A33 Mandolin

[Johnny M]

The scroll on that F33 at Galaxy looks pretty rough, like it was made by someone who was just learning how to make an F mandolin. Compare the scroll on a Weber for example. That being said still looks like a good deal if it can be bought for the starting price, for someone who has to have a scroll. Me, I prefer the looks of the A33.

Mike

Yep, I agree with you there.  I got all excited at the price and then took a closer look.  The binding where the scroll meets is pretty rough. It might of been the pictures, but I wasn't crazy about the finish on it.  There is also no binding on the headstock which doesn't bother me, but if I'm spending that much money, I want it to be complete. I can understand no binding on an 03 series style mandolin, but I would hope the price would reflect that as well.  I don't really care one way or the other about a scroll, but my son thinks they look cool.

The F-33 listed over on the Mandolincafe.com also doesn't have headstock binding and is way overpriced (in my opinion).  It's cheaper than a new one, but not by that much considering you can get a new one with headstock binding.

I ended up buying the A-33 at the 12th Fret today.  I probably paid a little too much, but I am happy with what it came out to be and I don't have to worry about customs, insurance, taxes, or brokerage fees, paypal fees, etc..  Funny, but this is the first time I've bought a quality instrument from/within Canada.  I was talking with Brian there and he was really helpful.  He thought the used one they had listed was really nice (better wood and finishing than the new one they had) and said he would take it over a Collings.  Just a lot more mandolin for the money.  He told me that Collings upcharges $2000 for a varnish finish, and that Larrivee is at least at par with them, if not better.  They also sell Collings as well.  He said that there were some fingerprints on it and that was the only sign that it had been used.  "Mint", "showroom condition".  I'm pretty excited and glad that I didn't have to buy one new.  You don't see too many used ones show up and even finding a new one can be difficult.

I really like the finishing on the Larrivee mandolins and they are right up there with the best.  Like I said earlier, I'm not really a sunburst kind of guy, but this Cremona stain and varnish finish is beautiful.  Kind of reminds me of a violin.  I've never really liked the Larrivee sunbursts that I've seen and the only sunburst that I kinda like is Martin's Ambertone sunburst.  I really liked September because I got to see Lawn Jockey's A-33 everyday when I logged on here.

I want to thank Randy R and Photomat for their offers to help with shipping.  This forum is truly amazing!!!    With that said, I'm now back in the Larrivee fold again  

[Randy_R]

Beautiful!!!   The Twelfth Fret is great to deal with, I'm glad they had this for you.

[es-335]

Congratz John, She is a beauty!


Now time to sell me the D18 to me :) jk!!

Enjoy your mando!!

[Johnny M]

Congrats John!!!

While I wholeheartedly agree with you (and others) concerning the scroll......it makes zero difference in sound though.  To me (at least), it wouldn't have mattered if Larrivee had reproduced the Gibson F-5 scroll perfectly.  I don't care for F style mandolins enough to justify the huge upcharge for what is effectively a strap hanger.

The "Scroll Nazi's" got after the Larrivee F-33's pretty good over at the Mandolin Cafe in this thread.  It quickly digressed to Larrivee bashing even though the OP (who is a good mandolinist) was trying to give an objective review.   

Enjoy your new A-33.......and be sure to post some pictures after you've spent some time with it. 

I know the feeling of having to wait on your new baby to arrive....and the anticipation.  I ordered a new Larrivee _ _ _ _ _ _ on Friday.  It should be here by next Wednesday.  You'll have to look for my thread to see what _ _ _ _ _ _ is.   

I can go either way with scrolls, but if I buy one with a scroll, I want it done right.  It is a big upcharge, so the scroll should reflect it.  At this time, the A style body pulled me in.  I really like the way Larrivee does their finish and it kinda looks "old world".

I saw the thread over at the mandolincafe.com regarding the Larrivee scroll.  There seems to be a lot of people who think that if it doesn't say "Gibson" (or some expensive hand built) on the headstock, it isn't a real mandolin.  I could really care less.  My first real guitar was a Larrivee and I hope the A-33 will be an excellent first real mandolin.  My budget wont allow me to horse trade mandolins like I did with guitar, so I wanted something decent to start with.  I told my son that if he practices hard for the next couple of years, I'll give this one to him (good motivator and a excuse for me to get another mandolin in a couple of years  )

OK, cough up the details ... what did you snag?  If you don't want to post it publicly yet, you can PM me.  Thanks for all the help on the forum and via back channels.

