

VBG

[Tom C]

Oh yeahhhh! Duff man says "Go For It"