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I have spent time with gypsy,traveler and MM8. I would rank them as follows: gypsy( best tone, neck to wide for me), traveler( just fun to play, round body and big head not very graceful looking) and...

Michael, I meant it had nice wood and it is fully bound. Audey told me that it is red spruce or it is sitka cut from a log in Alaska that was used as a salmon trap 30+ years ago. That sitka log was...

Looking at all the 1000ish A models I thought this one looked the best. Wood,bindings and all that. Now after playing it, I really think I got a deal. More than likley I will still get a Collings...

All the rattlers here in the panhandle have no problem with the tail. They will let ya know just where to swing that shovel.


kirk

Okay, what a cool one pc. back! great neck shape, v'ish and really comfortable. It has a flat board and is bound on all edges. The sponsor sent it with some funky strings on it so I put on TI heavies...

Some of you may recall my questions regarding A9's. Well after trying one I decided that I am not a Gibson guy. So I kept looking, low and behold a sponsor here had a Ratliff RA5 for sale. Well I...

nice couch slouch none the less.

kirk

Of the two I would get the Bovier. I have played both and I did not get along with the 855 at all.

kirk

I had a 505 Eastman and it was nowhere near my LM 500 VS. I do wish the Loar had a radius FB though. With that said, I did not like the LM 600 VS I played.

kirk

Not sure but the Flatiron pancake I played in Ray Hennings was FREAKIN LOUD. He had just a little too much on the price tag for me though.

kirk

I ordered that Ratliff from Janet Davis, we'll see how it sounds. Should be here in a couple days. I have not played a MT but I hear they are strong on the E and A were I found the A9 D and G strong....

Well Steve Smith seems to be pretty busy making them. The pancake that is.


Do you think a nashville flatiron, will sound like an A9?

kirk

I lived on the gulf coast in Alabama for 8 years and spent a bit of time on the beach. But Mexico is much different than Alabama. I thought some of the guys way up north would like to see some...

I have heard the owner play it a few times and is sounds fine but it isn't what I want. Plus I think a radius FB would be nice on teh next one.

kirk

I was forced by work it spend 15 days in Mexico. It happens every year from Feb 1-Mar 4. We go down in shifts. Anyhow, I took my "The Loar" LM 500 with me and had a ball in the evenings. Here are a...

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb98/kirkw101/S6301330.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb98/kirkw101/S6301335.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb98/kirkw101/S6301349.jpg
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Okay, so I got a chance to play an A9 for 10 min or so today. The neck was fine. The set up was fine, the sound was,, well Gibson. I think it is bassier than what I want. It sounds good, but not what...

I found an old post w/ a video of mike marshall showing holding and such. it is good info and I have been keeping a small gap between the neck and thumb/index finger joint.
Thanks for all the help....

is the A9 flat or radius?

any good way to add dots to the fingerboard? I read they come with a cheap nut, is that true? good bridge or average?

I like the brown finish better than the burst....

Thanks for the input guys. I guess I'll just have to buy something and see what happens.

kirk

And no I don't have to have a gibson. One of the ones I am looking at is a Ratliff RA-5, also weber gallatin. I am not a hardcore bluegrasser, more blues than grass. and funky stuff too. Kinda a...

I am open to suggestions but I will not exceed my budget. I have my eye on a couple but just not sure if I want to pull the trigger. They are all out of state and I cannot play them.

thanks for...

So a quick youtube of chris thile revealed that his thumb is either straight up or center of the back of teh neck, depending. and when I play like that that puts my wrist in a straight position not...

Thanks guys I will search left hand technique. I hope it is that simple.

Kirk

What is the general thought behind the A9? I only know what I see in the pics and is on the website. How is the sound, neck shape and that kinda jazz.

I am looking into a new mandolin in the...