Come build your own OM

[Luthier]

I have my new "Mill Creek" Octave Mandolins ready for sale. I will also be happy to help you build one in 3 days!!
http://www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/n...dult.html#2003
If you would like, I will custom build one for you from one of my kits with whatever options you would care to choose.
http://mywebpage.netscape.com/kawale...ge/kitpage.htm

Don

[John Zimm]

That looks awesome Don. I am sure you will have great success with this kit.

As a testimonial, Don means what he says when he says he will offer technical support. I hit a wall with my project a few weeks ago, and Don graciously agreed to help me out by thickness sanding my tonewood and sending a long some walnut for the back and sides. Now, I did not buy a kit of his and he has little financial interest in helping out a schmuck like me, but he has been more than kind and more helpful than a guy could ask for. If I lived closer to Virginia I would be first in line for a workshop.

-John.

[Joe F]

Don, have you ever considered taking your mandolin building workshop on the road? #You might be able to do something in conjunction with community colleges, Woodcraft stores, or the like.

[John Zimm]

Don, have you ever considered taking your mandolin building workshop on the road? You might be able to do something in conjunction with community colleges, Woodcraft stores, or the like.

That would be a great idea. I am sure your travel expenses would be tax deductable. Wanna come to Wisconsin? I could help arrange something out here if you wanted to take your show on the road.

-John.

[Luthier]

I call myself Luthier-to-go. #If you people want to set something up, I will be happy to find a way out there.
I am open to all possibilities. #Summers are the best since I still teach hormones with feet and attitudes full time. #I like it though...LOL

Don

[John Zimm]

Don,
I will make some calls around here today and see what happens. It would be great if you could come out here and share your talent with us Wisconsinites. Madison is home to many bluegrass and folk enthusiasts, and I am sure there would be a good response to a mandolin building seminar.

-John.

[mad dawg]

Anyone interested in the Bay Area interested in bringing Don's workshop here? (Maybe California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland could host; any other suggestions for local schools with wood shops?)

[Joe F]

Buckley,
If you could shift that a bit further west, possibly in the Eau Claire area, you could pick up attendees from the Twin Cities.

[John Zimm]

Joe-

Not a bad idea. I don't know the Eau Claire area very well, but there is of course the university there and probably a woodworking shop as well. I imagine there would be enough interest in the Madison area to bring a number of people, and we are close to Milwaukee too. We'll have Don booked through summer.

-John.

[Luthier]

There is nothing in the world I love doing more than teaching people to build instruments.....(well almost nothing but we wont go there right now.) #I am flexible and would pursue this. #I need to have a minimum of 10 people but no more. #A place to work for everyone, A couple of bench top drill presses, and a few consumables and we can rock and roll. #Keep me posted.

Don #

[John Zimm]

Don,

That's good to know. I am sure we could find ten people in Madison who would love to build one of your instruments. I'll talk to some people and see what develops.

-John.