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Thread: Jacobson Nautilus Nordic-themed mandolin

  1. #1

    Default Jacobson Nautilus Nordic-themed mandolin

    Here's a new instrument I just finished. It's going to a very patient customer in Norway.
    This instrument is completely different than most Gibson-style oval-hole instruments, more like a Sobell in the way it feels to play. It is exceptionally loud and powerful, and unlike most oval-hole instruments is impossible to "overdrive", remaining clear and bell-like even when played aggressively.
    The tone consists of very strong sustain and great note separation. It was designed to work for chordal accompaniment and Irish traditional music.

    It's also been 13 years since I made an instrument with a dragon on it, so there's that. This one is inspired by Norwegian Stave Church carvings.

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  3. #2

    Default Re: Jacobson Nautilus Nordic-themed mandolin

    Some Celtic stuff:


    Bach:

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  5. #3

    Default Re: Jacobson Nautilus Nordic-themed mandolin

    Wow, that is beautiful. What a lucky customer

  6. #4

    Default Re: Jacobson Nautilus Nordic-themed mandolin

    [Double post removed]

  7. #5
    Registered Muser dang's Avatar
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    Default Re: Jacobson Nautilus Nordic-themed mandolin

    Very nice!!! It looks like it was worth the wait, and the "Norwegian Stave Church carvings" really look super cool
    I should be pickin' rather than postin'

  8. #6
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Jacobson Nautilus Nordic-themed mandolin

    Absolutely beautiful and wonderful sound, Marty!
    Jim

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  9. #7
    Registered User harper's Avatar
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    Default Re: Jacobson Nautilus Nordic-themed mandolin

    Marty, #36 is a masterpiece, and your playing is wonderful, too. Congratulations on your superb work. I take delight daily in my elegant Trumpetvine #32, which continues to inspire me to compose and arrange new music.

    What are the names of the Celtic tunes, especially the first one? I recognize Si Bheag Si Mhor and the third and fourth tunes, though I can't think of their names.

    Best regards,
    Evelyn
    Harper (My other mandolin is a harp)

  10. #8

    Default Re: Jacobson Nautilus Nordic-themed mandolin

    Thanks all.
    Evelyn, the Celtic tunes are The Tarboltin, which is very similar to Cooley's, third one is The Cliffs of Moher, and the fourth is Banish Misfortune.

  11. #9
    but that's just me Bertram Henze's Avatar
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    Default Re: Jacobson Nautilus Nordic-themed mandolin

    I like the way the end shape of the fretboard is mimicked in the soundhole and the tailpiece (and, needless to say, I like the zero fret).
    This instrument may proudly be placed next to, say, a Hardanger fiddle (also known for style).

    I wonder if the metal part of the tailpiece could be done with colors inverted, i.e. mostly black to match the fretboard, but then I guess the black would get worn down around the hooks.

    The sound is indeed so bell like (pun intended) and really comes into its own with the Carolan piece.
    the world is better off without bad ideas, good ideas are better off without the world

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    Registered User Ivan Kelsall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Jacobson Nautilus Nordic-themed mandolin

    Marty - That's another stunner from you - WOW !!!. The body depth looks to be a bit deeper than most,is it ?. You mention that it's 'loud'. My own Lebeda F5 style mandolin has a deeper than normal body - indeed,it's larger all round than 'standard' & it too is very loud. Is a deeper body always consistent with 'more volume' ?.

    Wonderful,beautiful work !,
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  15. #11
    Barn Cat Mandolins Bob Clark's Avatar
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    Default Re: Jacobson Nautilus Nordic-themed mandolin

    Absolutely beautiful, Marty. The fine detail of your instruments always is second to none. I hope to have the opportunity to try one of them, one day. Thanks for posting this, and congratulations to you and the fortunate new owner.

    Best wishes, Bob
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  17. #12
    Registered User John Soper's Avatar
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    Default Re: Jacobson Nautilus Nordic-themed mandolin

    Wonderous looking & sounding box!

