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Thanks for all those kind words.
It's been a lot of fun working on these three projects over the last few years.
Jay and I have been pals and colleagues ( we're both piano tuners by day ) for a...

I had this same question a few years ago as I live where it gets mighty cold. I left my Calton outside (no mandolin in it) with a thermometer for 10 minutes and noted the temp. drop. I then did the...

The distance between notes in equal temperament is the 12th root of 2. Rounded off that is 1.059463094. Multiplying or dividing any known frequency by that amount will give you the semi-tone above or...

That's my mandolin you're talkin' about. (at least it was)Those are my initials at the 12th fret. I bought this from Steve directly in 1992 and as I recall, it was his idea to inject a little of my...

I was lucky enough to play these mandolins just this morning, and let me tell ya.........they sound and feel even better than they look, if that's possible. Gavin's workmanship and attention to...

Thanks for those kind words you guys. I'm Fred Redekop and I'm playing my 1941 F5 on that recording. Jay, the bass player and I decided to try and write and play some tunes with just the two...

A while back, Steve Stone reviewed an Eastman mandocaster in Vintage Guitar. I bought one last spring on the strength of that and I couldn't be happier. If you're not aware of them, by all means...

I've heard that the frets are indeed softer now because manufacturers find them quicker and easier to work with in the factory setting and so the makers of fret wire have complied.

I have a flat fingerboard F5 with little frets and this is what I'm used to and how I like it. However, they must be making frets a lot softer now than in the old days because they seem to pit and...

It's important to note that not all hygrometers are created equal. The battery operated digital readout kind seem to be the most consistant. Spring or human hair hygrometers can be extremely...

I have a typical white Calton with the signatures of everyone who's taught at the mandolin symposium these last three years on it. Actually, some are starting to fade so I'd be curious if anyone...

when people ask me why I have more than one mandolin, I ask them why they have more than one kid. Each one has a unique character and I get a great deal of joy out of each one. Besides,if I were to...

I should also add that it's not a coincidence or inappropriate that it looks kind of like a beer label

Here's a picture of the sign a friend made that hangs at our summer cottage. It's where I go to sit on the dock and try to develope on what I've learned at the mandolin symposium every year....

I've got to second that Elixer recommendation. I use them now on everything (it used to be J 75's ) and although nothing's ever perfect, they've been the all around best strings I've found.

I've never been able to post a photo 'til now. I didn't actually think that would come through.
Pictured are : Collings MT , Gibson A9, 232 Gibson A jr., '41 Gibson F5, Gilchrist model 2, Gavin...

here's my bunch

I have a Gilchrist model 2 where the original bridge cracked just like yours. There's no repair strong enough and as others have said........having a new saddle copied from the old one is no big deal.

We've heard a lot about humidification situations, especially at this time of year. I wonder about the professional players who may be in Arizona (extremely dry) one day and in Louisiana (extremely...

I've always assumed part of the problem came from the low tension on the A strings. On the J74s J75s and Elixer strings I've been using over the past years the tensions listed for each string show...

I've found the SM 58s to sound kind of thin on mandolin. I've been using a AKG C1000 for the past few years and I'm very happy with it. It's cheap, durable, and it sounds good.

I've always used camera straps. A couple I have from old Pentax Spotmatics work better than any mando strap I've come across.

A mando cello is tuned an octave below a mandola ( which is a fifth below the mandolin ). So this makes the cello a fifth lower in pitch than an octave mandolin.

My guitar player friend and I played at a wedding a while back and one of our more popular choices was " For me And my Gal ", plus it's a real fun tune to play.

I've been able to go the first two years, and it's been such a great experience that I can't not go now. Sell something...don't but something .....do what you have to. You won't regret it.
Those...