You're so right about the sustain of the walnut, T-Tone. I played one piece for Papaw where I end with a tremelo on the 14th fret on the high E string -- Wow. It stunned us both.

And I'm so happy with the whole tone of Mandolanne. She's warm and bright in all the right places. And I can't say enough about the action; it's perfect. Papaw put some GHS medium bronze strings on her, and I'm used to the light Thomastik strings on my other two mandos. As much as I've played her in the last two days, I have yet to get that nagging ache in my fret hand that I would be normally be feeling from my other mandolins. Yes, there's a general tiredness in my left hand; but, I'm sure that's from playing brand new and thicker strings combined with me not being able to put her down ;-)

And Mooh, I'll be looking for your pictures. From the way you described it earlier, I'm sure it'll be a beauty!

Well, I've got to go and wash the dishes and dry the clothes that I ignored completely yesterday (hahahaha). But, I'm timing myself so I won't be parted from Mandolanne for too long. ;-)

All the best, Áine