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You might not. When I'm just gigging with one instrument, I go straight from instrument to Red-Eye to PA. The Fire-Eye folks have done all the fine tuning so I don't have to. And when it doubt,...

I don't gig too much anymore. I've installed JJB soundboard transducers (SBT's) in a whole bunch of instruments, including my mandolins, mandola, octave mandolins, mandocello, 4 fiddles, a ukulele,...

I was real frustrated with all the preamps I'd bought and unloaded. The several folks here recommended the Fire-Eye Red-Eye. They engineer all the fine-tuning in so you don't have to. Always sounds...

I hope you love the Kelley and that it is everything you want and need from an instrument!

I love this comment! I had a Bitterroot for a while, but it had too much of a bluegrass sound for my taste, so I sold it and bought a Yellowstone. There's something for everyone!

I think that...

Well, you made a great choice. Congratulations! They are all tremendous and it depends on your own taste and music style. Sight unseen, I would have said Collings, but I haven’t owned the other...

You'll love it.

And reach out to Skip to let him know. He's a great guy.

Of course the subject of tone is always subjective, but I disagree that the categories of "modern" and "traditional" tone have no meaning whatsoever. Regardless of the other variables and how many...

I had a Kelley that I sold to buy a concertina (long story). I have played a few Collings, but have never even seen a Northfield. I have played some Bitterroots too. The Kelley was head and...

I’d buy the Kelley. Besides the fact that I’m drawn to the work of independent builders, and Skip is a heckuva nice guy here on the Cafe, a used instrument should already have the depreciation taken...

In my personal opinion, under your criteria of equal pricing, I’d get the one from the solo builder. Then you have a unique piece of acoustic art:mandosmiley:

The NF5S has a mighty chop, volume, and a fundamental tone that cuts through well in ensemble playing. I think they shine in bluegrass settings but have the versatility to take on other styles as...

Haven't played a Kelly, so can't help there. A Collings will also have a more modern tone, although it's different than the Weber tone. The Northfield NF-5S is going to be closer to what you want....

My Kelley A5 is more traditional sounding than a Collings MT I used to own and other MTs I’ve played through the years. The Collings’ fit/finish was spectacular and it had great playability and...