I just saw this on the Whistle board and thought someone here might be interested.
Wow, for a second there I thought you were becoming the third person here in the last 2 days to offer a mando—>whistle/flute trade!
Still picking the Fullerton, Paul? Mine is currently a wee bit neglected due to the JBovier’s radiused fretboard feeling a tad more comfy to play. On the other hand, it will be going to Ireland with me next vacation. It performed admirably in the pubs last year!
As for the Michael Kelly in the other thread, I’m not a fan of those myself having played a few. That said, they are above average for starter instruments and it seems like a perfectly fair swap to me. If anything, the person on the receiving end of the mando may get slightly the better of the deal.
I have to agree with that. I was on the receiving end of a mandolin as a trade for a flute. I’m very lucky.
oSpeaking of a radiused fretboard, an online buddy and old whistle customer has offered to refret my Fullerton with slightly heavier wire and to radius the fretboard. He’s a pro luthier, not some amateur. He’s talking about doing the work in exchange for another whistle. What do you think?
Here’s a pic of my as-yet unfinished newest toy (the one on the left):
It’s a 4 string electric mandolin: a mini-me Les Paul clone 