On Nyberg List

[red7flag]

I am currently on Lawrence Nyberg's list to build. Here is the tentative build. Short neck (calls it Traditional) oval hole mandola. Paduak wood back and sides. Engelmann top. Mohagany neck. After I long discussion we went with Paduak. Lawrence expressed a great like to the tone it produces. He states somewhat like walnut like if have and love on my Mowry GOM. Paduak starts of reddish in color then oxidizes to a darkish brown color. I am excited. He is scheduled to start in the spring. I really enjoyed our conversations and felt comfortable with him. The folks in the CBOM section regarded his work well, so here we go...

[Eric F.]

I suspect you've made a good choice. If I ever commission an OM, Lawrence will be on the short list of builders to consider.

[red7flag]

Coming from the bluegrass camp, I am wondering what changes in my playing would you recommend to add an Irish feel when playing the Nyberg?

[Clement Barrera-Ng]

Good choice Tony. Can't wait to see the mandola when it's done. Are you going with the flat top or carved top?

[red7flag]

Carved top.

[s1m0n]

I bought a bouzouki from him 20 or so years ago, and have nothing but positives to say of him and it. Wish I still owned it.

[Daniel Vance]

Have a Nyberg bouzouki, and it is amazing. As others have said, Lawrence is a great guy and an exceptional builder.

As for playing more Irish, I have taken a few lessons with Marla Fibish, and she provides great instruction on using the right hand to provide the appropriate feel and rhythm. Marla is on of the best Irish mandolin players I have heard, and she is an all around nice person. She focuses on melody, so if that is what you are planning on using the mandola for, she would be a great resource. She also plays mandola, so I am sure she would have great suggestions. Her peghead nation course may be of interest.

If you are thinking of doing more accompaniment / counter melody, I really enjoy Planxty and Dervish for the interweaving of mandola, mandolin, and bouzouki. I'd also recommend checking out the Alt, which consists of both John Doyle and Eamon O'Leary on bouzouki. They both come at playing the instrument differently, and the two together really works well. Add Nuala Kennedy, and it is just an all around phenomenal group, and one of my favorite Irish albums at the moment.

[Marty Jacobson]

Padauk is a great tonewood, right up there with Indian rosewood. It doesn't start "reddish", it starts off fire engine red!

[red7flag]

Great picture and comment Marty.

[pheffernan]

Coming from the bluegrass camp, I am wondering what changes in my playing would you recommend to add an Irish feel when playing the Nyberg?

[Pete Braccio]

Irish music is dance music. You've got to play it with a drive or lift to push a dancer through a reel or a jig. Listen to some good fiddlers (beside mandolin and mandola players) to here what you should be going after.

[red7flag]

Just got an email from Lawrence. He says he is about to start the finish process. I requested some pictures and will share them when I get them. I forgot what a wonderful experience have an instrument made can be. Seeing a concept come to life is truely exquisite.

[red7flag]

Just got an email from Lawrence saying that that the finishing process is almost finished and the mandola should be sent in about a week. He says it is a "beaut". Am so excited.

[red7flag]

Lawrence emailed me today and it should be here the beginning of next week. Patience... oh my.