Chris Acquavella - Mandola

[Walt Kuhlman]

Chris sent me this video today, I built this instrument (European Mandola-tuning-GDAE) for him a little over a year ago. It plays an active part in Duo Acquavella. He says there will be more to come!

Mount Fuji by Alison Stephens
Performance by Chris

Walt

[Tom C]

fancy! Looks and sounds great.

[Gerry Cassidy]

You and Astrid are quite the team, Walt. Beautiful!

I remember sitting with you in your shop here in Scottsdale, (how many years ago?) and you telling me that you were thinking about building mandolins. Obviously one of the better ideas you've had! LOL!

[Tavy]

Outstanding!

[Hudmister]

I think I may have seen Duo Aquavelva live. Is this them?

[Walt Kuhlman]

You and Astrid are quite the team, Walt. Beautiful!

I remember sitting with you in your shop here in Scottsdale, (how many years ago?) and you telling me that you were thinking about building mandolins. Obviously one of the better ideas you've had! LOL!

Ten years ago, maybe? The breezeway leading to the shop was a great place to gather for conversation and jams..many fond memories.

Walt

[Sweetpea44]

Wow! Nice instrument .... and playing!

[Bernie Daniel]

Wow! Nice instrument .... and playing!

I couldn't agree more -- wonderful all around. Great tone and great listen.

[Bob Clark]

Hello Walt,

Thanks for posting this. I am glad your beautiful instruments have gained the attention of one of the world's top performers. Congratulations on that! This instrument looks and sounds wonderful, as do all your instruments. Would you mind telling us what the scale length is?

By the way, I have really come to love my nylon-strung Gypsy. Thanks for making these beautiful instruments. I hope to come down to your shop one day and meet you in person.

Best wishes,

Bob

[Gerry Cassidy]

Ten years ago, maybe? The breezeway leading to the shop was a great place to gather for conversation and jams..many fond memories.

Walt

Yes! You, Michi, and I working up that little show we played together being one great memory for me. Although, there were more. Good times.

[Michael Wolf]

I saw Chris and Stefanie live a few month ago here in Germany. I already knew your mandola from the forum. That is a very beautiful instrument in tone and appearance. The audience admired the mandola even more when Chris showed his tatoo.
Btw.: It was also very interesting to hear a german german bowlback (Woll) together with a canadian german bowlback (Dean).

[JEStanek]

For those who may not know, Chris was one of Alison Stephen's students. Alison participated here at the Cafe and was a gifted teacher and brilliant performer who died in 2010. I can only imagine how touching it is for Chris to play this piece (and to do so) so well.

Thanks for sharing, Walt.

Jamie

[sgarrity]

A beautiful composition, passionate playing, and a great sounding instrument! What's the scale length on that one?

[Michael Wolf]

Btw.: It was also very interesting to hear a german german bowlback (Woll) together with a canadian german bowlback (Dean).

Sorry, have to correct this little detail: Stefanie plays a Seifert, not a Woll.

[Walt Kuhlman]

A beautiful composition, passionate playing, and a great sounding instrument! What's the scale length on that one?

Thank all of you for the compliments! I was very excited to build this instrument for Chris. The process of Astrid carving the top, (matching one of his tattoos ), was quite intriguing, from drawing table to the finished top carving was about three weeks!

The scale is 19"

Walt

[bratsche]

Wow, I had always admired the appearance and superb crafting of that mandola, Walt, but this is the first time I've heard what it sounds like, and it certainly sounds as amazing as it looks. If I could ever afford one of your instruments, that is the type I would choose, I think! Do you know what strings Chris is using on it?

bratsche

[Walt Kuhlman]

do you know what strings chris is using on it?

Bratsche

thomastik 174m mandola / octave mandolin set