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Just double checked - my A Jr. does not fit well in the Airloom case. Wider body so need to compress the sides foam more than I like. Then the body sits at an angle and the neck doesn't sit well in...

The Brentrup is one of my two main instruments in the band, along with the Boeh that is also not a folkie or classical sound.

He has enough experience having lead a couple of different bands for over 20 years, and toured around the US, Canada and Finland. Now, the sound he (and often I) look for in an instrument might not...

I don't know if the Performer changed from an integrated fingerboard to one that suspends over the top when they moved production to Nashville.

If that did change, then the instruments are...

Nope. It's very close to the P-344 model shown in the ads in the SOL group. From the 1935 catalog. Pickguard is different. Otherwise conforms to the description. Mine has a one piece quilted back....

My 1930's is an all solid wood model with comma shaped F hole ends. It is also the slightly smaller body.

Will just say that tone is very objective. Our band leader cannot stand the sound of my 1930's SOL. He thought it was thin and cheap sounding. (Okay, he compared it to an old Harmony.) It's the only...

My own take, having owned just a half dozen or so, is they are great for the money. None I've owned or played would replace either of my hand built instruments.

I do consider them better than a...

Again, want to thank everyone for the thoughtful answers so far on this topic. And would like to also apologize - I was unaware that the tern "Bal Folk" meant anything other than French folk dance. ...

Thank you. This is what I was wondering about. At least half the other players have many years of visiting and playing in France and have a decent knowledge of the historic regional styles.

And...

Am not sure where to find the CDs. I ordered them from a seller in Ely, MN a few years ago, but they are out of business.

It's possible Oren has some. But I haven't seen them available for a while.

Just a point - that's not Ralph Tuttila with Oren but rather Al Rekko, accordion player and singer for Finn Hall.

Yes, Ralph's current band, Lauluaika is planning to play at Finnfest this year. We...

Thanks for the discussion so far -

Yes, I meant "Bal Folk" as in the music of central France and Brittany. Although many of these folks also play music from other regions of France.

Believe...

Am just dipping my toes into this music, but had an interesting experience at a bal folk jam this past weekend. After one tune, one of the other observed that the mandolin made the tunes sound more...

Hard to say. I always go for the ones that influenced me -

Peter Ostroushko
Ralph Tuttila
Bob Douglas
Heikki Lahti
Jethro Burns
Norman Blake

For upgrading - I would ask - what are you missing in the sound of the Kentucky? Or how it feels when playing? Do you wish it had more of something (bass, cutting power, etc?) Or is it in the...

Some can adjust easier than others. My A Jr. has a slightly V shaped neck, the Boeh very round. Both those work for me. As does the smaller V on my Brentrup.

But the mid 1930's Gibson V shaped...

It's still a very fine instrument. But I know that there are two newer generations since mine was made. Reports are those are better than what I have. It's still the best sounding flat top I've owned.

Jim,

My white Ceylon picks are just slightly smaller than a BC TPD or Wegen triangle. I also found them a bit more slick to hold. But that's me and my biases.

Have mentioned this numerous times - my favorites are probably the Fern Dick Kimmel owned (which I believe is now in Germany) and the Lloyd LaPlant that was played by Bob Douglas. (Although every one...

Like the Stroboclip around home. Use the Unitune or Polytune at jams and performances. It turns on and off quicker and is just as accurate, IMO.

Do occasionally jam with a guitarist who plays in...

Just want to point out that even on an inexpensive Gibson acoustic guitar (G-45) the website indicates "hot hide glue" in the neck to body joint.

Have not played any of these current Gibson...

Per Paul Fox's book "The Complete Guide to Gibson Mandolins" page 151, the price shown on the tag was current for 1952. Didn't change until 1956.

That seems to agree with the single line Kluson...

That's wrong. Which is strange. I trust them for having more accurate descriptions most of the time. (Am a long time customer so I have a positive bias here.)

If the binding had been replaced,...

Haven't purchased one from this run. Have two earlier ones that fit my 7 3/4 size head just fine.