hopefully by the weekend i'll have some first hand discussion for you. ironically, i had been looking at a really nice satin finish Pava that Sylvan has(they just got in 4 i think-one high flame blonde sold in a day-all A style). that Pava is a looker and i spoke with one of the staff and they said they were all very close in tone, played 3 of them over the phone and the one i picked out tone wise was the satin-ever so slightly more woody sound. but i knew i would reshape the neck if i did get one(do you still have the brown satin-wish i had kept that one all these years-lol). so i thought a lot about things, pretty much set on this will be my last mando purchase-no joke-no fingers crossed. i'm fine with what i have, that prototype oval hole is amazing, the two Webers fit me great and sound beautiful. what i thought would be a welcome addition would be something with a rich old flavor and a flat board. the webers have all the "modern" aspects and what i consider a more modern tone, lots of sustain and fit in very well with what i enjoy playing. but i've always, ever since i heard the first one, been drawn towards a Duff and Heiden. I had around $5300 and could have went upwards to $7000 but did not want to go past the low range. i have some other things i want to get involved in(long bow archery, wood carving and shell inlay) and need the other $ for those. i also have one of these on order with Beard and its about 6 months out(i've got into dobro and lap steel a lot the past 2 years). this is my last music instrument i'll be buying:
i recently retired, on the fixed income ride these days, so i'm watching what i spend and how. this past year has been a whirlwind due to the pandemic and i've picked up a lot of instruments i've wanted for some time, very lucky in getting some really good deals on used ones that are golden. i do need to let loose of some banjos(acquired 11...maybe 12, but i'm looking around and seeing 14 cases and for the life of me cannot remember what banjo is in two of them-thats really bad). sorry for the long story, its stress relief for me. so i didn't pursue the Pava, but my goodness the thing is a beauty and only $2900-somebody jump on it, its a good one, satin burst with brilliant flame woods. ah, here it is in the classifieds:
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/181418#181418
and this natural with birdseye had my eye also: https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/181415#181415
but, i kinda sorta have these types of mandolin already in the webers(fern F, and natural 2 prong). no matter how much my eyes wanted me to get either of those, i knew my search was towards the "old school" tone with short decay, rich fundamental notes, flat board, etc i'm hoping to start some lesson plans towards Monroe style with either Compton at Peghead or Murphy. figured this would be the bomb for such an adventure. i went straight to CV website and saw the used 2020 for $5250 and the new one for $6050-has a pickup which i don't need or want, evo frets-which are fine but that doesn't imprint on me as i can do any fretwork i need on anything i have. i don't have a heavy fretting hand so standard frets last me forever it seems.
called and spoke with a brilliant young lady by the name of Mikayla(spelling?). i will say it has been a pleasure to do business with Carter Vintage-irregardless if the Duff works out for me or not. i had questons on the specs/fret size differences and metallurgy, tone, feel in the hand, and if the consigned owner would accept my offer i made. she gave me answers quickly and exact. first thing she said, "hold on and let me get both mandolins in hand so i can tell you about them and play them for you. that was excellent!
her diagnosis, both felt the same, both sounded for the most part identical, both played with an easy touch and gave prominent tone. played over the phone, i couldn't tell the difference. she then got another staff member who plays mandolin better(she was a fiddler and guitar player), had him play and again, no difference and both had fine tone. he also agreed both had very easy action and were well set up. he also mentioned the neck felt extremely easy to play with both, and you didn't have to pick hard to get max tone.
the owner accepted my offer, and as i finished out the sale today, Mikayla mentioned, "oh yea, this used one has a brand new calton case with strap." and although i don't need a calton, i've never owned one so it will be interesting to see and have one around. if i don't want it i can always sell it at a decent price and regain a little of my purchase cost. if its one of the splatter colors..........i might have to keep that. especially if its white or black with all those colors splashed all over, i think those look cool.
when i jumped on the CV website today to save the pictures i posted of it, i saw they just posted another Duff A, 2021. nice flame wood, gold hardware, looks kinda higher grade appointments, i think it was $5450.
https://cartervintage.com/collection...s/duff-a5-2021
i get the feeling its going to fit me well and work out fine. if its something like the neck needs a little change i will reshape that. i'm excited to finally get my hands on one of these. i will probably remove the pickguard rather quickly if its kept, i've never needed those and usually don't care for the extra stuff attached. i'll let you know what i think in a few days.
hope all is well with you and the family
d
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