How I spent my summer vacation...

**Luthier** · Aug-01-2012, 6:10am

First. Let me thank you for your support and your kind words you have given me in the past. Second. I have just finished my limited production run of 12 Octave kits and 10 Standard mandolin kits. These are by far the best ones I have turned out so far. I am the only one that makes my kits from start to finish. I have used all high quality components. All kits come with a Spalted Maple inlaid sound hole Rosette, Curly Maple binding, as well as all solid, quarter sawn wood components. Enjoy.
Don

**belbein** · Aug-01-2012, 9:59am

Don: I'm waiting with bated breath for that Arch-top Octave mando kit. Which I know--if I just keep asking--you'll decide to offer.

**Marty Jacobson** · Aug-01-2012, 11:55am

Digging that ambrosia maple rosette.

Don, the aesthetic design of this version is a huge upgrade over the earlier triangular model, at least to my eyes. I'm sure these kits will make a lot of people happy.

**Rick Lindstrom** · Aug-01-2012, 2:30pm

Originally Posted by Luthier

First. Let me thank you for your support and your kind words you have given me in the past. Second. I have just finished my limited production run of 12 Octave kits and 10 Standard mandolin kits. These are by far the best ones I have turned out so far. I am the only one that makes my kits from start to finish. I have used all high quality components. All kits come with a Spalted Maple inlaid sound hole Rosette, Curly Maple binding, as well as all solid, quarter sawn wood components. Enjoy.
Don

Don-

Are you able to offer a "builders kit" with just the basic dimensioned lumber, but no other work completed? I'm thinking no bent sides, no joined plates, no binding, neck not prebuilt, and so forth. A preslotted fingerboard would be nice.

Rick

**Luthier** · Aug-01-2012, 4:27pm

Let me mull this over, Rick.
Don

**otterly2k** · Aug-02-2012, 12:16pm

I agree with Martin - and having played a couple of the teardrop ones in comparison with the triangular one that I made, I think there are tonal improvements as well.

As for my baited breath wishes-- I'd love to see a mandola option for myself.

Will have no problem recommending your kits to others as I have done before. Great intro to building and quality components, for those who are not wedded to doing a carved top instrument.

KE