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Dawg is also playing Saturday night, replacing Peter Rowan. Dawg, Danny Barnes and Sam Grisman in the Grand Ballroom.

I’m seriously considering a Pava. Could you describe how you feel the tone differs
between the Collings, Weber and Pava? Thanks!

Thanks for listening.

I hope it's OK to post this here. This is a link to a new album that my bluegrass band from Portland, OR just released. Please check it out if you'd like. There are song samples at the link. Thanks!...

I agree with some of the posts that discuss neck thickness as being a major difference between Eastmans and Loars.

For me, Loars in general, and my 520 in particular, have a thick neck which...

Stan was amazing. I had bought a Flatiron army/navy in 1980 from Mandolin Bros. and I was trying to figure out the exact age of the mandolin earlier this year. I phoned the store and gave a woman who...

I took Caleb up on his generous offer to give someone his extra Primetone pick. I played it for the first time tonight and was pretty impressed.

My mandolin sounds fuller and woodier but with no...

I play a "The Loar" 520. I hate the name but love the high quality mandolin vs others at the same price point. The name doesn't much matter to me anymore. In my hands it feels way better then any...

Caleb, I'd like to try that Primetone if there are no takers yet. I'll even send back one of my vintage late 70's generic extra heavy that I use. Sorry but I can't seem to figure out how to private...

I use a generic version of those. All white with no writing on them. I bought a gross of them in 1980 and have yet to run out. I've tried lots of different picks in that time but have not found one...

When I play barre chords, I think of barring the entire fret with my index finger, like a temporarily placed capo. That way I can use my other fingers in many different combinations for different...

I have a 520 and I love it. I'm a working musician and, for me, it is unquestionably the best bang for your buck. It typically holds it's own against many instruments worth 10x as much. Set up, as...

I know it's been said on this site a million times, but as a recent convert I have to chime in.
The single best, cost effective upgrade you can give your mandolin is getting Tonegard for it. It...

I'd suggest aiming the mic at the lower bout near where the neck meets the body in front of your picking hand. I seem to have much better luck there both on stage and in recording studios.

Plus one for The Loar 520. Mine compares favorably to some much more expensive instruments. Pro setup is key.

Hopefully the link will work this time.
http://youtu.be/OwyJyWWp44E

I was surprised that both the mandolin and guitar were using pickups on the show as opposed to mics. The guitar in particular had a pretty bad sound, very compressed with no air to it at all.

I...

I play a Loar 520 LM with a Fishman M100 replacement bridge pickup which has been perfectly fitted to my mando's top by an expert luthier who also set it up. For loud gigs (drums and electric...

Agreed, that was definitely not bluegrass. I recently saw Thile and Marshall play an amazing show. When I heard Nickel Creek was touring I was considering going, but most of their music leaves me...

Apple Music Row stocks The Loars, Breedloves and very few used vintage mandos. Old Town Music sometimes has older mandos and they have lots of vintage guitars if you like that sort of thing. Portland...

I prefer the Baggs Para acoustic DI. The five band eq and gain and volume controls tend to came in very handy. Mines a workhorse. I use it at lots of shows and it's always reliable, even after...

Try to play as many mandolins as you can. When I was shopping for an axe in about the same price range as you I found Eastmans tended to have a more delicate although pleasing sound, Kentucky's...

Bill, I was just playing. Maybe read the post next time?

A Ford F-150 extended cab.

Mandolin Bros. in Staten Island NY has been amazing for 40+ years.