Monster!
Price: $4,249.95 **SOLD**
Ray Dearstone has been handcrafting mandolins in the high country of Northeastern Tennessee for around 30 years and builds some of the finest instruments available. Dearstone mandolins are played by some well respected pickers as well, including Shawn Lane of Blue Highway and the late Dempsey Young. Ray’s 90’s mandolins are as good as it gets.
Specs:
Redwood top and Curly Red Maple back/sides/neck in a vintage wine hand rubbed lacquer finish. 3-ply (w/b/w) bindings on top/back/headstock, single Ivoroid bound fretboard. Radiused Ebony fretboard, James tailpiece (replacement), Abalone flower pot headstock inlay and Schaller (replacements) tuning machines. Gold hardware.
Frets replaced with radius and full size Ebony pickguard added somewhat recently.
Excellent-minus to excellent condition with play wear conducive to a 28 year old mandolin. Has a some scratches here and there and a few pings and dings. One impression ding on lower bout that is around 1/4″ x 1/8″ and a fairly significant area of pinky/pick wear wear beneath the pickguard. Some fretwear, but a long way from requiring any work.
Monster sound. I’d say this mandolin sounds similar to Shawn Lane’s. Deep, dry and woody tone with a massive voice. Really powerful and responsive. Has sound you can feel, all the way down your body and through your feet. Seriously, I don’t think you’ll find a better mandolin in it’s price range.
Includes a Travelite style case. Trades gladly considered on this fine USA built mandolin.
