Crafter Mandolins - any good?

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 12 Dec 11 - 11:51 AM

Bloody Hell!

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 12 Dec 11 - 11:19 AM

Far be it from me to discourage anyone from buying the instrument they like the sound, feel, look and price of. For some this may be a Crafter.

If Shelly's fiancee is prepared to accept a "used" present, she could do worse than buy him this one.

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: RichM
Date: 12 Dec 11 - 09:09 AM

With the excellent low priced mandolins available now, why consider a lesser product like Crafter?

For a reasonable sum, you can buy a Kentucky or Eastman that will have a superior construction and sound.

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 12 Dec 11 - 08:38 AM

... an old thread. To be honest, I've never had the urge or the need to play a Crafter. The only experience I've had is via my usual luthier who once told me he'd had a couple in with the bridge in the wrong place.

Mandolins, having a very short scale, are hyper critical with respect to bridge placement. (If its not in the right place, you'll sound progressively out of tune as you go up the neck - assuming you can get the thing in tune in the first place) I've always assumed that this is the main reason for mandolins [and fiddles] having movable bridges so you can adjust them to perfection and It doesn't take much for tuning to be problematic.

If you're going to buy a mandolin with a fixed bridge; e.g. a Crafter, and you know not a lot about mandolins (which, in my experience, tends to include the majority of people working in music shops) try to get the thing checked out by someone who does.

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: GUEST,Shining Wit
Date: 12 Dec 11 - 07:24 AM

a.k.a stigweard, Sugarfoot Jack, The Lamenting Whelk, Shining Wit.

Good lord, have I been posting to this forum for that long?

Still have the Hullah, but play a Foley bouzouki these days.

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: The Sandman
Date: 12 Dec 11 - 05:25 AM

the best value mandolins i know of are made by antony black

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: GUEST,shelly
Date: 11 Dec 11 - 05:51 PM

Hi...i am considering buying a crafter M570E mandolin for my fiance for xmas but know nothing about them. He said it is 539.00 usd new, and is selling his in perfect condition for 250 usd after some negotiation. It comes with a case, wall hanger, 2 books, one cd, extra strings and such. Online i see brand new M570e for 249.00 on some sites, but M575e are 539 and look more similar to his pic so maybe he wrote the wrong model on ad... either way is this a good deal for one of these models? I see that some people here suggested cheaper prices (after i converted) than this is...but are there 'cheaper' models of crafter than this m570e? Please help any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: GUEST,guest,dom
Date: 12 Aug 11 - 02:05 AM

I've had a crafter mandolin for years, nice action, stable tuning and surprisingly robust. If your an amature like me I'd say they are great, got mine for about 120, was surprised to read on here that they go for as much as 700 for that sort of money get yourself an epiphone. Something to be aware of is the build quality can be variable, i've tried a couple of others in shops over the years and not found them good. I've also seen a lot if pictures with the bridge broken off. Play it before you buy. The sound is thin compared to a wood body but like I say they are a good starter mandolin if you are ready for something proffessional.

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 31 Oct 09 - 11:59 AM

Yes the AMC (usually known as TAMCO) is unique which is why I referred to it as the best place for mandolins on earth. I must add that I only speak as a satisfied customer. I've bought two instruments from Trevor and he has a third currently on hold for me. I've always found him totally honest and accommodating. By way of example, one of the tuner knobs fell off the first (not a cheap instrument) Trevor's solution - (i.e. the quickest as I live 300 miles away) was that I order whatever replacement I wanted from Stewmac and send him the bill.

I don't think they stock Breedloves (or Crafters) any more and, personally, I think you could do far better if you had £3000 to spend. For those interested in mandolins, and exotic guitars, the TAMCO website is one of the best druels on the internet.
Ray

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: Will Fly
Date: 31 Oct 09 - 05:35 AM

By coincidence, I went to a charity concert by the Brighton-based community group the "Fretful Federation Mandolin Orchestra" in a local village hall last night. Mandolins of all styles, and very good it was too.

Chatting in the interval to one of the older performers - who, like other members of the orchestra - had frequented the Acoustic Music Company - I had a go on his mandolin. It was a Breedlove, about which I'd heard but had never tried or seen one in the wood. What a wonderful instrument it was - flamed maple back, sides and neck, with a honeyed yet bright tone. It sounded as sweet as a nut - and cost £3,000.

We can't all afford such instruments (well, I can't, at any rate), but it's always worth trying a quality instrument if you can - just to get a feeling for what they sound like. So, as GUEST,Ray has said, going to a store like the Acoustic Music Company is a great idea. However, my guess is the AMC is pretty unique.

