Re: My new Aria M-300
That hump in the neck where it joins the body, and the extreme elevation of the bridge adjustment nuts, are dead giveaways. That mandolin ain't never gonna work. Send it back, get your money back. Yes, the seller will probably unload it on some other unsuspecting buyer, but nothing you can do about that. Cut your losses to the minimum -- and, if there's any way you can leave feedback on the seller, give 'em hell.
My advice -- which I usually follow, not without exceptions -- is don't buy what you can't try first. The "exceptions" I make are for really rare instruments that I'd never be able to find locally or regionally (examples: Gibson TL tenor lute, Waldo mandocello, which I bought from Cafe contacts who turned out to be scrupulously honest to deal with). An Aria M-300's not a particularly rare or fine-quality instrument -- not that it couldn't be a perfectly OK player, if it didn't have those defects.
Betcha could find some better buys around Toronto. Good luck; chalk it up to experience.
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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