Here is the ebay listing:https://www.ebay.com/itm/Feeling-Han...EAAOSwnMRdLecU
A thread began a while back about these Chinese made mandolins and this model was one that was featured. I had seen these mandolins and my interest was piqued so I bought one. It arrived in early August, and I have had six weeks to get to terms with it.
Here is the original thread: https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...nese-mandolins
My first impression was that it was well built. Once I had set it up- it arrived with the bridge taken off in a very well packaged container, I was very impressed with both the tone and the volume and ease of play and its intonation. At fret 12 under the G strings I have a gap of 1.5mm and this gives buzz free playing all the way up the neck. The mandolin arrived with a gig bag with an extra set of strings and a strap and truss rod key and picks.
Before dispatch, I was sent a series of photos of my mandolin and it is worth mentioning that there are detail differences to the one shown in the eBay listing. My mandolin has 24 frets and a distinct volute- neither of which changes is of importance to me. I was told (from memory) that there are two makers and they may do things slightly differently to each other. Obviously, you need to check the photos if you have concerns before the mandolin is sent. I suggested to the marketing person who told me that my mandolin was now typical of those that were being made, that perhaps the listing's photos might be changed. Again, this was not an issue for me- but it is worth considering as for some this may be an issue.
The bridge is a typical example and it sits well on the top while the hardware is nothing special but works well- as indeed things tend to do, as quality of such items is usually pretty good, these days. The mandolin keeps tune very well subject to temperature change.The bone nut seems to be well cut while the build quality seems very good all round while the inside is very clean and well finished.
I took the mandolin to my regular bluegrass pick on two occasions and the leader of the session- a very seasoned bluegrass player described it as a "very good instrument". Indeed, I reckon it sounds nearly as good as my 1923 Gibson A2 which being an oval hole mandolin arguably has more voice than an f hole instrument, and is my paragon for mandolin sound. The mandolin cost £290 ($358) with free shipping and for an extra $9 there is another model that is varnished and has "bronzed" hardware. There is a whole range of mandolins and mandolas- some a lot less expensive while $1650 appears to be the top end. This is the most expensive f hole A style mandolin before you go into the F models- some being less expensive while the top model is double this model's price.
I have also taken the mandolin to my massively experienced maker/repairer and his opinion was extremely positive. He said that having a volute- as on my mandolin was definitely advantageous in terms of greater strength where the neck is weakened by the truss rod adjustment cavity. It was mentioned in the other thread that the truss rod in this instrument was "one way" which he said was not significant in a mandolin- two way would suit a mandola- or any instrument with a longer neck. He observed that the build quality was extremely good as was the overall finish. The nut was well made, the bridge sat really well on the top which was carved- presumably by machine. He was not sure if the back was carved but that is less significant. He liked the hardware and he thought the tone and volume was really great. He had nothing but praise for the mandolin and said that the American makers were really in for serious competition now that Chinese makers were buying really good wood. He said it represented outstanding value at the price quoted.
To conclude, I am very pleased with this mandolin. I would say to anyone considering buying one, that like anything mail order that you cannot see, hold and play, you need to satisfy yourself with the instrument you are buying. I would hope that the quality control is such that there is a minimum of variability although as pointed out, the mandolin I have received was a little different to the one featured. I have pretty much made this my regular instrument- not least because I want to play it in although it was great from day one after the usual fiddling with the bridge etc. I had no other jobs to do other than siting and adjusting the bridge height. All in all, this has been a very positive experience and to conclude, it does sound a little better than my Loar LM520 VS which is a good instrument- although there is always a bit of subjectivity in such a statement.
Here are some photos- not great of my mandolin. Obviously, the eBay listing(s) show more but remember that mine had a few detail differences.
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