Re: Price Haggling??
When I had Bernie Lehmann build my 10-string, we discussed body wood (curly koa), top wood (Adirondack), body shape (two-point), and then he quoted me a price. If I hadn't accepted it, which I did, I would have asked him if there were modifications he could make in the build, to make it less expensive. Wouldn't have expected to get the same specs for less money.
Having said that, there probably are changes that can be made to reduce costs, with the understanding that -- while basic quality is maintained -- there may be lesser cosmetics, rosewood fingerboard instead of ebony, different tuning machines, etc.
Any commercial firm building mandolins has a variety of models in different price ranges. Individual builders may not offer a range of styles -- though some do, see "F-model vs. A-model" -- but there well could be some room for negotiation.
On the other hand, if a builder views "negotiation" as "haggling," an adversarial element has already appeared...
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
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