In the mandolin world, the name "Nugget" is synonymous with the utmost level of quality. Every Nugget mandolin is built entirely by master luthier Mike Kemnitzer, and every effort is taken to assure each aspect of the instrument is of the highest quality. The mandolins speak for themselves! Each Nugget is an inspiring instrument with its own unique character, more than capable of pushing your playing lightyears ahead.
The Nugget design is steeped in tradition. Over the years, Mike has had the great fortunate to study, repair, and learn from Loar-signed mandolins of the 1920s. These iconic instruments are a tremendous influence, and Mike seeks to capture some of their spirit and character in each of his mandolins.
No matter what you're building, the surest way to positive results is to start with the right materials, and Nugget has a reputation for using only the finest aged tonewoods. Over the years, Mike amassed quite the collection of Spruce and Maple, and he only uses old, properly-seasoned wood that is exceptionally resonant and holds up to his exacting standards.
Perhaps the greatest strength of Nugget mandolins is the meticulous care Mike puts into tuning the top and back plates. His goal is to maximize the tone quality, responsiveness, and balance. What he's able to achieve is impressive. Every Nugget rings clear and true all the way down the fingerboard, and each note blooms with complexity and musicality. These are serious mandolins for serious players.
Handmade in Central Lake, Michigan, in 1988, this A Deluxe is #125 and features an oval soundhole. While Mike contends that he's made many oval-hole Nuggets, they seem to be exceedingly rare. The oval-hole mandolin is praised for its sweeter, rounder sound, and Nugget delivers the oval design like no other. It has a sharp neck angle, and the top of the mandolin is flatter than Nuggets with f-holes.
Oval-hole mandolins are sometimes criticized as too tubby for single-note melodies, but that's not the case with this A Deluxe! Like many oval holes, its warm, woody voice sounds amazing for strumming chords, but it still articulates melodies and single notes beautifully. While its sound is more balanced with softer attack, it still projects across the room and has a throaty quality like an F-model. This Nugget gives you many of the positives of an oval hole, but without the downsides. When you consider the overall workmanship, that should come as no surprise. This A Deluxe was built from the finest materials available by one of the most skilled luthiers on the planet.
This 1988 Nugget A Deluxe has been played over the years, so it shows some wear and signs of use, especially on the tailpiece and the back of the neck at open position (see photos). The top shows some faint pick wear, and there are some minor scuffs around the edges of the body. There are also minor finish imperfections around the intricate inlays on the peghead. It is freshly set up with polished frets and Martin Monel-wound strings, so it plays nicely and produces a robust sound. The scale length measures 13-7/8", and the nut width is 1-3/32".
This 1988 Nugget A Deluxe includes its original case as well as a Calton case (gray exterior/green interior).