View Full Version : Mahogony Dearstone at Fiddlers Green.
Frank Farley
Sep-24-2013, 1:51pm
Has anyone played the used Mahogony D1A Dearstone F style mandolin at Fiddlers Green? I'm kind of intrigued by it. If anyone's knows anything about it I would appreciate some information about it, tone, volume, playability exe.....Thanks.
Capt. E
Sep-24-2013, 4:54pm
I know I played it briefly, but for the life of me, I really don't remember what I thought. I was enamored by a Pava at the time.
I do remember the distressed KM-1000 they have hanging up...a very nice banjo killer with very nice upgrades. One of the best playing KM-1000's I have tried. It's just that fake distressing just isn't my cup of tea.
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Maybe I'll go by tomorrow and check out the Dearstone again.
Frank Farley
Sep-24-2013, 9:10pm
Would be much appreciated Capt.E. thanks!
Marty Jacobson
Sep-24-2013, 9:34pm
Wow, a mahogany top? Wait, sorry, I misread it. It is a spruce top.
I've played some of Ray's redwood topped instruments, which were excellent.
107236
Frank Farley
Sep-24-2013, 11:17pm
That is the reason for asking,as I too have played a few of his mandos and even owned an A style of his but never heard one of his With mahogany for the back and sides.
Capt. E
Sep-25-2013, 3:09pm
Just got back from testing it out... Keep in mind, I am no deeply knowledgable "expert". I do my best
It has a flat fretboard (which I like); the neck is 1 1/16" and feels very nice. The relatively simple headstock and scroll design is nicely carved and the whole instrument, seems well made. It is heavier than most of the mandolins on the wall at Fidders (about the same as the Eastmans). The greater mass of the instrument probably affects the tone. Not sure.
As you would expect with a mahogany body, it has a "woody" tone. Very nice loud bark with an excellent low end (of course both my favorite mandolins at home also have mahogany bodies and I also like flat fretboards). I am not sure I would call it a bluegrass instrument, but I wouldn't mind owning it.
I compared it to a couple of others: a Northfield F5-S ($2695) and a Kentucky KM-900 ($1066). I liked it better than the Kentucky and about as much as the Northfield. Personally, I thought the Northfield was prettier (if that matters) and has a brighter tone.
Frank Farley
Sep-25-2013, 7:56pm
Thanks for checking it out for me and the great description. You have been very helpful indeed.
I played that mandolin today. Only briefly, though. And I was trying to hear it over the obnoxious fiddle player in the next room. To me, this mandolin did not have any bark at all. It was very muted sounding. Had a nice tone for melody playing, but just no chop.
It has a serial number of 005, made on July 30, 1999. Condition is pretty rough, with lots of deep pick marks through the finish and the finish is coming off the back of the neck. Bridge is leaning very badly and is not properly shaped to the top, which probably is why it didn't have very impressive sound. Might be a whole 'nother instrument with some bridge work. Or a new bridge entirely, since that one looked pretty chunky and heavy.
The neck join looked crude to me, and the details at the scroll were crude too. For the price it's listed at, I'd probably pass. But my tastes are not necessarily reflective of yours. YMMV!
dmwinc
Jan-11-2016, 8:37am
Just a note to let everyone know that this mando is NOT mahogany.
Ray Dearstone
MikeEdgerton
Jan-11-2016, 10:52am
I believe this is the ad copy and images for this mandolin.
USED Dearstone
D1-A
This is an awesome and unusual mandolin for a great price. Made in 1999. Serial number 005. Some signs of wear but in great condition with no cracks or repairs. Spruce top, Maple back and sides, Ivoroid binding on top, Flat ebony fingerboard, ebony bridge, cast tailpiece, with hardshell case
$2950
Willie Poole
Jan-11-2016, 11:29am
Just looking at those photos why would anyone think or say it has mahogany back and sides? No dark color that I can see...Mr Dearstone put it straight....