Randy ~ The Twelfth Fret was a treat to deal with.  I've bought a lot of guitars off forums and this was so easy in comparison.  I e-mailed them early in the week and they got back to me quickly and answered all my questions.  When I called yesterday, Brian remembered my e-mail and we went from there.  Definitely one of the good shops out there!

Jeff ~ I'll keep my eyes open for either a D-18 or 35.  The next time you come back to Vancouver Island, let's meet up and I'll let you play the D-18.

John

[Johnny M]

John, you are most welcome.   

I'll PM you what the Larrivee _ _ _ _ _ _ is.  Prepare to be...........underwhelmed.   

If it were underware, I'd say UNDERwhelmed ... but this is Larrivee! 

[exdmd]

Congrats John on the A33. I completely agree with you, if I'm going to buy an F style mandolin the scroll has to be done right, or why bother?

I've been enjoying my used A33 for a few days now. Had to move the bridge slightly to intonate properly and was able to lower the action to .060 inch at the seventeeth fret. Put J74's on. Neck has the proper relief and the nut slots were cut properly. Tone is very much in the Collings camp. Nice bell tone to the A and E strings. Mandolin is still green but already has very good volume, some wood in the tone, and a satisfying chop. Sounding this good new, when it breaks in will be a hoss.

Mike

[Johnny M]

Congrats John on the A33. I completely agree with you, if I'm going to buy an F style mandolin the scroll has to be done right, or why bother?

I've been enjoying my used A33 for a few days now. Had to move the bridge slightly to intonate properly and was able to lower the action to .060 inch at the seventeeth fret. Put J74's on. Neck has the proper relief and the nut slots were cut properly. Tone is very much in the Collings camp. Nice bell tone to the A and E strings. Mandolin is still green but already has very good volume, some wood in the tone, and a satisfying chop. Sounding this good new, when it breaks in will be a hoss.

Mike

Thanks for the review Mike ~ that's what I want to hear (other than my mandolin when it arrives).  Brain at the Twelfth Fret said that it was a good one, so I'm hoping that it will be.  I just checked my tracking number and it's in Thunder Bay, Ont. with an estimated delivery date of October 27th ... I week to go! 

[Johnny M]

The mandolin arrive in Richmond, BC (Vancouver) around dinner time and left the facility just before 9 pm local time.  I'm hoping it's catching a ferry this evening over to Vancouver Island.  My fingers are crossed that it might arrive tomorrow, but I won't hold my breath.

[Johnny M]

Oct 23, 2009 5:57 AM　　In transit　　NANAIMO, BC　　　　Tendered to authorized agent for final delivery

[Randy_R]

Oct 23, 2009 5:57 AM　　In transit　　NANAIMO, BC　　　　Tendered to authorized agent for final delivery

Anticipation... 

[Johnny M]

Anticipation... 

I haven't been this excited about getting an instrument in a LONG time.

Well, it looks like it will be delivered Monday after all.  Fedex doesn't actually deliver on the island and contracts it out. Sometimes it goes to the Post Office on the island and sometimes a courier delivers for them.  I went down to the P.O. this morning and they had nothing.  I then called the courier and he didn't have anything on board and gave me the phone number of the company he delivers for.  I called them and they told me that it's on it's way to the nearest town where they have an unmaned depot.  The courier goes to the depot in the morning and picks up what's there and catches the 11am ferry over (they only come over once a day).  It looks like it will be delivered to the depot around noon, so it will sit there for the weekend.  Since it's an unmaned depot, I can't go over and pick it up.  Oh well.  It's not like I don't have any instruments to play over the weekend.  The nice thing is that it will still be delivered a day earlier than the expected delivery date.

[Johnny M]

 

[Johnny M]

 

[Randy_R]

Like it, huh?

[Johnny M]

Let me first say that I don't have much to compare this to, other than my son's Breedlove Spirit mandolin, so take it for what it is.

The A-33 mandolin arrived yesterday from the Twelfth Fret in Toronto and it was packaged like you would expect it to be from one of the great instrument shops in North America.  Top notch!  Opening the case was almost a spiritual experience.  Beauty beyond words.  I don't say this lightly as I've had some pretty nice guitars come and go at my place, but visually this thing is unbelievable.  I'm not one for sunbursts, but the Cremona stain is really classy looking.  Kind of reminds me of a violin.  The lines are simple and classy at the same time. Enough bling without going over the top.

