Quality Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable? i don't have or even have the income to buy but for the truth to someone that really loves to play the mandolin the quality and design is outstanding and the pride that it took to put an marvelous instrument together you will never be disappointed or have any regrets Reliability How has it stood up over time? the reliability like no other my friends havethe loarand i am blessed to have a friend to let me play such great instrument it stand out over time and the older it gets the better it sounds to me and i would be honored to just have one of these loars in my hands Overall Your general opinion of this product. i believe that they go beyond existence to build and please anyone from beginners or professionals that love music and want to play there favorite instruments would rate this mandolin at it highest instruments Playability and Feel How does it feel, Heavy, Fast, Chunky? How was the neck? Are the controls easy to get to while playing? i have played some smooth playing instruments dont get me wrong im not the best at playing but i know a good instrument when i pick it up and i would not say it if it wasn't true it plays really great and easy to chord i love it it is not heave but not light neither you will never notice the waight when you start playing it Tone Bright and snappy? Dark and smooth? Were the pickups hot, mellow, thick, thin? verry bright and stands out and it does get noticed when it is in the case or when you are playing it everyone wants to look and pick it up and play it Finish How did the stain or paint job look? well i cant say anything about everyone that is out there but i will tell you that my friend has one and it was made in the thirties and it looks great still and i love playing it that is my very best and honest opinion on that you don't have to take my word on that just go out and pick up a few and you will see that it is true Action How was the action out of the box? wonderful action and unbelievable

Quality Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable? A few of the details are a little rough like the finish inside the scroll and a seam in the binding at the 19th fret but I really didn't expect a Gibson F-5 for this price either. Reliability How has it stood up over time? Less than a month old so I'll have to wait. Overall Your general opinion of this product. Overall I like this mandolin. It seems to be a nice value for an F-style mandolin at this price point. Playability and Feel How does it feel, Heavy, Fast, Chunky? How was the neck? Are the controls easy to get to while playing? Feels and plays well. My wife continues to comment about the goofy grin on my face when I'm walking around the house playing this thing. Tone Bright and snappy? Dark and smooth? Were the pickups hot, mellow, thick, thin? Bright and crisp. I think the VM-600 would have a better tone but the VM-500 is much better than I expected. Finish How did the stain or paint job look? It's poly but it's not bad. Action How was the action out of the box? Out of the box action was good. I was very surprised. I still haven't taken it by my luthier to b set up and it's very playable.