Hello good people. Just received my Northfield Calhoun Wide Neck from Gryphon.
Gryphon did an excellent job.
I am not a mandolin player. Can play a little guitar, have a couple.
I've a weak left (fretting) hand and mandolins torment me.
Had the obligatory A-type plywood import a dozen years back & gave it away.
Sold the lovely Breedlove Crossover I purchased here a few years back
(great seller, great deal, very nice instrument) cause it was too painful.
Then I realized I was 'uncomfortable' without a mandolin.
I have some experience of tall frets and light strings on my guitar.
Gryphon said the Calhoun's frets stand .050" tall from the fretboard.
My micrometer says more like .055" and my calipers indicate a little less
than .050" wide. The Calhoun comes set up (perfectly) with a light string set.
This makes the Calhoun an enjoyable struggle and allows me to do more
than those other instruments so I'll learn to do what I can and skip the
painful bits. A mandolinist pal is helpful in reminding me that a mandolin
is NOT a guitar and to take a different approach.
I wanted to contribute the info about the fret height because I suspected it
from images but could not find it specified.
If you can squeeze out the $ I think the Calhoun is worth the premium you pay
for an American-made instrument. It was a squeeze for me.
I am happy with the Calhoun, happy with Gryphon and happy to be here.
Thank you,
thumbknuckle
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