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I don't own a Collings MTO so this can be taken with several grains of salt. With my 1916 F-4 I have tried many types of strings including TI mittels and have settled on D'Addario EFW-74 flat wound...

...And so long 2020... good riddance :grin:

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

She's looking great Englishman!! I like the looks of the all yellow for an electric but the burst will be nice too.

Regards,
Len B.
Cleawater, FL

A picture is worth a thousand words...190827190828

OK, that two thousand words worth ;)

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

I would also check to see if the pickup/control cavities are shielded (copper foil) and grounded otherwise in agreement with Andrew's suggestions above.

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

While it's a good idea to humidify (instrument in the case or the whole house) during the winter, I agree with BrianWilliam that your finish is "settling" or offgassing and sinking into the grain of...

Thanks Ray, I sit corrected ;)

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

Several years ago, Pete Langdell (of Rigel Instruments fame) built a L + H style A reproduction that included the violin scroll and custom tail piece. It is a very fine and faithful repro that went...

"Replicate" may be a bit too generous Allen. Mimic or allude to perhaps? I have the Ibenez version of this mandolin but it's in need of some major repair work. I bought it because I loved that red...

The back is absolutely gorgeous!! I have no experience with walnut as a back/sides wood, but you've gotten some good above.

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

The right hand spacing looks to be pretty tight to my eyes (hand?) like you were more focused on placing each pair over a pole piece on the pickup. I'm no expert but my understanding is that the...

Thank you Jordan for the transcribed solo and John for the rhythm chords. Quite useful indeed and now the work is cut out for several of us.

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

'56 F-12 f hole gets D'A EFT-74 Flat Tops, the '16 F-4 oval hole gets D'A EFW-74 Flat Wound and 2002 Duff H-5 gets D' EFT-76s when I can find them, otherwise D'A EF-76s. Guitars?? I'll have to...

Asian made Telecaster shaped 8 string, 2 pickup electric mandolin available in many different brand names. Mine is the Morgan Monroe offering. It's ideal for your needs playing it unplugged late at...

I found the J-75s were tougher on my left hand, with sore fingertips and finger cramping after a bit of playing, and that's with fairly low action. I like the Flat Tops better for more comfortable...

Ace Hardware has them in stock for about 20 cents each. Get the smallest ones.

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

Consider the re-voicing alone rather than adding in the cost of a refinish. It can be far less expensive than the 2 or 3 grand Brick mentions above. I sent my '56 F-12 to Randy Wood back in 2008. It...

I am not left handed but once helped a left handed friend convert his A style Ibenez mando to leftie. The 2 areas of most concern are the bridge saddle and the nut. They will be mirror images of...

I vote for one of each ;)

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

Thanks for the heads up Aaron for those of us who were not aware of Jarod's skills as a mandolinist and singer/songwriter. Good stuff indeed!!!

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

At $1095 it's a bit too rich for my wallet. $500-600 for a "name" bowl back mandolin is more like it.

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

That would be the late, great Paul Hostetter (sp?). Frank Ford also has tuner care pages at Frets.com. I think it would be very cool cleaned up and set up with new strings. Enjoy!!

Len B....

Thanks LKN2MYIS!! You saved me a lot of money!! That one was especially tempting. Good luck and enjoy it ;)

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

After several years of playing in the Providence Mandolin Orchestra as a 2nd or 1st section mandolin player, I switched to the mandola section due to a depletion of their ranks and an itch I wanted...

Many years ago I had a saddle snap during a gig. It happened with a Fishman M-100 bridge with the piezo pickup embedded in the saddle. It made a lot of noise when she let go. I've stayed away from...