Yesterday was quite a day. I had ordered an 8 string resonator guitar from Gregg McKenna some time back and, as the stars would have it, both it and Walt's new cutaway OM arrived off the same UPS truck.

The bottom line is that I am quite pleased with both instruments. The OM was a renewed effort to feel comfortable with a longer scale mandolin sound. My previous instrument was too long for me to feel comfortable playing without making adjustments that I simply didn't want to make. I sold it after a couple of years of having it sit too long in the case.

I decided to try Walt Kuhlman's instrument for two reasons. It has a shorter scale and it looked to be designed and constructed with thought and care. In addition, Walt's matching of of woods/binding appealed to me. In addition, Ted Eschliman's review of Gypsy's instruments was just enough to put me over the decision edge. It was good advice.

The fit and finish are finely done. The tone captures what I envision the sound of an octave Mandolin to be. I played three Bach pieces (all of which I can reach without contorting or otherwise hurting) last night and the sound takes me back to a time long before I ever existed. The neck feels like it was designed for my hand and the instrument is well balanced (my last OM had serious nose dive tendencies).

The Gypsy is a great value and a keeper. Pictures and other impressions will follow.

The McKenna 8 string is a cannon, but that's a story for another forum.