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Hello Dave, I have been reunited with my Kay Mandolin. I was so nervous opening the box but shouldn't have been, well packed, well done.

Wow! I have wandered around the house with it and it looks good where ever I put it and it is easy to play too. So, so pleased. To top it all (i thought I spied it in one of the last photos) I have one of your stickers on the inside, signed! Dave you are gifted with great hands. Take care of yourself, it has been good doing business with you, be in touch in the future no doubt. Kind Regards,

Steve (Aylesbury, UK)

J�ai bien re�u la mandoline� ton travail est vraiment formidable !

Je n�ai plus qu�� apprendre � en jouer ߘ?

Cordialement, Pierre (Fr)

Hello Dave how are you?

I received the waldzither today, and I want to thank you for packing it very carefully, there is no damage at all. I tuned it and as soon as I started to play it I was amazed by its sound and the way it felt. I am really satisfied with your work, it was the easiest and cleanest delivery I ever got. Best wishes -Kaan (Turkey)

Hello Dave, Just a brief email to inform you that I received the waldzither today - thanks for packing it so well, as usual!.

Another great restoration. What a full tone, volume, and sustain it has for a relatively small instrument, I would put the levels at that of a good acoustic guitar!.

Thanks again - best wishes, Fred. (UK)

Thank you very much, all is perfect ! Paul (Fr)

Hi Dave,  The eagle has landed. (a mandriola) And what a beauty!

I absolutely love it. Amazing sound from such a light body,

like a bouzouki and a mando all in one, and the action is

easy too. Looking forward to getting better at it!

Thanks mate. Much appreciated. Ben. (UK)

Hi Dave, thank you very much for the mandoline, that I received Monday, but which I tried only yesterday. The sound is wonderful! Thank you for having packed it carefully, and for the plectra too!

Best regards and wishes, Agn�s (Paris)

Just a brief email to let you know that I have now received the bouzouki. Thanks for packing it so well - as usual.

What a great tone and sustain it has for a relatively inexpensive instrument !

(I've dropped the e strings down to d and been playing some clawhammer banjo tunes on it). Regards, Fred (UK)

Dear Dave, for Christmas my wife gave me a mandolin that she purchased from you. I want to thank you for the great job you did in restoring this instrument! I played the mandolin as a child, but for 50 years I've been a guitar player. When I unwrapped the present I was afraid it was going to be very difficult for me to play this tiny thing, but the action is great and my fingers have no problem working on the fretboard that's so much smaller than I'm accustomed to. And it plays in tune, which I care about more than anything else. It even stays in tune, which is a great surprise! I am having a wonderful time learning to play it. It hasn't been out of my hands for long since I got it.

Amy tells me that you were very helpful and shipped the instrument promptly. Thank you very much for all your expertise and assistance! Dan (St Louis, US)

Hello Dave, I just want to tell you how much I am enjoying playing your instrument. I have been taking weekly lessons ever since it arrived and it has been such a fun experience. Just wanted to send my appreciation-your workmanship has been commented on by all the teachers at the music studio where I go for instruction. Thank you! Charlotte (USA)

(New deep-bodied mandolin) Hi Dave,

WOW! I received my mandolin yesterday (Friday) early afternoon which is fast considering it came from France.

Thank you very much for building such a beautiful instrument. It has real clarity with the best sustain I have heard on a mandolin, and it is LOUD! The whole process has been fascinating: the photographic evolution of the instrument makes such a big difference, being able to see all of the processes, from two flat pieces of wood and a template to the finished mandolin.

The case is very nice too with a good sturdy build to it and nice looking. I am very glad that you offered me the choice of a case as I was slightly concerned about being able to find one for a deep bodied mando'.

I will write an initial review after I have had a couple of days with it playing Irish and Italian music, and I will send it to you if that is ok. I will then do another in a few weeks with hopefully a couple of videos showcasing it. David, (UK)

Received the flatback and the extra goodies this morning. Thank you! It plays so nicely. This will be my main practice instrument, although this now makes me the proud owner of 4 mandolins. I was having trouble with some of the chords, as I have such short fingers. I love that it is easy to play, that it smells of old wood, that other people have enjoyed it, and that it's pretty. Someone took the time to decorate it, kind of like wearing jewelry or men wearing ties. Again, many thanks. I suspect that I will be ordering from you in the future, when I improve and am in need of a better instrument.

Dear Dave, I'm one happy man ! The employee at the post-office told me that Frieda (your former No.493) had arrived on wednesday already ! You're a wizzard ...

The sustain and sweet and wide tone is moving when softly played with a chubby, rounded-off Dunlop 204 pick . Now, about three hours after unpacking and tuning to about 430 Hz by ear , she seems at ease on this hot day close to the river. Please accept a heartfelt thank you for your work .

Ekhard (France)

Hi Dave, Both mandolins tuned up now and playing nicely, both have a very good sound, so very pleased with my choices so far, thanks

Sarah (UK)

Hello Dave! I just received my Stridente mandolin in good condition. I'm so happy. Thank You!

