My old buddy Tom Hicks has really outdone himself this time. It's his third mandolin, and a winner on all levels. Tom obviously has a handle on sound. All three of his mandolins have had that deep, smooth, woody tone... reminiscent of the Loars we have heard. He gets the nice bell tone up the neck and good volume as well. It has the woody pop that we have come to identify with professional F style mandolins.

This is a varnished instrument, with no shortcuts taken. The craftsmanship in excellent with only those little endearing flaws common to one-maker handmade mandolins. You'd be very hard pressed to find a better sounding instrument in this price range.It's Tom's best, with more to come. $4950 with hardshell.