Originally Posted by
carlsonp
Hi All:
I resonated with the thoughts of the OP. It's a very, very small issue in the scheme of things, to be sure, but I also took in my mandolin on March 16 for some fretwork. It's a Northfield Artist, 5 bar model with lots of punch, volume, and a gorgeous tone. It certainly hung with the high end instruments I've sampled at Carters and elsewhere. That said, many frets were worn to the point of not being able to intonate correctly anymore (I've had it for 4 years and now use a much lighter touch, although when learning new pieces and riffs, I find I still press down far too hard).
The music shop I took it to was kind enough to give me a loner instrument, a Kentucky 850. I think it was hanging in their shop for many, many years. After changing the dead strings and adjusting the bridge, the tone is certainly decent, but it still has awful intonation. I'd love to apply Rob's set up tricks to it, but don't want to do that that a 'new' instrument that isn't mine. For me, anyway, the small (and unlevel) fret wire on this instrument certainly makes it more difficult to play beautifully. I'm playing it 2-4 hours/day and have been very grateful to have an instrument at this time.
All that said, with my NF unavailable for likely at least another month, I confess to shopping the classifieds for a really nice A instrument, preferably used, especially in the Girouard/Pava line, as it really seems they've excellent value in that $2-3k range. If it's a long-term keeper, great. If not, I'd be OK with that too. If the mando market tanks, as I expect it to with the economic fallout to come, I'm fine with that loss in value as the price of having really nice instrument during this time and beyond.
Have you played any of the Pava or Girouard A's at Sylvan, Br1ck (I'm not certain if they can ship right now)? Anyone else sampled these makes from TMS, The Music Emporium of elsewhere? I'd certainly consider other makes too if they could be shipped. Again, used would be preferred, although I'd consider new as well. I don't have a specific required voicing for this purchase - more modern vs traditional, midrangy vs stronger bottom, etc. - but want it to have 'it'..... you know, where a light touch still gives volume, of how you can 'feel' the air puff out the F holes on a chop chord. Looking F holes only and instruments that could actually be shipped right now. I'd love to hear suggestions.
I don't ever really post, but I'm deeply appreciative of this community, now more than ever.
Peter
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