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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…
4 min read
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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…
4 min read
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The figured faces of maple
In my current mandolin build, I’m using 4 different species of “figured” maple. Each one has its own character, but all are so beautiful, they’re a thrill to…
4 min read
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They Have a voice!
This week I strung up the first two mandolins of my current batch “in the white” (with no binding or finish). I’m using a new source of Sitka…
4 min read
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Carving Mandolin Tops
Of all the various parts that go into building a mandolin, the top has the most significant influence on tone quality. If you build it too stiff, the…
4 min read
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Restoring Family Heirlooms
Restoring instruments with family significance brings a real sense of purpose and satisfaction to my repair business. This week I worked on two guitars that belonged to the…
4 min read
What’s On My Bench
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