What’s On My Bench

  • 2027 Mandolin Build Begins with Neck Pains!

    2027 Mandolin Build Begins with Neck Pains!

    I’m excited to have started my next batch of 6 mandolins with a goal of completing them in spring, 2027. Four of this batch are already sold and…

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    4 min read

  • Co-creating beauty

    Co-creating beauty

    While most of the instruments I build follow traditional styling, from time to time a customer has a vision for something out of the ordinary. Two mandolins I…

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    4 min read

  • Restoring a Super Orpheum No. 1 Banjo

    Restoring a Super Orpheum No. 1 Banjo

    This Rettberg & Lange Super Orpheum No. 1 tenor banjo found its way to my shop in rough shape after well over 100 years of making music.  Man…

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    4 min read

  • Graduates of the class of 2026

    Graduates of the class of 2026

    Graduates of the Class of 2026 I delivered the first 2 mandolins of my 2026 build to their owners last weekend.  It’s been a longer road than planned,…

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    4 min read

  • Headed for the finish line

    Headed for the finish line

    The first mandolins of my 2026 batch are finally ready for finishing! They were strung up and their owners played them “in the white,” after which I made…

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    4 min read

  • They look like guitars!

    They look like guitars!

    Last week my guitar building students completed their 12th class. Everyone now has a completed and closed guitar body and they’re working hard at finishing and fitting the…

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    4 min read

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