My good friend Tom Hicks has just completed his fourth mandolin, and it's a gem. Tom is the ultimate sonic researcher. Each of his four mandolins have sounded very good, with #3 being an especially high grade professional sounding instrument. Number four is the best yet, and the craftsmanship has advanced commensurate with the sound. Tom's work is excellent, and his French polished varnish finish is classy to be sure. The playability is also outstanding on this instrument.

This instrument is not for sale, as Tom needs to keep a mandolin to play for himself, but numbers five and six are underway. Next year Tom will retire from his ski patrolman duties to build mandolins and fiddles full time.