A 9

[Joe Mangio]

Sometime ago a gentleman was kind enough to send me a PM with the name and address of a music store in upstate New York that was selling the A-9 mandolin for around 950.00. Will that Gent or anyone that has this info please send it my way.
Thanks Joe

[gretschbigsby]

Wow that's a deal... They go for around $1100-1200, don't they?

[weathermandolin]

I believe someone said in a previous post that a price that low for an A-9 approaches insanity.

[Dioptase]

House of Guitars in Rochester NY.

I called them, and I've never been treated so rudely by any salesperson. I asked him the price and he said "Around 1000$" I called back the next day, and I think I got the same salesperson who quoted "995$" and dismissed me without the option of asking a question.

Even if the price they quoted was accurate... I didn't feel I could give them my business after that treatment. Maybe I'm just ornery, but I chose to buy a used instrument from a very helpful and patient seller.
Micah

[Dioptase]

Oh, he didn't just quote $995. He expelled a huff of air as though I were wasting his most valuable moment.

All I know is that I wouldn't trust them to buy one sight unseen. Call them and see how you're treated. If it's anything like I was treated... well, it made sense to me to spend 100$ more and go through a dealer I trust or spend 125$ less on a used instrument.
Micah

[Greenmando]

I paid $900 shipped for my A9 with hard case off the classifieds here. Used but in super shape. Looked like it had never been played.

Great flame!

[delsbrother]

Tom, you Dawg! I was wondering who snagged that! Now I wish I had; looks great.

[Greenmando]

She is sweet! My wife is now playing the Flatiron Festival F
The A9 feels so nice under my fingertips, if this is what the F9 and better plays like, I know what I will be buying next. The notes come clean and fret well.
We were at a gig at x-mas with a bunch of old Gibson A ovals, F4's and F2's and everyone thought she was old as well. Blew everyone away to see she was so young.

[Frank Russell]

Yep, when I was looking recently, I called the same place on the same tip, and was told $1050 and received the same exact crappy attitude. I got mine for closer to $950 by cruising eBay and the Cafe. It is excellent. Frank

[Joe Mangio]

Thanks guys, I spoke with Andy (store owner) today. He quoted me 975+25 shipping same day delivery.

[steadypluckinaway]

How do you guys like that skinny neck? I read somewhere that the nut width is 15/16". How's she feel?

I think it's 1 1/8" @ the nut......

[Greenmando]

Mine measures 1 1/16" @ nut

[doanepoole]

I really like the tone of A-9s, very consistent with the Gibson sound.

My only problem is its a bit harder to play for me because of the tiny fretwire.

I wonder if there are players that actually prefer that size fretwire?

Also, does fretwire that small wear out quicker?

[BigJoe]

Most of the pros like the smaller fretwire. Few like the larger fret wire. It does not wear out any faster. The instrument actually intonates better with the smaller wire. The only thing I hate about my Bush is the big fretwire. Just personal preference.

[mandoryan]

BigJoe,
Why don't you refret, seeing that you work at a pretty good instrument repair place...
If it's too much of a problem for ya, I could take it off your hands....

[Greenmando]

I think Big Joe just posted on a thread in the last few days about Gibson doing refret jobs. If I remember it was in the $300 to $350 range.