I was kind of busy last night, so I didn't really get all that much playing time on it until today (about 2.5 hours).  I pretty much got Arkansas Traveller under my fingers.  One thing I noticed was that it is louder when you are facing it.  My son tried it out and it sounded much fuller and louder than when I was playing it.  I was surprised at how much volume this little thing puts out.  It also sounded like it was getting better the more I played it.  To be honest, this thing is in mint condition considering it is "used".  All I could find was one little mark on the side of the headstock.  That's it!  I don't think this mandolin has really been played as the frets look like they are brand spankin' new.  Comparing it to the Breedlove, it sounds smoother, fuller, and may I say more mature.  I think with some playing time this thing is going to be a tone monster.

Fit and finish ... Being a woodworker, I'm pretty picky.  I would give this a 9/10.  The stain and finish are flawless and really classy (there's that word again) looking.  The binding and pin striping on the body are done very nicely, but the pin stripe on the neck binding wavers in thickness in a couple of places.  Nothing major and you wouldn't see it if you weren't nitpicking, but it's there.  The headstock is elegant and nicely done.  The gold hardware is quality (don't know which brand) and fits the overall theme of the mandolin.  The tuner buttons are pretty small, but they work well without any slipping or being too stiff.  One thing I noticed was that under the fretboard extension, it could have been sanded with a higher grit sandpaper for a smoother finish and there is a faint line where it meets the body.  It looks like they didn't get the stain all the way in there.  I am being totally anal, but considering the price I paid, they did a VERY good job.  The wood that they used is stunning.  The back has a really nice flame to it and looks 3-D.  I don't know if it's called flamed maple, or tiger maple, but it sure looks cool.  The neck has the same flame/tiger striping and is more of a V shape compared to the rounded neck on the Breedlove.  The neck is 1 1/8" and is really comfortable.  I prefer it to the Breedlove's neck.  The action is fairly low and is easy to play without any buzzing. The intonation is prefect all the way up the neck.  Breedloves are known for their easy playing, but I like the Larrivee better.  Just a really nice overall feeling.

In the case pocket were 4 pics (2 nice thicker Larrivee picks), a cloth, care and feeding booklet and a nice, thin, brown leather Larrivee strap.  The rectangle case is nice, but a bit big for the mandolin.  It wasn't a snug fit and the mandolin can move around a bit.  My son really liked the case so I traded it for his form fitting case (snug fit).  I was kind of surprised that Larrivee didn't have a snugger fitting case.  The case is nice, but the fit is sloppy.

After playing it for most of the evening, I picked up my D-18 and it really sounded bassy compared to what I was hearing all night.  The mandolin is a really nice instrument that compliments the guitar's tone.  I would love to try a Bouzouki one day as I think it would fit between a guitar and mandolin.  Overall I am really happy with the purchase and the mandolin.  Who knows, in 10 years it might be worth some money being one of the early Larrivee mandolins.  I told my son tonight if he practiced hard for the next couple of years, I'd give him this mandolin.  Good motivator for him and an excuse to get another mandolin down the road, but I don't see this one leaving the family fold.  It is more mandolin than I will ever need.

Here are some pics from the website.  I'll try to get some of my own up within the next couple of days.

[Johnny M]

I found something that I don't like about it ~ trying to keep it clean! 

[exdmd]

I've been enjoying my A33 for a week now, only nit I have to pick is the string height over the first fret is just a tad high for the A and E strings. I can give the mandolin a much slinkier feel by deepening those nut slots a bit. Not a big deal, I usually have to adjust the set up on any mandolin I own. The only mandolin I've owned that had a perfect set up from the factory was a Collings MF-5. I really like the neck on the A33, I consider it to be just as comfy as the Collings' neck.

[Johnny M]

Yeah, I saw that.  Nice price, but I like the look of the headstock binding.

Very nice description of the mandolin ...

"The top & back carving on this instrument is exquisite with graceful arching & deep recurve around the edge. The grained ivoroid binding sets off a rich Cremona stain with an ultra-thin gloss finish. 

Throaty with a great bark when chopped, unbelievable dynamic range & headroom and loads of that beautiful mandolin high-end chime!"

Yeah, sounds about right.   

[Johnny M]

C'mon Duck, you know you want one. Chop chop! 

[Johnny M]

 

... groovin''''',,,,,,,,............       .