I was so disappointed when I took this out of the bag. I sent a returns request stating that it looked like B-stock. It looks like it has been played for a year. The finish on the headstock appeared scratched and greasy. (The enclosed certificate and date of manufacture shows 29 June 2015). I was requested to send some photographs, but could not get the scratches to show up. The greasy muck cleaned away with soap and water on a very soft cloth and appears to have been an incredible excess of lubricating oil on the tuners. Having cleaned this away, it tuned up fine and sounds rather good. I chose the P1 - version 1 - because the neck and fretboard is more accessible than the P2 version with a slightly larger body. The acoustic sound may well be a bit weaker and quieter, but I'm only really concerned with the output to an amplifier. This is more playable. There are still some diagonal marks, but only on the rear of the headstock and appear to be from a buffing wheel that's been whizzed over too quickly. The back of the body also appears greasy/oily. I like the piezo transducers in this series of instruments and the active electronics with 3 band eq. (I am well impressed with the Irish Bouzouki). At this price, the overall features and playability are outstanding. The only alternative mandolin that looks good is out of stock for another 6 weeks - and doesn't have a piezo transducer. I would gladly fit one myself, but the type I want is not stocked here (or anywhere else I could find). This looks like the best practical choice and is the lowest priced mandolin with a transducer already fitted.
