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Thread: Another Dusty Strings visit!

  1. #1
    Worlds ok-ist mando playr Zach Wilson's Avatar
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    Default Another Dusty Strings visit!

    I thought I'd share a report (thoughts/impressions) on my last stop visit to Dusty Strings in Seattle, which is my favorite music store for a number or reasons.

    I had a Friday off and decided to drive up there to sample a couple mandolins. I know my Christmas bonus is right around the corner and its burning a MAS sized hold in my pocket!

    I was once again very impressed by the stores mando inventory. I was able to play a couple Eastmans, including an Oval I've been interested in (it sounded thin), a few Webers (the Oval Bitterroot was excellent... more thick), a Collings or two, a couple 20s Gibsons, which were beautiful and lots of fun, an Andersen (local guitar builder), a Larrivee (it was probably my favorite one there that day) and a Sawchyn (!!!! That thing was sweet.... and loud!!!).... plus more (including a Northfield and a couple Kentuckys).

    All the instruments there were ridiculous sweet!!! But, surprisingly enough the best Mandolin I played that day was the Weber I own at home... It's odd, but I think I'm content... for now.

    So, what do I do with that Christmas bonus??? I'm thinking about getting a pickup installed in the Weber and putting some $ away for next time.
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  3. #2
    Mandolin user MontanaMatt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Another Dusty Strings visit!

    Get that pickup and a Tonedexter
    2007 Weber Custom Elite "old wood"
    2017 Ratliff R5 Custom #1148
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    2007 Martin 000-15S 12 fret Auditorium-slot head
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    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Another Dusty Strings visit!

    Ooh, an Andersen? Tempting to get one to go with my mandocello.
    Emando.com: More than you wanted to know about electric mandolins.

    Notorious: My Celtic CD--listen & buy!

    Lyon & Healy • Wood • Thormahlen • Andersen • Bacorn • Yanuziello • Fender • National • Gibson • Franke • Fuchs • Aceto • Three Hungry Pit Bulls

  5. #4
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    Default Re: Another Dusty Strings visit!

    Dusty Strings is such a great shop!
    I'm a fan of the Sawchyn Beavertail mandolins. Best flattops made, in my opinion.

  6. #5
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Another Dusty Strings visit!

    I really love that store. I have purchased a few great instruments there and for a decent price.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
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  7. #6
    Registered User Willem's Avatar
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    Default Re: Another Dusty Strings visit!

    I was in in there on November 3rd. I played almost all of the mandolins and a couple things stood out. The NF Big Mon, which they bordered on hard selling, was really just ok. The stand-outs to me were a Weber 2pt and a Collings MT. Not sure how much inventory has changed in just a couple weeks, but I believe I watched an older gentleman playing the same Eastman oval you referenced. Even with a really good picker it sounded tinny. The most important thing I left with, much like you, was continued contentedness with my current Morris.

  8. #7
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    Default Re: Another Dusty Strings visit!

    Excellent trip report! That Larrivee has a nice singing tone but... unfortunate scroll. Also good selection of Wegens and caseine picks (I think they're from happyturtlepick.de)

    Here's the lineup tho they don't always put all instruments up: https://store.dustystrings.com/c-7-mandolin-family.aspx

    (Fiddlers can jumnp on the 44 bus to David Stone or Lasley Violins to make a day of it, all really good shops)
    Kentucky km900
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  9. #8
    Worlds ok-ist mando playr Zach Wilson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Another Dusty Strings visit!

    Quote Originally Posted by gtani7 View Post
    Also good selection of Wegens and caseine picks (I think they're from happyturtlepick.de)
    Ha! I actually bought a Wegen TF140 during the visit!

  10. #9
    Worlds ok-ist mando playr Zach Wilson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Another Dusty Strings visit!

    Quote Originally Posted by Willem View Post
    I was in in there on November 3rd. I played almost all of the mandolins and a couple things stood out. The NF Big Mon, which they bordered on hard selling, was really just ok. The stand-outs to me were a Weber 2pt and a Collings MT. Not sure how much inventory has changed in just a couple weeks, but I believe I watched an older gentleman playing the same Eastman oval you referenced. Even with a really good picker it sounded tinny.
    I played the 2pt as well. It sounded the most like mine. I should have checked the serial number.

    Concerning the Eastman... I agree completely! It was tinny. This time I played it before trying the more expensive models too.

  11. #10
    Worlds ok-ist mando playr Zach Wilson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Another Dusty Strings visit!

    Quote Originally Posted by colorado_al View Post
    Dusty Strings is such a great shop!
    I'm a fan of the Sawchyn Beavertail mandolins. Best flattops made, in my opinion.
    It was definitely the loudest! I liked it too. They had a Red Valley EM like mine and it blew it out of the water as far as volume goes. The tone is bright and the shape (pancake) is neat.

  12. #11

    Default Re: Another Dusty Strings visit!

    I've found in a very small, very unscientific survey, that most imports do tend to sound better after they have been played for a while, but the wise Frank Ford once told me never to buy based on what you think it will someday sound like.
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  13. #12
    Registered User Willem's Avatar
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    Default Re: Another Dusty Strings visit!

    [QUOTE=Zach Wilson;1687113]I played the 2pt as well. It sounded the most like mine. I should have checked the serial number.

    I would say you are in pretty good shape then. I particularly enjoyed that one. I didn't check the serial number, but I did inquire about when it was made because it was signed by Bruce. They said it was new in 2016.

  14. #13
    Worlds ok-ist mando playr Zach Wilson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Another Dusty Strings visit!

    Quote Originally Posted by Willem View Post
    I would say you are in pretty good shape then. I particularly enjoyed that one. I didn't check the serial number, but I did inquire about when it was made because it was signed by Bruce. They said it was new in 2016.
    It's been a fantastic instrument in every way! I'm still very grateful to Dennis at TMS for it!

    Mines a 15, signed by Bruce... April I think (cant remember off the top of my head).

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