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    Registered User Tom Haywood's Avatar
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    Default Re: Jacobson Nautilus Nordic-themed mandolin

    Marty, stunning in every respect!
    Tom

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    Moderator JEStanek's Avatar
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    Default Re: Jacobson Nautilus Nordic-themed mandolin

    Sweet!
    There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want; and, after that, to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second. Logan Pearsall Smith, 1865 - 1946

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    Registered User Martin Ohrt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Jacobson Nautilus Nordic-themed mandolin

    Great mandolin and great playing!
    Mandolins: 1920s (?) Meinel & Herold Bowlback, 2006 Furch "Redwood MA-1" A5

    Octaves: 2004 Fender FMO-66 Flat-Top, 2015 A. Karperien 5 String Electric

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    Registered User Eric F.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Jacobson Nautilus Nordic-themed mandolin

    Stunning, just stunning.

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  27. #17

    Default Re: Jacobson Nautilus Nordic-themed mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Eric F. View Post
    Stunning, just stunning.
    Yes.
    2010 Heiden A5, 2020 Pomeroy oval A, 2013 Kentucky KM1000 F5, 2012 Girouard A Mandola w ff holes, 2001 Old Wave A oval octave
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  29. #18
    Registered User foldedpath's Avatar
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    Default Re: Jacobson Nautilus Nordic-themed mandolin

    Beautiful mandolin, and nice playing on those tunes!

    That first one -- Tarbolton Lodge? -- is one I've heard on a Buddy MacMaster set and always wanted to learn. Have to get crackin' on it now.

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  31. #19
    Kelley Mandolins Skip Kelley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Jacobson Nautilus Nordic-themed mandolin

    Marty, your mandolin is beautiful! A real work of art! It looks like something in a museum; I'm glad it's not though!!!

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  33. #20
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Jacobson Nautilus Nordic-themed mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Marty Jacobson View Post
    and unlike most oval-hole instruments is impossible to "overdrive", remaining clear and bell-like even when played aggressively.
    What are the physical characteristics of the mandolin that make this happen? If someone comes to you and says that this particular aspect is of importance in a mandolin, what would you go about doing differently in the making of the instrument?
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
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  34. #21
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Jacobson Nautilus Nordic-themed mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Marty Jacobson View Post
    Some Celtic stuff:

    and some

    Bach:
    Wonderful sound. As awesome as many have come to expect.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
    funny....

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  36. #22
    I may be old but I'm ugly billhay4's Avatar
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    Default Re: Jacobson Nautilus Nordic-themed mandolin

    Marty continues to amaze me.
    Bill
    IM(NS)HO

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  38. #23

    Default Re: Jacobson Nautilus Nordic-themed mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Bertram Henze View Post
    I wonder if the metal part of the tailpiece could be done with colors inverted, i.e. mostly black to match the fretboard, but then I guess the black would get worn down around the hooks.
    Hi Bertram, I've done that on other mandolins (Evelyn's, for example). It looks nice.
    Click image for larger version. 

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  40. #24

    Default Re: Jacobson Nautilus Nordic-themed mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Ivan Kelsall View Post
    Marty - That's another stunner from you - WOW !!!. The body depth looks to be a bit deeper than most,is it ?. You mention that it's 'loud'. My own Lebeda F5 style mandolin has a deeper than normal body - indeed,it's larger all round than 'standard' & it too is very loud. Is a deeper body always consistent with 'more volume' ?.
    Hi Ivan, a deeper body always means more (air) volume. ;-)
    I don't think it directly correlates to acoustic output measurable in dB, which is a result of a number of different factors, including bridge mass, break angle, string tension, scale length, arching profiles... lots of different factors. I think the biggest single factor contributing to the volume of this instrument is the low mass, yet very stiff, redwood top.

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  42. #25

    Default Re: Jacobson Nautilus Nordic-themed mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by foldedpath View Post
    That first one -- Tarbolton Lodge? -- is one I've heard on a Buddy MacMaster set and always wanted to learn. Have to get crackin' on it now.
    First time I heard it was on this Waxie's Dargle CD:

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