The A5 special has even more highly figured wood the the A5 Deluxe and white/black/white side binding, and flowerpot style headstock inlay.

Tone-wise I'm glad I don't have to choose between the two, both are world class and awesome. This Special had a slightly fatter tone than the Deluxe. The Deluxe is a little brighter.

Due to some scratches that appear to have been done during customs inspection this has been reduced by £800 from £9495 to £8695. Email me for photos of the scratches.

Awesome! Impeccable workmanship, unbeatable traditional looks and sound to die for. Red spruce top, flamed sugar maple back and sides, Waverly tuners, radiussed ebony fretboard with 28mm nut width, ebony bridge, raised pickguard and abalone and mother of pearl headstock inlay. The sound is very deep, full and rich with great volume and projection. It responds to the most aggressive bluegrass or the gentlest caress, they don't get any better than this. With hard case.

Another stunning mandolin from Tom. Adirondack top, flamed maple back and sides, triple bound top, back and pickguard, ebony fretboard with 28.5 mm nut width, ebony bridge, engraved James tailpiece, abalone headstock inlay and a TKL case.

The sound is incredible, loud and full with that remarkable mid range pop that only the best f hole mandolins have. It is remarkably responsive, one of the loudest chops I've heard but sweet and resonant when asked. This is up there with the best mandolins I've ever heard.

A gorgeous blonde top A4 from Tom. Its in Red (Adirondack) spruce and the most beautiful flamed red maple and has an ebony fretboard, pickguard and bridge, engraved James tailpiece, triple bound top, back and headstock, abalone inlay and logo, rope-style rosette and a TKL case.

The sound is everything a great oval hole mandolin should be, rich and resonant with deep and sonorous bass notes, sweet and complex mids and clear, sparkling trebles. And non of the boom that comes with some lesser oval holes.

SOLD.