joebrent
Jun-04-2009, 10:29am
I'll be in Germany with Annika next weekend doing a workshop on American mandolin styles, and I really wanted to play an American mandolin while I was over there. I have an F and an A, neither of which is really any great shakes. So, since I've been impressed by Joe Cleary's instruments for a while now, I asked if he would let me borrow one of his Due models for the trip, and he very generously agreed. It's nice to be able to showcase a little bit the very high level of craftsmanship going on in America right now (I should also mention at this point Brian Dean's instruments specifically, but many, many others).
The instrument has a very powerful, bright response all the way up the neck -- I commented in his shop yesterday that the sound just seems to jump off it. Aesthetically, of course, it's a stunner. There's an even more ornate version than the one he's lending me, with a keyhole headstock and gold hardware; this version was designed to keep costs down a bit, without sacrificing any tone or feel. The Due was the result of Joe's apprenticeship with a violin maker, and a years-long study of violin making techniques, and the result is overhanging bouts and inlayed purfling like a violin, as well as a two-piece back in the Amati/Strad/Gagliano style. I also noticed that it projects across a room in an unusual way -- the tone really pops you in the eardrum at a distance in a way you mightn't expect from the sound you get while playing it. I'm quite happy to showcase it, and hope to drum up some interest in his atelier across the pond.
Below is a pic of me rapping with Jamie Masefield in Joe's shop yesterday. I'm holding the Due, he's trying out Isabella. For more info on Joe's instruments, go to his website (http://www.campanellastrings.com/mandolin).
The instrument has a very powerful, bright response all the way up the neck -- I commented in his shop yesterday that the sound just seems to jump off it. Aesthetically, of course, it's a stunner. There's an even more ornate version than the one he's lending me, with a keyhole headstock and gold hardware; this version was designed to keep costs down a bit, without sacrificing any tone or feel. The Due was the result of Joe's apprenticeship with a violin maker, and a years-long study of violin making techniques, and the result is overhanging bouts and inlayed purfling like a violin, as well as a two-piece back in the Amati/Strad/Gagliano style. I also noticed that it projects across a room in an unusual way -- the tone really pops you in the eardrum at a distance in a way you mightn't expect from the sound you get while playing it. I'm quite happy to showcase it, and hope to drum up some interest in his atelier across the pond.
Below is a pic of me rapping with Jamie Masefield in Joe's shop yesterday. I'm holding the Due, he's trying out Isabella. For more info on Joe's instruments, go to his website (http://www.campanellastrings.com/mandolin).