III mandolin

09/04/2026

For those of you who know about my obsessive mandolin measuring project, the mandos in these cases will get me to 250 instruments! That's a lot of measuring and data and I think has filled in a lot of gaps me on how these things work. I have been slowly implementing some of this and the instruments that have been born in that time are the ones I've been the most proud of. I, also, have a ton more to learn. While a deeper understanding has yielded some valuable insights, it has also led to more and better questions. I am very much looking forward to sharing it down the road.

09/03/2026

#77 ...

08/04/2026

iii #76 is going to its new home today. It's got a really clear and articulate voice, very punchy and responsive, you just have to look at it and it starts singing. Loud too. This is the one that got most of the filming for the Lutherie Academy F-style building course that is upcoming. I hope I get to see this one from time to time because I think it's only going to get more incredible.

08/03/2026

I had some extra ears (and instruments) come by today for some mandolin tasting. This was a nice little group to work through...
Mandos, from left to right are: Pomeroy 2 point, iii #76, iii #67, Gibson Derrington signed Master Model, iii $47.

07/30/2026

https://youtu.be/Z0MCiFKjx6Y
Here's a little Loar geeking out with Emily Wilson for her The Karasik Mandolin project.

Geoff Burghart playing Lady Be Good on the January 5, 1923 Lloyd Lo...

07/28/2026

I had some good light in the shop last night working on the mandolin for the Lutherie Academy F-style building video course. Big thanks to Punch Brothers for putting out a great new record "The Unsung Adventures of Punch Brothers" to listen to. It's been INSTRUMENTAL. (Noam Pikelny I hope I did that right! I love that you are finally getting equal time singing as other members of the band!).
Maybe you already know all about french polish, if you don't, this is a little bit about it...

07/11/2026

"Let's get to work. There's not a whole lot left... but there is... a whole lot left". Introducing the finishing stage of the build for the video. This back is stunning... Lutherie Academy

07/09/2026

The building video for Lutherie Academy is going well, even if a day of filming looks like something exploded! I glued the last pieces on this instrument, #76, this morning. A bit more work to do before a client neck assessment tomorrow. This one is less than 3 weeks from being born, with 2 more hot on its heels!

07/06/2026

The South Park Bluegrass Festival was a really, really fun time. Despite a small altercation between my vendor tent and one spectacular gust of wind, the experience was full of good vibes, good music and just a great way to celebrate being alive in a great place like Alma, CO. Looking forward to next year already!