Over in the classifieds is a Vern Bryant mandolin, I haven't any info on him, and was wondering if he has a shop or does work on mandolins? #He isn't in the builders section, so I am placing a post here...thanks, dy.
Over in the classifieds is a Vern Bryant mandolin, I haven't any info on him, and was wondering if he has a shop or does work on mandolins? #He isn't in the builders section, so I am placing a post here...thanks, dy.
Full Disclosure: I'm the one selling the mando in the classifieds (and it's a good one, IMO). So in this case, I *do* have some financial interest.
Vern is a retired gentleman who lives in Springfield, VA. Very personable guy (and WWII vet) who has been a player for many, many years. Great singer, too. He does repair and setup work (he's very fast and his rates are quite good), and builds guitars, mandolins, fiddles, maybe even banjos.
My opinion is that he's got a *very* talented ear for tone but that his eye for things like finish work and binding aren't as good as what you'll see from other modern builders. He recognizes this, and it doesn't seem to bother him: he joked with me that he's been building them "distressed" since long before it became a fad, and that maybe he should charge more to reflect that :-)
As far as construction goes, he knows what he's doing. He has an old Martin at his house that he'd retopped. It wasn't exactly pretty to look at, but was one of the best-sounding guitars I've ever played.
A Grateful Rambler and a wayfaring stranger,got to be a song there!
Thanks for the info, and yep, a song is needed:
The Grateful Wayfaring Stranger
He came to the river of Jordan to do some picking
With a Mando in his hand, a Bible in his pocket
And there swinged low to that sweet chariot
Grateful Wayfaring Stranger sing your tune
Grateful Wayfaring Stranger play your tune
Oh please oh please don't stop too soon
Have a good weekend, dy.
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