I just did have my 1st experience and complete my initial transaction with Montana Lutherie and I have to say it was a totally satisfactory experience. I'd been shopping around for quite some time and I'd made about a half dozen offers either at the Cafe or at Reverb and none were accepted. Some were countered but I wanted to stay in a particular dollar range. I saw the Big Horn 2 point Bruce had for sale here, however I already have a nice Kelley 2 point.
I went to the Montana Lutherie website and saw an Arches A style with F holes, that looked pretty nice. I'd always read really great stuff about Chris Baird's builds, so I contacted Bruce by both email and phone call. He called me back. The Mandolin needed a refret and he contacted the seller for me and the seller dropped the price enough so that Bruce could do a refret (Gold Evo Fret Wire), plane the fret-board, replace the nut (Bone) and do a setup and stay within what I could afford to pay.
So I now own Arches #9 (2005).
I got to talking to Bruce the 2nd time he called, about the farm and everything, and Mary Weber wound up shipping my wife some soap she makes. I plan on buying some Cherries this coming Harvest season.
I attached a Photo of the mandolin right from the Montana Lutherie web site. The Arches looks really good and the sound is terrific. I like a loud mandolin and it is definitely that. The low end is really strong and the high end just rings like a bell. It's really well built. James tailpiece, Mahogany binding and a one piece maple back.
Plus Bruce did a wonderful job on his end.
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