So I recently purchased a Big Muddy Mandolin for $830 from Mike Dulak down in Rocheport Missouri. I wanted to describe my experiences for all to hear.
So here goes:
I contacted mike before hand to to inquire about the radius fret-board option. I wanted to know if they were a 12 inch radius. He told me that he uses dead flat fret boards as standard, and radius costed an extra $80, and that they were indeed 12 inch. So I put in an order for a Big Muddy M-2 (spruce top, maple back and sides) with a radius fret board. As mike was building it he sent snapshots of the progress, which was a very nice treat because it made me feel included in the process. As mike was finishing the mando he also mentioned to me that he threw in an Adirondack red spruce top, instead of the Engleman spruce he uses as standard. I googled Adirondack and apparently it is a more expensive higher quality type of spruce! I was very pleased with this wonderful gesture! After about a week and a half (because he was working on other orders) my Big Muddy arrived!
I purchased the rubber grommets, strap, and case seperately.
This is by far the nicest mando I've ever played, and it feels very high quality in the hands. No doubt I will treasure this instrument forever! I also want to mention that mike is a pleasure to speak with (communicated through email) as he always cracks witty jokes! This was by far the most special experience I've had buying an instrument, and wanted to pass this on to other mandolin players!
(and no, he didn't pay me to say this, I'm genuinely satisfied!)
Mike's Website: http://www.bigmuddymandolin.com/
Mike's Email: swingdog@bigmuddymandolin.com
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