I highly respect Your professional skills as luthier. Also the photos and description of the instruments are perfect, so you really know what you are going to buy. Best regards, Ilkka R. (Russia)

Hi Dave,  I received the de Meglio this morning, Jan 23, and couldn't be happier! It cleared U.S. customs in half a day

 and I would've had it on the 20th if I'd been home to sign for it. It sounds great and is quite easy to play (and hard to put down).

 Thank you again!  Best wishes,Rebecca  (USA)

Dave, Je viens de recevoir ma mandoline. Le colis est en excellent �tat. La mandoline est magnifique!Magnifique!Vraiment magnifique! C'est mon sentiment,quand je l'ai d�ball�e.Quel jour m�morable,magnifique,magnifique! Maintenant,je n'ai plus qu'� la faire vibrer ! Merci beaucoup pour la sangle et le m�diator! Avec mes plus vifs remerciements. Un musicien combl�. Merci Dave. Dominique (France)

Hi, Dave. I am very pleased to say that the mandriola arrived on Friday so I had the weekend to try it out. It looks beautiful and has a wonderful tone (even my wife says so, which is good going after I have been playing it so much!) - it is hard to believe you have got so much sustain out of a mandolin. It is also much easier to play than I had anticipated.

Again, thank you very much for the work you put into this. You have a very pleased customer. All the best for Christmas and the New Year, John. P. (UK)

Thank you very much, Dave. That will be great. The pictures of the instrument look fantastic. It has been fascinating to see it taking shape through the website. Thank you very much for your work. Best wishes, John. P (UK)

after following the construction of his new mandriola an mandolinhospital facebook page

Hi Dave, Mandolin arrived back safely an hour ago. BIG difference, I don't know how you do it! It is indeed a lot easier to play, and I am much happier with the strings that distance apart. I had become reconciled to the lack of volume on the A and E strings, but they seem to me to have much more body and sustain than they had before, esp the E.

I think I'll hold on to it, now that it has an action that suits me better - had thought of selling. Thanks so much for your work on it, and for getting it back to me in time for Sat! Best wishes,

The mandolin arrived a few days ago, and I've been too busy playing to write you thanks! I love it - it's more than I expected, and it sounds fantastic. It's the best mandolin I've ever played! Thank you very much for the detailed work, and I will be recommending you to anyone who asks.

Best wishes, Ayla (Canada)

Hi Dave - Just to let you know, mandolin arrived safely yesterday. I was surprised to get it so quickly - particularly as Monday was a Bank Holiday. What can I say? I'm absolutely delighted with this beautiful instrument. You've done a fantastic job of converting and restoring it. It looks great and it sounds wonderful. The case too is excellent.

I'm now trying to get to a level of musicianship worthy of such an instrument. I may well be back for that lefty deep bodied mandolin - if you could make me one in the future. Many many thanks. Best wishes, Graham (UK)

Hello Dave, just a brief email to let you know that the waldzither arrived this a.m.. Thanks for packing it so well. Good bridge job. And what a great tone and sustain it has - I can't stop picking it up and playing it!.

Best regards, Fred L. (UK)

Dave, they arrived today! (2 mandolins) Wow, the pics don't reflect how well it came out. It looks stunning.

I see what you mean about the tuners. I will have to get a winder. Any advice on storage for the bowlback? I do not have a case. The domeback fits in a hardshell A style case fine. Would a loose-fitting gigbag provide any sort of protection?

Once again, thank you so much. Paula (USA)

The German Domeback arrived safely this morning thank you. I am delighted with it. Gently acclimatizing it to pitch and action - it has a nice sound and looks well after the restorations. Regards, Doug (UK)

Hello Dave, the mandolin arrived safely today - and it's wonderful.

Thank you again for sending it so quickly - and for your good work. Keep it up - these are absolutely beautiful instruments.

Kindest regards, Joan (Scotland)

I hope you are doing great :') i wanted to thank you ( i don't know how can i thank you enough ) for this new friend you gave me.

At last Waldzither safely arrived to me from all worrying travelling experience which it took. Sounds brilliant! And of course it altered my imagination more than i expect.

Your amazing work and effort on this instrument has a lot to say, and i guess your work will sing within it so well... Best wishes Dave!.. Cheers...

Newly built Mandolin: Hi Dave, the mandolin arrived safe and sound this morning. I've been giving it a good rattle for the past hour! There's a great sound from it, lovely and sweet and full, with a nice balance between top and bottom. Well done, it's been worth the wait. I hope you have a great summer and enjoy your trip in the West. All the best, Se�n. (Ireland)

Hello Dave, the mandolin arrived today and I must say, not disappointing at all. It was much much better than I expected. Really enjoying it. Also, I must commend you on your really excellent packaging. My instrument came in safe and sound. I will be visiting your site again for more great deals! best regards, Fuzz (UK)

Hello Dave, Mandolins arrived this morning. Wow, that was quick. French post is good by the sound of it. Another good thing, the parcel didn�t go via customs (or perhaps they just x-rayed it), which is great as they tend to open the boxes and start asking questions as soon as they see wooden items inside. Putting �goods returned to Australia� on a label was a good idea.

