Well here's my recent experience at Gryphon. There you will find basically a lot of Eastmans, a fine selection of Collings, and usually at least a Northfield F 5S and a Big Mon. Then whatever trade in or consignment instruments, and often none of those. So I was able to hold and play a variety of Collings and Northfields. Now I think there is good reason for Gryphon to stock those brands. Experience has probably shown them what they can typically sell, and they know their instruments and have picked to focus on Collings because of a very long relationship, and Frank Ford, a mandolinest himself, thinks they are fabulous.
At any given time they might have five or six Collings F style mandolins. So I was able to play those and the Northfields, set up to a high standard. I actually like the brighter F5S than the Big Mon. But I like the more upscale looks of the Big Mon. But I liked a few of the Collings better, but at what cost? Thousands. So it puts one in a quandry to know this. It is in many ways harder.
The online experience gets you a mandolin you can send back if you want. Truth is, any Northridge or Collings would be a joy to own. Are we better off just being happy with that? But you might just like the Big Mon, and happily save several thousands of dollars over a Collings to boot.
But taking a chance on a Silverangel worked splendidly for me. Much as I lust to go to Nashville, I'd dread falling in love with something I couldn't afford. In someways ignorance is bliss, but then experience is knowledge. Then there is the repugnant to me notion of buying online to save the 9% tax buying local would cost, therefore not supporting a fabulous store.
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