Steven Holst "Kay Style"

[Lorenzo LaRue]

I received this wonderful mando about tree weeks ago. Just an amazing machine, perfect for the music I play, Swing and Gypsy Jazz! The tonal range and nuance is fantastic.
It is X braced and is two inches thick which seems to give more tone and by adding thickness preserves the volume. Mind you this thing is still new and already has miles of richness and did I say it has some punch when needed.
Fit and finish are rare. The woods are Quilted Maple back and ribs, Adirondack Spruce top, Koa bindings and headstock (both sides) along with ebony finished in thin varnish. Custom ebony tail piece and pick guard with yin/yang and heart inlays.
Steve, you really made this old boy happy with your excellent work!:grin:

[Tavy]

I love Kay styled mandolins and that one's a cracker!

[Dale Ludewig]

Beautiful.

[GaryTimmons]

That is just way gorgeous. I've been wanting to build a more modern version of a kay. I still have a few others to finish first. Would you be so kind to tell me what the scale length is.

Thanks ---Gary

[John Soper]

Looks wonderful - post a sound clip?

[Lorenzo LaRue]

That is just way gorgeous. I've been wanting to build a more modern version of a kay. I still have a few others to finish first. