Post by bleatoid on May 7, 2019 0:07:32 GMT
A slightly belated NMD........the delightful little chap in the pics below joined the family a couple of weeks back.
For the second time.
His first arrival was marred somewhat by the fact that he had been violently manhandled by the courier company resulting in a "shock-popped" finish on either side of the top. Mr Bucknall was, of course, fantastic and fuss free and sorted everything brilliantly.
Best of all, by coincidence, I happened to have a couple of days in Northumberland when it was ready, following its repair, so agreed to avoid the courier risk and make a slight homeward detour to collect it in person. Knocked tentatively at the Fylde door and went in – to find Mr Bucknall himself there to greet me. Naturally I threw myself to the floor and declared myself unworthy – he agreed wholeheartedly, gave me my lovely mandolin and threw me out. (Well, not quite…..).
Anyway – it is quite stunning, in all departments. It’s a cedar-topped walnut-bodied touchstone. Why stunning? Well I was completely taken aback by the tone, sustain and resonance. It rings forever – I was astonished that such a small bodied instrument could do so, and I swear it is pulsating, breathing as it sings with its own natural slow reverb. The cedar topped tone is sweet and very mellow (goes perfectly with my resident blackbird) - I’ll be interested to see how it opens out in a couple of years (the mandolin that is). No need to comment on build quality of course but the wood is just wonderful - you can't see it in my shabby pics but the walnut back is beautifully iridescent.
I’m absolutely delighted with it and though distractions have meant I've had far too little time with it so far, I am progressing nicely with cementing some chord shapes in my head and dabbling in the elementary pages of the Scottish Mandolin tutor book I was lucky enough to win in ocarolan ’s FFG a few weeks back.
I’d never touched a mandolin before this one arrived and I've been pleasantly surprised at how easy the transition has been - I'm quite at home on the tiny neck and four courses even after playing my modified v-necked 00-18. My research had highlighted the fact that the Fylde touchstone model has a slightly longer scale and slightly wider fretboard than the mando-norm that allegedly tend to help the migrating guitarist - seems to work. No problems cradling the little fellow (playing sitting down) without a strap.
Thanks again to all on this forum who, on a couple of threads I posted a while back, offered insights experience and wise counsel when I was thinking about getting a mandolin – I’m so pleased I did!
Peter
For the second time.
His first arrival was marred somewhat by the fact that he had been violently manhandled by the courier company resulting in a "shock-popped" finish on either side of the top. Mr Bucknall was, of course, fantastic and fuss free and sorted everything brilliantly.
Best of all, by coincidence, I happened to have a couple of days in Northumberland when it was ready, following its repair, so agreed to avoid the courier risk and make a slight homeward detour to collect it in person. Knocked tentatively at the Fylde door and went in – to find Mr Bucknall himself there to greet me. Naturally I threw myself to the floor and declared myself unworthy – he agreed wholeheartedly, gave me my lovely mandolin and threw me out. (Well, not quite…..).
Anyway – it is quite stunning, in all departments. It’s a cedar-topped walnut-bodied touchstone. Why stunning? Well I was completely taken aback by the tone, sustain and resonance. It rings forever – I was astonished that such a small bodied instrument could do so, and I swear it is pulsating, breathing as it sings with its own natural slow reverb. The cedar topped tone is sweet and very mellow (goes perfectly with my resident blackbird) - I’ll be interested to see how it opens out in a couple of years (the mandolin that is). No need to comment on build quality of course but the wood is just wonderful - you can't see it in my shabby pics but the walnut back is beautifully iridescent.
I’m absolutely delighted with it and though distractions have meant I've had far too little time with it so far, I am progressing nicely with cementing some chord shapes in my head and dabbling in the elementary pages of the Scottish Mandolin tutor book I was lucky enough to win in ocarolan ’s FFG a few weeks back.
I’d never touched a mandolin before this one arrived and I've been pleasantly surprised at how easy the transition has been - I'm quite at home on the tiny neck and four courses even after playing my modified v-necked 00-18. My research had highlighted the fact that the Fylde touchstone model has a slightly longer scale and slightly wider fretboard than the mando-norm that allegedly tend to help the migrating guitarist - seems to work. No problems cradling the little fellow (playing sitting down) without a strap.
Thanks again to all on this forum who, on a couple of threads I posted a while back, offered insights experience and wise counsel when I was thinking about getting a mandolin – I’m so pleased I did!
Peter