Jacobson #16 w/ TI strings

[Marty Jacobson]

I just strung up #16 with TI Mittel strings. It's kind of my take on the Phoenix Neoclassical -- a modern archtop with light gauge strings.

The fairly flat, thin top is made from a beautiful piece of Yellow Cedar with 60-80 grains per inch.
Back, sides, etc are birdseye maple.



This was a wild experiment, since I've never seen or played a Phoenix Neoclassical.

The combination of a light top and a pretty steep break angle yielded a nice responsive instrument with buttery smooth playability.

It's not going to win any banjo killing contests, but it's a fun instrument.



(Oh yeah, I said #15 in the video... it's actually #16).

[Michael Bridges]

Another beauty,Marty! Really nice, even tone across the board on that one. So if I understand correctly, it's braced to only accept the low-tension strings? Interesting concept, but your designs are always intriguing!

[Marty Jacobson]

Thanks Mike, sorry you didn't get to play this one last night!
Yep, the top is a little lighter and has a flatter arch. It wouldn't blow up if you put J74's on it, but it would be weak in the trebles (like that one prototype mandolin I showed you).

[Michael Bridges]

My friend, you are a true educational resource to me! Amazing how complex the inner workings of a little wooden box can be.

[Steve-o]

Very nice looking and sounding mandolin there Marty. I love your thoughtful design. Each has its own unique vibe.

[Marty Jacobson]

More, and more better, photos...

[Pete Jenner]

Fantastic Marty. That's made me re-think my current build.

[bigbendhiker]

With pics like yours it's becoming extremely difficult to prevent the onset of full blown MAS.

Very nice work.......!

[billhay4]

Lovely instrument, Martin. Great sounding, too.
Bill

[Caleb]

You are making (in my opinion) probably the coolest looking mandolins on the market. Love it when folks think outside the box. Nice work!

[Eric Foulke]

Now that is one fine sounding instrument.
I have always been a fan of the Rolfe's Neoclassical and the ideas behind it. Not everyone needs to crush banjos, there has to be room for other voices in other contexts, whether it be playing to a small audience or playing for myself in my living room.
By the way, when do you sleep?

[Stephen Porter]

That's a very nice instrument.... It may not kill banjos, but it sounds plenty loud enough for anything but that and has a magically bright and rich sound to it. The "light-string" "buttery action" sound like tempting attributes too. And, as always, the little finishing touches--fretboard inlay, tailpiece thingamabob (??), choice of woods are very well-done.

STP

[Don Grieser]

You are making (in my opinion) probably the coolest looking mandolins on the market. Love it when folks think outside the box. Nice work!

Yessir, Marty, you are on to something good. Keep up the great work.

[Marty Jacobson]

Thanks, guys!

[Jim Garber]

That is a wonderful sounding mandolin if that video is a reliable representation. From what I can tell it has the tones that I look for. Off the top of my head I would say that you came very close to that same Neo-Classical tone. Beautiful work as well. I am not a fan generally of T-I strings but you and Rolfe have voiced your instruments for those strings which make a lot of sense.

[Jake Wildwood]

Heck, nice work!!!

[Tom Cherubini]

A very pure-sounding instrument! Solid luthery and a finish to die for! I keep Arik Kerman mandolins as my ideal, and the sound of your #16, if computer/video/cheap headphone sound can be a reliable indictor, comes the closest yet. Kudos!
Can I have it??

Cherubini/

[Tom Haywood]

The sound on that video is very much what you hear live. The tone is pure, but there is a little bit more complexity that gives a very mature sound. The neo-classical tone is definitely in Marty's mandolins. His offset ovals even get a very bowl back sound, but with more complexity and fullness. I commented at his shop that I can hear each of these in a mandolin orchestra setting, both fitting in just right and cutting through the mix. His mandolins do play like butter regardless of the string selection - a very Weber-like feel which I like a lot. His finishes are beautiful, but more important to me they show case his excellent eye for some beautiful wood.

[pefjr]

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound. ....... How did you do this? Are you old enough to vote, yet?

[Marty Jacobson]

Are you old enough to vote, yet?

Does the all-star game count?

[Ron McMillan]

I really enjoyed your video clip, and your new creation sounds and looks wonderful. Thanks for sharing it with us.

ron

[Michael Bridges]

Guys, I have to concur with Tommando. The videos you get from Marty are a good and accurate representation, but until you get to hear his mandos live, you don't get the whole picture. I was fascinated by the look, from his website, but getting to hear and play them was a whole different ballgame! There are subtleties that you don't get from the videos, and they play silky-smooth. You really get a sense of the love Marty puts into them. Can't rave about them enough.

[Stephen Porter]

There's now a new Group for "Jacobsen Mandolins." David Mold (OldSausage) and I are the only members now, but please sign up if you have an interest in these instruments. BTW, I'm "in line" for one from the next batch! David and Marty are going to do some more recording and that will probably be a topic of discussion.

[Marty Jacobson]

Here's #16 in more of a context, courtesy of Tommando and OldSausage.

[Michael Bridges]

Very nice, guys! Good to see Tom in there with his 'zook adding a nice tonal mix. Looks like Marty's spring litter DO play well with others.