A superb modern mandolin from Colorado luthier Tom Hicks, built in March of 2012, featuring expert workmanship and high grade materials, with lovely warmth and precision. The fully bound F style body has a two piece highly flamed maple back and sides, and a finely grained spruce top finished in black; equipped with an adjustable ebony bridge, engraved tailpiece, and ebony armrest; some finish wear/binding shrinkage present with corresponding finish roughness, with surface scratching (notable on back near bass side bout), with filled holes from other tailpiece on bottom/side, The three piece, flamed maple neck has a 13-7/8" scale length extended ebony fingerboard, with 1-1/8" wide pearl nut, bound ebony peghead overlay with gorgeous inlaid floral pearlwork and logo atop, equipped with engraved plate geared tuners; some binding shrinkage present around peghead and fingerboard, with some discoloration/a few chips.