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The World of CNC
Computer Numerical Control (CNC), a process which uses a computer to operate tools like mills and routers, has taken hold in the instrument building world over the past…
4 min read
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Testing Mandolin Topwood
Luthiers for centuries have agreed that the wood on the top of an instrument affects its tone far more than any other part of the instrument. Spruce is…
4 min read
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100+ Year-Old Mandolin Restoration
This Oscar Schmidt mandolin, built in the late 19th or early 20th century, came to me several months ago in virtually unplayable condition. Years of string tension had…
4 min read
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Combining Tradition and Modern Technology
I’ve completed the first significant step in my 2025 mandolin build! Rough construction of a mandolin neck involves 12 distinct steps including cutting and squaring the main shaft,…
4 min read
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2025 Mandolin build!
This month, I started building a batch of archtop mandolins to be completed by winter, 2025. They’ll feature Loar-inspired arching and graduations for that punchy tone that cuts…
4 min read
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Guitar Bracing Experiment: Final Conclusions!
My experiment with two guitar bracing systems has come to an interesting conclusion. Both guitars have great volume and projection, and a strong bass tone. The Martin-style scalloped…
4 min read
What’s On My Bench
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