I just have to give some props to Micah Bruce of Bruce and Sons Stringed Instruments. I was badly in need of a setup and was hoping to get some other work done and a local shop (where I bought my Collings MT2) recommended I get in touch with Micah.
Not exactly a lot of shops in the area that can do a decent job with a mando. At least none that I have found! My local mando playing friend took his mando to Kansas City to get some work done last year; at the time we had a discussion how difficult it is to hand someone your (relatively expensive) instrument when you aren't confident they know how to work on a mando. When I found out Micah worked for Collings for a few years and with John Allison for a few years I had to check out his shop.
So last week I emailed from the site and in the morning I had a response. Long story short he did a setup, a speed neck, and added a second side dot at the 12th fret for me. Very happy with the playability, the setup may be the best I have had. The speed neck looks and feels great! Aside from the slight asymmetry (due to the placement of the original dot) it is difficult to tell the second dot at the 12th fret wasn't from the factory.
I brought in my Northfield octave mandolin and he put in a K and K pickup in it for me. I then left my Weber Bighorn with him for a refret and to get a K and K also. Needless to say I was impressed with his work!
I just wanted to help out anyone in the area who hasn't heard of Bruce and Sons,
and THANKS to Micah for doing good work!
NFI. Life is too short to play without a good setup.
Dan G.
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