I've just ordered an octave mandolin from Dave Freshwater (as if learning the guitar wasn't a big enough challenge on its own!)

I've had several long chats with him on the phone (including one yesterday...does the bloke never stop working?) to get the specs exactly right.

He's quoted me 12 weeks delivery. I asked him several times if that was realistic, given that he has a reputation for "slippage" on delivery times, but he assured me that although there have been problems in the past, he's currently delivering in that time frame. Anyone got recent experience of delivery on Freshwater instruments?

BTW: he must be getting on a bit. when I mentioned that my sister lives in Findhorn, he told me that as an army Engineer in 1952, he nearly drowned in the bay. That's got to make him almost 80...77 at least.