MAS Strikes Again!

**Old Dog Dave** · Apr-21-2022, 5:54pm

Well, that devilish little imp fulfilled its mission after first striking me about two weeks ago. One day that week, I had come across a mandolin at Dusty Strings (Seattle) that was shown on their website. At the time, I was not in the market for yet another one. But, this one struck me because I own one of its siblings. The listing was for a 2004 Gibson A9; last year I had purchased a 2004 Gibson F9 that I really love. I had no other apparent reason for buying a 5th mandolin; but, the idea of siblings wouldn't leave. (I am the father of 3 children and grandfather of two more, so I am pretty familiar with siblings.)

So, to make a long story just a tad longer, I drove up to Dusty Strings this morning and now own that lovely Gibson A9. It has a crisp, sweet sound and is immaculate. Like my F9, it came along with its original TKL hardshell case. I'd post a pic of the two sibs, but I haven't yet learned how to do that on the Cafe. When I learn, I will post one.

I do want to thank the great folks up at Dusty Strings. Some really friendly and very knowledgeable folks there and they were quite patient with me as I accepted the results of my current bout of MAS. Gotta run--time to grab ahold of that puppy and do some pickin'.

**lflngpicker** · Apr-21-2022, 6:54pm

Sounds like that sibling is going to fit right into your collection. How does the sound and playability compare between the F9 and the A9? Congrats on your new mando!

**Demetrius** · Apr-21-2022, 9:10pm

Someone else seems to really enjoy their lovely A9 mandolin too.
Congrats and enjoy!
Dem

**milli857** · Apr-21-2022, 11:19pm

Oh, I'm not too far from Seattle, I might have to check out that store!

**Glassweb** · Apr-22-2022, 1:32am

Originally Posted by Old Dog Dave

Well, that devilish little imp fulfilled its mission after first striking me about two weeks ago. One day that week, I had come across a mandolin at Dusty Strings (Seattle) that was shown on their website. At the time, I was not in the market for yet another one. But, this one struck me because I own one of its siblings. The listing was for a 2004 Gibson A9; last year I had purchased a 2004 Gibson F9 that I really love. I had no other apparent reason for buying a 5th mandolin; but, the idea of siblings wouldn't leave. (I am the father of 3 children and grandfather of two more, so I am pretty familiar with siblings.)

So, to make a long story just a tad longer, I drove up to Dusty Strings this morning and now own that lovely Gibson A9. It has a crisp, sweet sound and is immaculate. Like my F9, it came along with its original TKL hardshell case. I'd post a pic of the two sibs, but I haven't yet learned how to do that on the Cafe. When I learn, I will post one.

I do want to thank the great folks up at Dusty Strings. Some really friendly and very knowledgeable folks there and they were quite patient with me as I accepted the results of my current bout of MAS. Gotta run--time to grab ahold of that puppy and do some pickin'.

I thought that mandolin sounded great, but it could really benefit from a truss rod adjustment and a better setup. The neck had way too much relief in it when I played it.

**Bob Buckingham** · Apr-22-2022, 6:51am

Those A-9's have a distinctive sound, at least the ones I've heard and played.

**Old Dog Dave** · Apr-22-2022, 4:37pm

Originally Posted by milli857

Oh, I'm not too far from Seattle, I might have to check out that store!

Dusty Strings is really a great shop in Fremont (on Fremont Ave.). Great people there and lots of choice instruments. I highly recommend them!

**Old Dog Dave** · Apr-22-2022, 4:47pm

Originally Posted by lflngpicker

Sounds like that sibling is going to fit right into your collection. How does the sound and playability compare between the F9 and the A9? Congrats on your new mando!

This particular A9 is a bit quieter than the F9, but does have a crisp sound and is really playable. The F9 is a really sweet instrument, though. Whoever owned it before me had very low frets put on and used the Thomastik/Praezision strings; they left three additional sets of those strings to go along with it, so I'm pretty flush with excellent strings for the F9. My only "complaint" with both of them--and believe me, this is really minor and shouldn't both me--is that the fret markers (at 5, 7, 10 and 12) are only along the side of the fretboard, not on it. I think that is pretty standard for the Gibson "9s", as they don't have the frills of the F5. My only reason for wishing there were the inlays on the fretboard itself is that I am a senior citizen (75) and my eyesight is not the best. Ergo, if I am looking down at the fretboard while I am playing I don't see the side markers as well as if there were inlays. BUT--really not to complain; I love both of these instruments.

**Old Dog Dave** · Apr-22-2022, 4:50pm

Originally Posted by Demetrius

Someone else seems to really enjoy their lovely A9 mandolin too.
Congrats and enjoy!
Dem

Wow!! She makes that A9 sing. Beautiful. Thanks for sharing, Dem. Nice video.

**urobouros** · Apr-22-2022, 5:56pm

Dusty Strings is a great shop to get lost in.

**jaycat** · Apr-22-2022, 6:14pm

You know you can get stick-on fret markers, right? Or get inlays put in, if you wanna spend the $$.

**Old Dog Dave** · Apr-23-2022, 5:03pm

Thanks, Jaycat!! I will probably check in to having some inlays put in. In fact, Dusty Strings might be a good place to have that done.

**dan in va** · Apr-23-2022, 7:02pm

These A9 and F9 mandolins have a simple and elegant beauty. Consider playing it unaltered for a good while, as there are plenty of side position markers. I've found the side dots to be sufficient and the big dots on the face are redundant and unnecessary; and it's good posture not to have to lean over so far as to see them. Of course, the likes of Tony Rice's famous D28 and all the classical instruments are appealing, too.

The house instruments all have the side dots only...D18, O18T, L&H model C, Stanley A5, Gibson A9 and Martin A...so I just might really like this style.

**Old Dog Dave** · Apr-24-2022, 2:09pm

Thanks, Dan! I was spending some quality pickin' time with both of them this morning and I am slowly warming up to the side position markers. You make a very good point and I do think I will work with these as they are and at least give myself time to get fully accustomed to the side markers. If, at some point in the future, I have the cash and the inclination, I might consider inlays. But for now, I think I'll stay with them as they are. Thanks again for your reply!!!