I just got a new Lafferty LA-5W (A style, f holes, wide nut) from The Mandolin Store, and it is amazing! I have purchased several nice mandolins from Dennis over the years. Like a Custom Weber Bitterroot, Breedlove FF, Ratliff R5, and Kentucky KM-1000. These were all exceptional mandolins, and perfectly setup, but this Lafferty is in a whole other league. This model Lafferty is beautiful in it's simplicity. I love the dark brown. It almost looks vintage. And honestly, all of my other mandolins have been really sharp, snazzy mandolins, and have always had a scroll. So going to a somewhat conservative looking A style was quite a change for me. In fact, it would be fair to say I was a little hesitant. But Dennis told me that he thought this Lafferty sounded as good if not better than mandolins he has at three or four times the price, so I said, ok ship it. Fit and finish is impeccable as has been noted of the Lafferty's elsewhere on the Cafe. And I have to say that this Lafferty sounds better than any mandolin I have ever played, let alone owned. In the past I have had pickups installed and amped a couple of my mandolins, so that I could hear myself and be heard. But this Lafferty is so loud that I can hear and be heard acoustically. . . even when I am playing with a group including a solid body electric guitar and a banjo with a microphone through the pa. And the tone is awesome. Very woody, great lows, sweet trebles, and an amazing ear splitting bark when you want it. All of this, and it plays so easy. Well, needless to say, I am in love with this mandolin. No scroll, but it's really all about the sound, right? And this one has it in spades! It reminds me of a sleeper hot rod. . . you know, the kind that nobody really notices, and then it blows away the gorgeous high dollar exotic sports car. I still pick it up just to pick a little and make sure I am not dreaming. Do yourself a favor if you are in the market. . . call Dennis or Brian at The Mandolin Store and check out a Lafferty. Awesome mandolin, awesome service, awesome people! (NFI)
Bruce
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