NFI here, but Gryphon Strings just acquired an extremely rare and great-sounding Grand Artist Radio Flyer mandolin by John Monteleone. I got to play this mandolin and a couple of others at John's workshop out on Long Island many, many years ago. I almost pulled the trigger on this one, but had way too much money tied up in mandolins at that time to go for another. I also played a Radio Flyer A model (which, coincidentally, is up for sale at Carter's) which I liked equally as well... both really beautiful, superb-sounding mandolins. I recall John was very excited about the unorthodox finishes he used on these... in person they were supremely beautiful!
So there you go... if you want a to get a really great sounding, artistically exceptional mandolin by one of the living masters check out the Radio Flyer offerings at Gryphon and Carter's. The Radio Flyer A-model seems pretty reasonable compared to its fancier cousin... however they both sound great!
Just noticed there is a video on YouTube of Tristan Scroggins working out on the Radio Flyer A model at Carter's. I think my memory served me well on this one... beautiful tone! The Monteleone? Tristan? Or both!
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