Black # blonde

[Brad Weiss]

You can only imagine how miserable I am - because I have only seen these pictures, and still have to wait (days, hours, minutes, seconds...) to play this striking beauty

[Brad Weiss]

with these wonderful features

[Brad Weiss]

Not just a James tailpiece, but some pretty special quilted maple . . #.

[Brad Weiss]

Extremely cool dolphin holes- and note the way the curve of the fretboard end flows from the line of the soundholes

[good_ol_al_61]

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!

(Sorry to scream like that)

I'm happy for you. These pics will get a heap of comments and deservedly so.

Congrats!

[Lane Pryce]

Congratulations Brad!! Very nice and very retro indeed. When do you expect to receive it? Lp

I had to come back for another comment. You and Andrew have really exemplified what having a custom built mandolin is all about with this one.

Your new mandolin is something to behold. I hope it wildly exceeds your expectations. Lp

[Brad Weiss]

And the New Yorker inlay on the fretboard pulls the whole thing together, I think.

[Brad Weiss]

Wow! Folks are sitting here just WAITING for this mandolin to get made - almost as much as I have been! (Look at the timing of these posts) Here's the last one for now . . .

[Brad Weiss]

Let me add - some will note the inspiration for this design in a lovely Smart mandolin owned by our own STERNArt, as well as the Monteleone styling of the soundboard. #It's one thing to be inspired, but the execution and artistry owes EVERYTHING to one Andrew Mowry. #I can't imagine a more productive working relationship with a craftsman than this. Andrew listened to everything I had to say, with patience and insight, and suggested some fine points that fully realized EXACTLY what I was looking for. #

Given his attention to detail, and creative sensibilities I'll bet he put the tone I asked for in there too.

But as I say - I'm just miserable cause I can't play it yet! (Andrew sends it out later this week... a review will follow!)

[good_ol_al_61]

Brad:

You're right. Look at my sig line. Chris is making me a stunning A and I hope it is as unique as yours. It will be at least Summer or early fall when I get mine. Can I borrow yours until then? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[SternART]

VEDDY nice!!!

[John Hill]

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!



Too funny, that's exactly what I said as I scrolled down the pics.

Mmmmmmm....mandolicious....(drooling Homer Simpson sound)

Nicely done Mr. Mowry!


John

[Brad Weiss]

VEDDY nice!!!
Well I would hope YOU would like it!! #High praise from a fine artist such as yerself, Mr Stern.

[Chris Biorkman]

Very nice and so creative. Just makes me jones for mine that much more.

[Mark Franzke]

Every time I think I've seen 'em all, something like this turns up. A real work of art!

[craigtoo]

Awesome design... HOLY COW...!!

[jasona]

Drop dead gorgeous!

[JEStanek]

Double ewe Oh Double ewe. Wow. Great style. Stunning execution. To me, that screams - crisp! Congratulations to Andrew and you.

Jamie

[fwoompf]

That headstock is awesome. What kind of strings are those?

[Hans]

Lovely mandolin Brad. Andrew, beautiful...aren't A's fun!

[Eric F.]

Holy Jamoley!

[amowry]

Thanks for the kind comments folks! This was was fun, as they all are. Thanks Hans for the tips on finishing blacktops, and thanks to Brad for the inspiration. I just put all his ideas together. Without inspired customers I'd just keep building the same thing over and over!

Oh, the strings are the JM-11 LaBellas from jazzmando.com.

[Bill James]

I love the way the headstock follows the "Michael Lewis design" tailpiece shape.

Serious eye candy! Tres vivas por Mowry!

[kyblue]

Wow!

Amazing how much difference a sharp headstock makes. That one is awesome.

Paula

[tattiemando]

Lovely mandolin, beautiful in every way. Andrew Mowry continues to amaze me, as his lutherie skills are a joy to see. I am sure this mandolin has a fantastic tone.

[j-hill]

This goes beyond an instrument to a real work of art. #I love the contrast of the blackface and natural quilted maple and the small details of tailpiece/headstock and fretboard/soundholes are outstanding.

Congratulations to Brad and Andrew. #Wonderful work.

Jason

[Skip Kelley]

Awesome! An absolute work of art in the highest. Clean as a pin! I love those dolphin sound holes. What kind of tone does a mandolin have with those type of holes? Enjoy!!

[stevem]

WOW! It looks fantastic.

[Brad Weiss]

Thanks Hans for the tips on finishing blacktops, and thanks to Brad for the inspiration. I just put all his ideas together.

Oh sure, Andrew let ME take all the credit!! Ha!! It was SO much fun coming up with ideas- and even more fun seeing Andrew materialize them


Without inspired customers I'd just keep building the same thing over and over!


Somehow I don't think anyone will mind - but you - if you keep building the same thing over and over!

[Michael Wolf]

I can only agree, that this is one extraordinary beautiful Mando.
Can you, Brad and/or Andrew, tell us, if this mando is made for a specific character of tone or for a specific musical style? Thanks

All the Best
Michael

[Brad Weiss]

Michael-

I mostly play jazz, and wanted this mando to reflect what is, for me, the height of the "jazz era" - so I told Andrew to be inspired by Art Deco motifs and design elements. #The tone I'm looking for is the nice,warm, rounded, articulate sound of jazz - and I'll find out soon how well Andrew nailed that! Everything else is perfect, so I am VERY optimistic!

[JWoodard]

She's absolutely gorgeous!

[Brad Weiss]

Here's (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=15;t=41947) a review of this same Mowry, fresh from Bend, Oregon!

[Laura Leder]

Just beautiful, Brad!
All I can say is "Wow".
Hope you let us hear how it sounds once you get it!
Laura http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Brad Weiss]

Just beautiful, Brad!
All I can say is "Wow".
Hope you let us hear how it sounds once you get it!
Laura http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Um, here it is (http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=5025249&q=hi) in case you missed the link.

Yeah, wow is right!

[Steve Davis]

I want one. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif