Lewis octave mando

[Michael Lewis]

Highly figured California black walnut and Alaskan sitka spruce.

[Michael Lewis]

The back

[Michael Lewis]

Alaskan sitka spruce

[Michael Lewis]

Full length back pic.

[Michael Lewis]

This has been the result of influences and ideas mostly from John Monteleone, Hans Brentrup, and Paul Lestock. I find inspiration from many other makers, and just remember, there is nothing new under the sun. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif We all borrow ideas and try our best to make them our own.

I recently returned from the Healdsburg Guitar Festival, and just a few weeks before that the Montreal Guitar Show. If you would like to get some "new" ideas get yourself to such an event. I participated as an exhibitor but you can get as much input from being a spectator if you keep your eyes and ears open.

[steve V. johnson]

Hey, Michael,

Thanks for posting this! I thought I got from the text you posted in the CBOM section that this was something that a customer asked for, do I have that right? Or is it one that you made from the influences that you list here, without a particular commission?

What are the scale length and nut width, please?

The more mandolin luthiers building octaves the happier I am. And Florentine octaves are far too rare, so I'm delighted to see this one. I'd love to hear it, too!

I get new ideas from festivals, they're a wonderful source of inspiration. Fortunately (I think), I get more ideas about how to play these things than about the things themselves, but they all do flow.

Splendid work, thanks!

stv

[david blair]

Michael,
That is absolutely beautiful! You never cease to amaze me with your incredible workmanship. You all should see his guitars!
I'm so happy every time I play my Lewis F5, the tone keeps getting sweeter.

Thanks

[Steve Davis]

Beautiful. I want one!

[Hans]

Lovely Michael!

[bradeinhorn]

that is gorgeous. the f holes remind me of dolphins.

[labraid]

Soundholes.. I was going to say Baroque cello, (but I think I'm biased).
Stunning shapes, Michael. I'm in love with your peghead design..
Any chance we could listen to this one?

[Skip Kelley]

Awesome! Everything about the instrument is classy!

[sgarrity]

WOW!!! Absolutely stunning!

[sunburst]

I picked up a lot of the influences at first glance (but then I look for things like that) but the overall look says "Michael Lewis" to me. Looks great, wish I could hear it!

[otterly2k]

Magnificent.

I echo the request for a sound clip if possible...

[Skanderbeg]

Michael, the owner of this beautiful OM was kind enough to let me play it to my hearts content. The workmanship is impeccable and the sound is exceptional. He waited a while for it, but it was obviously worth it.

[mandopete]

Michael - that instrument is simply stunning! This is one of the coolest OM designs I have ever seen and now you have ignited my dormant M.A.S.

Thanks.

[Michael Lewis]

It is indeed gratifying to post stuff here on the Cafe, we are all interested in this sort of thing or we wouldn't be here I guess. Thanks for the comments folks.

Steve V Johnson, in answer to your question regarding the origin of design, both! The instrument was ordered as an F style and I was given a free hand as far as design went. The scale is 23 1/2" (59.7 cm), I will have to go look at the spec sheet for the nut width, but it is a little bigger than a mandolin. I'll be back tonight with that information.

[cooper4205]

that looks awesome, Michael. do you have any close-ups of the headstock?

[fwoompf]

That's the coolest thing I've seen all week! Dang!

[jasona]

Make it with a scale length of 20" and I'll take two! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Wonderful piece of art that Michael.

[Big Joe]

Michael...You never fail to amaze me! It certainly does have a Michael Lewis vibe to it. Keep up the good work!

[Fretbear]

It's perfect....

[MDW]

I usually don't care for an f-5 shape on something as large as an octave mandolin, but the gracefulness of the lines on that octave have overcome all of those reservations. Beautiful.

[steve V. johnson]

Michael Lewis replied to me, "Steve V Johnson, in answer to your question regarding the origin of design, both! The instrument was ordered as an F style and I was given a free hand as far as design went. The scale is 23 1/2" (59.7 cm), I will have to go look at the spec sheet for the nut width, but it is a little bigger than a mandolin. I'll be back tonight with that information."

Thanks! Wonderful collaboration. I like it better and better the more I look at it.

Also, the more I'm around these instruments I think that the ideal scale is from 21-and-more-than-a-half inches to your 23.5"

Longer ones (like my Crump) are grand, but this range seem the most versatile and generally comfortable for more players.

The World Needs More Fine Florentine Octave Mandolins!!! Woohooo!

stv

[Michael Lewis]

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Well, I forgot to make a notation of the nut width. I sent a request to the owner for the measurement so I can complete my spec sheet for this instrument.

Any scale you want. If you can play it I can make it. A 20" scale would require much heavier strings, be easier to play but have less "sting" in the tone.

[JEStanek]

Wow, I leave the country for a few weeks and this beauty pops up. That is a wonderful looking instrument, Michael.

Jamie

[Mario Proulx]

Nicey nice!

we are not worthy.....

[Mandoborg]

Beautiful as always Michael ! It's SO refreshing to see something differant here. Is the top wood some of Bruce's ? Is so, i have about 6 tops of that stuff and was wondering if there is anything differant about carving it. I remember when i was sending it through the planer to bring it down that it was tearing fibers out like crazy but the wood was STIFF and hard as any spruce i've ever come across.

Not even going to mention the scroll and that back wood, EVERYTHING about this one just looks RIGHT !

Jim Combra

[jim simpson]

Wow, I nominate this for centerfold of the month. What a beauty!

[pjlama]

WOW! I'd love to see a mandolin with that body.

[Michael Lewis]

Well, I'm back again with the nut width, it is 1 5/16".

Jim Combra, it well may be of the same stuff. It carves with a ropey fiberous grain, so carve across the grain or "down hill", and make sure your edge tools are very sharp. One other point about soft woods, avoid putting adhesive tape of any sort on it, and if you do, use a hair drier to warm the tape and pull very slowly and lightly or you will pill strings of wood fiber out of the surface. It is eally great tonewood.

PJ, take whatever you want . . . . I'll make more! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[cooper4205]

I'll say it again, that thing is beautiful Michael. two questions, what type of veneer did you use on the headstock and what are the tuner buttons made of? (better yet, do you have a pic? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif )

[Gary S]

Great work Michael. You are creating works of art!!! Could you describe the differences in tone between this octave and your arched top octave mandolin?
Thanks...Gary

[WJF]

How Much?
How long will I have to wait? and ...
Where do I sign up??

That is one amazing instrument!!!

[Michael Lewis]

OK then, here is the headstock. Figured walnut overlay, ivoroid binding, Waverly machines with ebony buttons.

[Chris Baird]

Wow, nice work!

[steve V. johnson]

Thank you for the nut width number, Michael.

And again, congrats on a wonderful design and beautiful execution!

stv

[Arnt]

Incredibly elegant!

[Gutbucket]

That's Sweet! Does the truss rod cover swivel to make adjustments?

[Mandoborg]

I was wondering that same thing Gutbucket ! Brilliant idea if so, keeps you from having to chase down small screws which have a habit of heading for China if you drop one !!

Michael, thank you for the advice on the Alaskan Spruce. Still want to let it sit for a few years, but always looking for advice . Rings like a bell when you tap it . Have always appreciated your sharing of advice on this forum and the MIMF.

Inspiring work !

Jim Combra

[Michael Lewis]

Jim, if that spruce rings well maybe it is time to run a moisture meter on it. I know how you feel when it comes to trusting wood, we like to have it for a while just to be sure it is dry enough. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[mandopete]

Any chance of hearing a sound clip? I'm very intrigued by this design and I'm curious as to how it would compare to the "tenor guitar" shaped octave mandolins we usually see.