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People tend to forget, it wasn't long ago that these instruments were boards lying in a stack. It takes a while for them to acclimate and get used to being strung up. Play the snot out of it. If...

I started three years ago, and well over the age of 40. I play as good, if not better than the folks that I have met at fiddle gatherings who have been playing several decades. So, it's not about...

They are great friends. Patty is a great Metis fiddler. Canada is home to some great fiddle players, great camps, etc. The government actually sponsors programs. In fact Patty flies out to a...

As per the Cafe Classifieds, TMS just got some in stock. As for used, you might be better off taking the plunge and buying a new one. I think I can count on one hand the number of used ones I’ve seen...

Most teachers do internet lessons. One person I’d love to take a few lessons from is Donna Turk. She lives in western Canada I believe, but she has the smoothest bow arm I have ever seen. She...

My teacher is a touring musician, so lessons are spotty, but I learn more in ten minutes from her than I could learn online or on my own. She is classically trained but toured as a founding member...

After 16 years we switched to Malamutes. That’s my baby in the pic. She’s a puppy there, but is now four. Her sister is 8. Rambunctious but easier to train. We had a male, but lost him last year...

Three years in, still going. Find a good teacher. Buy a good bow, and have your fiddle set up by a professional.

Stock MT2O's come with Adirondack tops, as do the stock MFO's.

I had to laugh at the husky comment. I had huskies for 16 years, and they are an acquired taste, and really require an owner of a...

Don’t forget the duties and taxes. I bought Robson tuners a while back, and by the time I paid the duties and taxes, there was no savings. These are also metric scale, so you need to use the...

If you are looking for something cheaper, the Alessi’s are not the solution.

Mine is 3115, very early.

Joe, give it some time, play it in, maybe while you are waiting for the top to break in try some Monel strings or Curt Mangan string (lower tension). Enjoy it!

Red spruce on an MT2 oval will give you more volume. The tone will be more fundamental sounding, and more direct. Somewhere in between is Italian spruce, which is my personal preference on an MT2...

Sometimes there's a reason why designs need to evolve.

But he may not be taking on new clients or want to get involved in warranty work at this stage of the game.

Generally, they will direct you to someone they have used previously. And an FYI, Lou Stiver is well into his eighties now. I’m not sure how much repair work or building he is doing.

Tyler Unger...

Collings has a limited number of luthiers they will authorize to do their warranty work

No, it isn’t the fact that it was bought new, it’s the fact that it’s a Collings. I have seen them make things right on any instrument they make, regardless if you are the original owner. If they...

Having played both, I would take the Collings home. Sweet sounding, plenty of volume and with a bit more presence.

Did the mandolin come with a James tailpiece, or did you install this yourself?

Lou Stiver does all the mandolin work for Acoustic Music Works in Pittsburgh. You might call there also and see if they have anyone else they can recommend.

I’ll second the emotion on the flattop Northfield. They are hard to find, and maybe that’s why. You see batches of them being made and none in shops (at least not for long anyway).

Condition is going to dictate the resale.

Tom, I’m referring to the one I have which was in the first batch to come out of Austin. But if anyone is expecting the same neck as you’d find on an MT, they are going to be disappointed.