Buster

2010 Ratliff R-5 “F-style” mandolin

Body: Spruce top, maple back and sides, tone bar bracing, “Sweet Tea” sunburst finish
Neck: Maple/Ebony
Hardware: Allen “flowerpot” tailpiece, Ebony bridge, Pearl nut, Schaller tuners, Pierce ebony arm rest
Electronics: Fishman M-300 Nashville series

Me with Audey Ratliff, after purchasing Buster.

Made by master luthier Audey Ratliff in his shop in Church Hill, TN. Audie made Adam Steffy’s first pro mandolin, and Ratliff is one of the best deals out there on a hand-carved, small shop solid wood mandolin. “Buster” was my father’s nickname, and seemed appropriate because the first week after I took possession of it I cracked the top while putting it into the case after a TV appearance in Knoxville. I called Audey from the road in a panic and he talked me down off the ledge and through the process of working some epoxy into the wound until I could get back to his shop for a proper fix. We were back on the road a couple days later and I didn’t have the time to leave it with him for a cosmetic touch up, so the battle scar is still visible. Great projection, beautiful woody “chop,” and records beautifully…every engineer I’ve ever worked with comments on this. Highly recommended.

Buster Beta testing D’Addario’s NBM11540 Nickel Bronze Mandolin Set, Custom Medium, .11.5-.40.

Buster Buster Sid Griffin and I comparing our Ratliffs in London, England.Buster

Buster Buster Buster Buster Buster Playing Buster with Loco Vibrato

Buster With Akira Otska (he’s holding Buster, I’m holding John Duffey’s F-7).