My compliments to the amount and quality of work done, I am very impressed. Thank you very much! I am thrilled with how Calace feels and sounds, you have turned it into a very special instrument. I can�t stop playing it. It sounds better than any mando I ever played.

Silvestri is not quite in the same league, though, (it never supposed to be, I guess). But I must admit, you have revived an old wreck completely and it is an eye candy. Very impressive craftmanship throuhout. Once again, thanks heaps Dave for the excellent work. I will have no hesitation sending you more work and recommending you to everyone! Well done.

Kind Regards, Victor (Australia)

Hi Dave, the instrument has arrived safely (GREAT job of packaging by the way) and is crying out to be played. I will just need to tune it first, and as the bridge is not straight (towards 8:10) maybe I need to move that first (?). In which case is there anything I should know beforehand (I don't suppose it's glued)? I would hate to hurt the table.

The case is great too and I really appreciate your work. Thank you and kind regards, Jennifer (Paris)

So there you are, and he loved the case too, it was very well packed and it has been a pleasure to do business with you. Many thanks I will write an appreciation on the website

Kind regards and bravo for your workmanship. Margaret G (France)

Hello David, I received the waldzither yesterday! It looks even better than I had hoped! I can see that quite a bit of care was given to the packing as well.

My mom's 80th birthday was approaching and she mentioned rather wistfully that she had a Waldzither as a child and would love to be able to play one again. After months of shopping online and in town I came up with just a few old, beat up instruments. Eventually, when online, I clicked on a link to this site and found a Waldzither! I showed the photo to my mom and she exclaimed "that's EXACTLY the model I had as a child". Unfortunately, this was not available. It was another customers restored work. I contacted David and requested he keep me in mind if another of these became available. To my delight, he said that he spoke to the customer and then proceeded to make arraignments for me to purchase the one we had originally seen in the photo.
The quality of work and care given to the detail are a testament to David's craftsmanship. He truly is a gifted artist. The "shipping" box that was sent was tailor made for the Waldzither and the care in packing was superb.
I can't tell you how happy my mom was when she opened the box, took out the instrument and began playing. There wasn't a dry eye in the room. And I can't express how much I appreciate the quality of work, artistry and satisfaction I have had in purchasing my moms instrument from David.

Ken G. (USA)

Hello Dave, Just to let you know that I received the mandolin today (better than the UK postal service!). All intact - thanks for packing it so well.
I'm really pleased with the instrument, the action is very good and easy and the tone and volume is superb, even on the low strings!. I have a few other instruments, and it makes some of them sound like 'cigar boxes'. I hope to buy from you again in the future - perhaps a mandriola, which I haven't seen before going to your web site, although I do have a mandola. Fred (UK)

Hi Dave, The Brambilla arrived today. She looks absolutely wonderful and completely rejuvenated. I'd like to thank you for all your hard work and more important, the TLC you lavished on her. It's a superb bit of craftsmanship.

Thank you so much! Best regards, Gill (UK)

Hi Dave , Just to let you know it arrived in one piece yesterday! Many thanks � I�m over the moon with it. Yours Yvonne L (UK)

Good morning! I recieved the laud today. It is just beautiful! You did a very good job of packing. I can hardly wait to see my son play this beautiful instrument. Thanks again. Laura (Spanish Laud UK)

I did receive the mandolin, in perfect condition. Absolutely lovely instrument. Thank you so much for the careful restoration, it looks beautiful and plays with such a clear tone. In the future, would you be able to recommend where I may purchase strings when they do need replacement? Thank you so much, and I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas! Best regards, Greta (UK)

Hi Dave, the mandolin arrived today, and looks and sounds beautiful! Thanks so much for your work. Phil E (USA)

Dear Dave, Mureda mandolin arrived safe today. I meant to write you as soon as I received it, but don't blame me for not having been able to stop playing it for 2 hours! It usually takes me an hour or so before stop playing once I hold mandolin, but with this one... I will get into serious trouble! I like the sound very much. Clear, joyful treble side and rich bass with no buzz. I'm afraid that my English is not good enough to explaining the sound. Louder than Suzuki I was using. The "F holes" on the side might have something to do with it.

This mandolin is easier for me to hold the instrument and play. I was surprised how easy the fingering is with the Mureda mandolin. Action is perfect too. Comparing to the force I had to put into my fingers to play the Suzuki, it's like nothing. I feel like I suddenly became a better player, 2 or 3 steps forward. Well, at least it was useful for muscle training of left hand fingers.

I really appreciate your great work. You are wonderful, Dave! Now I have a terrible feeling that I will come back to you for another mandolin in the near future. What people at the Mandolin Cafe call "MAS" seems to have caught me. Or,,, I can even find another mandolin for my friend and keep the Ceccherini for myself! I'd better work harder and save up.

Thank you so much, Aya (Japan)

Yippee !!! It arrived today. It is sooo sweet. Guess what I am wanting one now. I want a pretty one so will keep on looking on Ebay. But if you are doing one up keep me informed. Hate all this bidding stuff. Us oldies cant take the pressure !!!!. Again thanks and we love the little canvas cover

A great touch that!! (Barbara, Leeds, UK)