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 30 Oct 09 - 01:10 PM

I've been to the Leicester show for most of years its been going and I can't remember them ever having a mandolin on display. Go by all means, but be prepared to be disappointed. The best place on earth for mandolins is the Acoustic Music Company in Brighton. They have a nice Nuggett in stock for a shade under £13,000 but I suspect that is possibly out of your price range. Luckily, they have many others at a lesser figure and Trevor's advice is always free.
Ray

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: Will Fly
Date: 30 Oct 09 - 01:05 PM

Ian Chisholm, who made my classical and tenor guitars and mandolin, made himself a solid-body "mandocaster" some months ago - it looked spectacular and put some extra testosterone into our ceilidh band. He gave it to a nephew but, I'm sure could be persuaded to make another - or an acoustic mandolin for reasonable money. He's not a full-time professional luthier, but has built beautiful instruments for pleasure and profit all his life.

So a bit of shameless promotion for: Ian Chisholm's lutherie pages...

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 30 Oct 09 - 01:04 PM

I got a Crafter plastic bowl-back mando about 8 years ago
and tried to persevere gigging with it for a few years.
I eventually gave up on it because the built in passive piezo pickup
was too spikey sounding, and too difficult for various live venue mixer techs to get a decent stage tone.
I wasted further good £££$ on a Boss acoustic pre-amp, but that didn't make much positive difference..

Last time I dug it out of storage and dusted it down for a play at home,
I noticed the bridge was starting to lift a little and come unglued.

Though, it did sound good enough ok plugged into studio FX
in a more controllable recording environment.

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: theleveller
Date: 30 Oct 09 - 11:52 AM

Just a thought - if you're anywhere near Leicester on 14th or 15th November, pop along to Acoustic Avalon and spend a day trying a load out. Just a word of warning - stay away from the Buchanan's because there is no way you'll leave without one (I know, it happened to mrsleveller at Whitby one year).

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: mandotim
Date: 30 Oct 09 - 11:44 AM

Freshwater mandolins are very good; I have one that looks rather like a mini-stratocaster, with a round soundhole and two 'horns' on the body. Not very loud, but a great tone.
Tim

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: theleveller
Date: 30 Oct 09 - 11:32 AM

You may be better off buying a better quality instrument second-hand. Shops like Hobgoblin often have some, so it's worth enquiring. Ebay is OK if you can try them first - personally I wouldn't buy an instrument without first trying it (unless it's being built for you). Alao, rather than buying from a shop, you can often get a good deal from stands at festivals (OK, bit late for this year), especially if you go when they are packing up.

Incidentally, Dave Freshwater, who makes good quality handmade instruments is offering a new range of hand-built in=struments for the price of a second-hand one. He'll make you a mando for £330, but you may have to wait a few months for it. I used to have one of his citterns which was excellent. http://www.affordablefolkinstruments.com/

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: Will Fly
Date: 30 Oct 09 - 11:03 AM

I guess the rule is, play 'em and buy the one that sings to you.

Hi Tim - my philosophy as well. Couldn't agree more. I've seen the Ozark tenor advertised and they look like a reasonable instrument from what I can tell. I tried an Ashbury (unnamed, but it was made by Ashbury) in Hobgoblin and it wasn't half bad. I have both a tenor guitar and a mandolin, in matching woods, made for me by a local luthier friend, and they're superb instruments. But more than £500 as well.

By the way, I have this gold pig...

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: mandotim
Date: 30 Oct 09 - 08:22 AM

Hi Will; Ozark instruments are sourced from a number of factories. Some good, some not so good. Their higher end mandolins are usually good istruments (I have an F model that I wouldn't swap for a gold pig, despite having lots of pricier ones). Their little tenor guitar is another gem. I guess the rule is, play 'em and buy the one that sings to you.
The interesting development in Chinese and Korean instruments is the growth in small luthier businesses producing commissioned instruments for western retail. Eastman follow this model, and John Vickers in Cheltenham is commissioning Macaferri style guitars from China that all the jazz pros are raving about. The known provenance thing is also unreliable at times; no-one in their right mind would buy a '70s Gibson mandolin, as they were pretty much all rubbish, despite the name.
Tim

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: Will Fly
Date: 30 Oct 09 - 05:04 AM

Crafter is one of a number of cheaper-range instruments coming out of large factories in the Far East and Malaysia, and you can see a fair range of what's available in music chains like Hobgoblin. They're a very mixed bag, in my view, and - if you're a beginner in any field - take a more experienced player with you when choosing an instrument. I was looking at an Ozark resonator "Dobro" style guitar recently. Superficially, it looked very good value at around £300+, but a close-up inspection revealed a very interesting aspect of it: the metal resonator was very thin and almost pliable. The fundamental issue was that resonators are meant, by their very nature, to be solidly constructed so as to give the volume which is the purpose of their design.

The point here - and I'm sorry to be so long-winded in getting to it - is that the Chinese makers of the instrument had got it looking right, but had a basic misunderstanding of the nature of the guitar. This is something that you have to look out for when buying instruments such as mandolins from these factories. They can look very nice, and the spec says they're made from all the right sort of woods, but they're often just not "right" when you pick them up.

The other factor to watch out for is that makes such as Cort, Crafter, Ozark, Tanglewood and many other more famous names are manufactured by just a few large factories - and the makers often swap round where their particular brand is currently being made. I've had several discussions about instrument ranges with friends who own music shops in Sussex, and they have sometimes had to stop or start stocking an instrument make because the manufacturing source had changed and the spec had altered for the worse. This is not to say that makes like Ozark, etc. are not worth buying - merely to say that you have to be careful what you buy at the time that you're buying.

Better, IMHO, to save one's pennies and acquire an instrument with more of a known provenance - though this doesn't always help the would-be player. I also believe that price is not always an indication of quality and playability, but that's just a hobby-horse of mine!

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: mandotim
Date: 30 Oct 09 - 04:16 AM

I teach mandolin to a guy who has one of these. They are playable, although the intonation on this one is iffy, and the fixed bridge makes it hard to adjust. The main problem is using the Crafter as an acoustic mandolin. Most mandolin players play with others, typically guitars, fiddles, banjoes, squeezeboxes etc., and the Crafter just doesn't have the acoustic volume to 'cut through' in this situation, and this often leads to bad habits when a beginner tries to force more volume out of the instrument. Ok if you can use a small amp, but many acoustic sessions frown on this. The Crafter is really designed as an electro-acoustic, in the same way the thin-bodied Ovations are; not really meant for acoustic playing.
There are better options; Ozark make a nice range of solid top, back and sides A and F style mandolins (Chris Leslie from Fairport Convention uses an Ozark F as his main mandolin), and these are generally loud, sweet and easy to play. Spending a bit more gets you into the bottom end of the Eastman range; these are serious instruments, made in China in the traditional 'luthier' way. A budget of £500 would get you a very good instrument.
Tim

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: GUEST,Anonomandoguy
Date: 29 Oct 09 - 09:21 PM

I bought one as my first Mandolin, its a nice beginners instrument but sounds a little "thin" when amplified (mine is the passive model). Excellent value for money and I would recommend it. Unfortunately there is a big gap between moderate and high quality mandolins, your next one if you progress will cost perhaps 3-4 time this price, so a good option to learn with or if you are an occasional mandolin player. Nicely made, no finishing or hardware problems. Slightly unstable tuning is made better with heavy strings (e11's not e10's)).

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: GUEST,Mary V.
Date: 07 Jan 04 - 09:25 AM

So many positives about the crafter mandolin that I bought one on ebay the other nite. I will let you know what I think about it as soon as it arrives.

Thanks for all the feedback.
Mary V.

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: GUEST,Grab
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 11:19 AM

Don't know about the mandolins, but I got a Crafter as my first steel-string guitar, and I was happy with it. It's been superseded by a Lowden, but I've kept the Crafter for DADGAD stuff. It's all plywood, but with the right strings it sounds pretty decent.

Graham.

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 05:15 AM

The 180 in my posting had a "£" UK Pound sign in front of it - it might not show up on your screen - if there's nothing between the double quotes above then it obviously doesn't.

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: GUEST,Mary V
Date: 05 Jan 04 - 10:28 PM

Thanks for all the info on the crafter mandolin. When you put
180 for a price ...does that mean 180 American dollars or is it different over there. Thanks from Mary V.

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 05 Jan 04 - 06:36 AM

Has anyone tried the Crafter small-bodied travel guitar (about £180) ? It looks quite well made for the price, but what is the sound/tone like ?

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Dec 02 - 07:39 AM

They are superb. - just plug into an amp and they relly come alive.

Check out the guitar range. These are going to be the Ovations of the future

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: Lanfranc
Date: 24 Dec 02 - 07:33 AM

I have an Ozark electro-accoustic, which is similar, if not even from the same factory (in China or Korea?) and it was incredible value for the £120 I paid for it. The RRP is only £139, it is not the best-finished instrument in captivity, but the sound is eminently reasonable, especially amplified (even through a basic PigNose).

As a casual mandolinist it suits me fine - I'll buy a Gibson Loar when my skill warrants such expenditure!

My friend and client Doug Parry at John Alvey Turner lets me loose on his more exotic stock from time to time. It's nice to drool, but I value my marriage!

Alan

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: widowmaker
Date: 24 Dec 02 - 01:46 AM

I run a music shop in Huddersfield and have sold more Crafter mandolins than any other make. People seem to like the sound, and we sell them @ £150.00. I only play Stefan Sobell instruments, but then i went through countless mandolins etc to find him and now have a full stable of his instruments. I beleive if you are happy with what you hear you wont be swayed by other opinions. slan

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: Scabby Douglas
Date: 23 Dec 02 - 10:24 AM

Yeah - I just use guitar strings.

Means I can get individual strings if I want...

Tend to use a lighter gauge, as the Crafter scale length is slightly longer than you might expect...

Cheers

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 23 Dec 02 - 10:05 AM

I got one last year. It's no trouble to play, and it doesn't keep trying to turn over, as my ancient bowl-back does. It doesn't have that plunky sound you get with more expensive ones; although with my (now officiall recognised) hearing loss, I'm not really sure what it sounds like to everybody else. I played it amplified once recently, and turned down the tone ... but then I couldnt hear it!

I find the ball-ended strings are a bit of a problem -- or do you folks use guitar strings & cut 'em down?

Steve

Subject: RE: Guest Jim
From: GUEST,Jack
Date: 22 Dec 02 - 10:48 AM

Jim, everyone has to make a profit, if you got a hardshell case with your crafter. The dealer made about $70.00 and if you consider overhead plus floor planing. You got a deal! Hope you enjoy you crafter as much as I do mine.

Good Luck
Jack

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 22 Dec 02 - 12:04 AM

I just bought a Crafter for my dad for Christmas with a tiger maple top. He has always wanted a mandolin but would never buy one for himself....Only thing is, I haggled and got it for $325, then saw it on ebay for $179!! Was I taken?

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: Mr Furrow
Date: 20 Nov 02 - 07:26 AM

I've got one. Had it about 6 months and I really like it. I find the playability is better than anything else in this price range.

The comparison with an Ovation is a good one. If you're going to use it in acoustic sessions all the time it may not be a big enough sound for you. Plug it in and it's a dream.

Here's a shameless plug for you. You can hear my Crafter in action at MP3.com on Dennis Away! or on a rockier thing at No Change

All the best
Jon

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: Stu
Date: 20 Nov 02 - 06:03 AM

Thanks for all the advice!

Although I asked this question in July, I still haven't made my mind up. I'm going to have another look at the Crafter, and may try to haggle (it's been in the shop for eons).

You just can't rush these things.

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: mandomad
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 08:43 PM

BTW That last GUEST was me, I lost my cookie for some reason.


                         mandomad

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 08:01 AM

I bought a Crafter three years ago, loved it at first, especially when plugged in, but being heavy handed, I broke (you won't believe this) two full sets of strings during Whitby folk week 2000!!!
I carried on playing it for a while using differing gauge strings.
Then it fell out of favour, I went back to my ancient Kentucky.
       This year I put the the Crafter and some other cheapo mandolins in part-exchange for a Paul Shippey carved top, which is wonderful!!
       As a starter mandolin, the Crafter is fine value for money, just lacks tone acoustically, the fretting on virtually all the models I've tried is good. The action does vary between instruments.
Go for it stig, you won't find a better mandolin for the price.


                                  mandomad

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: Willie-O
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 07:11 AM

I should clarify that the one I tried had a built in pickup & 3 band EQ--don't know if that's the basic model or a step up.

W-O

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: Willie-O
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 07:10 AM

I tried one of these a year or so ago. I am generally unimpressed by Ovation-type molded fiberglass back critters, but I liked this one. Didn't try it plugged in but the playability was very good, nice sustain, overall sound OK. I'd definitely take a look if I had a prospect of a lot of plugged-in playing. Mandolins mike well, but if you want a pickup on one, it's best to get one that was designed around a pickup.

So these are common in the UK? Seems you have them for cheaper than the one I saw, which I think was $450 Cdn from a reputable but not cheap (Guess that would be 300 Euros or whatever). I'm sure these are made in the far East, aren't they--what happened to the nasty tariff? Or are they made in the EC?

We have a perennial shortage of decent mandolins in Canada, guess they've all gone south.

Willie-O

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 09:38 PM

Too thin for my liking and lacking in volume as an accoustic instrument but a wonderful little machine plugged in and they play well.

I suppose one could liken them to Ovation guitars.

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 07:06 PM

The only problem I know of with Crafter Mandolins is getting a half
way decent hard case,or even a good protection Gig Bag for 'em.But I wouldnt swop my lovely Docherty for one.

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: GUEST,Andy
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 06:54 PM

crafter used amped or acoustic is the best value for money around , i'ts loud enough for sessions accousticaly, and amped up is as good as you can get. it can be improved by customising, bt overall it's agreat all rounder

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: GUEST,guest GUESTSPOT
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 06:21 PM

RE Crafter Mandolins - If your talking up to £700 ( I think that sum was mentioned) go to Music Room Cleckheaton Yorks and get hold of an Oakwood teardrop special and stick a bug on it!! £500's worth of fabulousness that'll blow away yer Crafters and Ovations!! Yes... I got one and would only swap it for a Dudenbostel.....!!!
                               Regards to all SPOT

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From:
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 03:40 PM

hello from the states. So, If i were to buy a Crafter Acoustic Electric mandolin would I be happy? It would be my first mandolin and I would probably use it amplified.

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: GUEST,Scabby (uncookied) Doug
Date: 31 Jul 02 - 11:01 AM

Hold the bus on that price! You can almost certainly get a Crafter cheaper than that.

I bought mine a year ago for £125, and I think that at least 1 shop here in Glasgow still has them for under £150.

Let me check, and get back to you

Cheers

Steven

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: Stu
Date: 31 Jul 02 - 06:36 AM

Thanks for your help everyone.

The Crafter is priced at £170, so that seems quite reasonable, and to be honest, i can't really afford much more, and I wanted a mando that I can take anywhere and not worry about it as if it was my Hullah.

I traded my Samick in against the Hullah. It was a good starter instrument but the action wasn't quite to my taste but that's a minor gripe.

Good suggestion English Jon, but with my woodworking abilities I might just buy one!

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: nickp
Date: 31 Jul 02 - 04:51 AM

There is always the Ovation budget version - might be branded Applause - for about £300, cheaper woods/finish/machines but I believe it has the same pick up/EQ as the 'real thing' and is the same shape so you can't tell until you're close up. Mind you, it has a very narrow fretboard - not for big fingers.

Not played the Samick electro, EJ, but I have tried some of their straight acoustics and they seem reasonable. Don't know if there's anything in the £300 - £700 bracket for electro-acs (short of an acoustic one with added pickup).

I suspect that available cash comes into it for Stig (as for all of us!!!!) so the Crafter would probably do pretty well.

Happy playing whichever you choose

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: English Jon
Date: 31 Jul 02 - 03:48 AM

Try making a better one for the money!!!

Seriously, only real competitor below £700 is the Samick.

Cheers, EJ

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: GUEST,Scabby Doug - no cookie
Date: 30 Jul 02 - 07:33 AM

I've got one, and I like it.

nickp's point about acoustic playing is valid up to a point. Some all-wood acoustic mandolins do have a much bigger sound, but in the settings I use it - sessions and the like - it does fine.

I'd comment that the fretting on the one I have is spot-on. I had to take down the action a little, by lifting out the insert from the saddle and sanding the reverse side a little. It could do with coming down a little more, I think, but I don't want to bugger it up.

I like to use a light gauge string and because it takes ball-end strings, I can play around with different gauges.

It looks a lot better (i.e. flashier) than it probably is, but the machines work well, the neck is true and the fretting is sound. And the price was right for me.

Cheers

Steven

Subject: RE: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: nickp
Date: 30 Jul 02 - 06:56 AM

They are not really practical acoustically, being very 'thin'. Not tried one plugged in. Depends what you're after.

There's a number of similar models around, different brandnames but probably from the same factory. Price, from memory, is OK, they're all much of a muchness. Make sure it plays true for fretting and action. They are often supplied with the strings VERY widely spaced on the bridge/saddle almost giving 8 individual ones. Make sure you could adjust them or have them set sensibly in the shop.

Subject: Crafter Mandolins - any good?
From: GUEST,stigWeard
Date: 30 Jul 02 - 06:34 AM

I've seen a Crafter electro-acoustic mandolin, with the guitar-shaped body, and wondered if anyone had tried these and if so, are they any good?

Cheers,

stigWeard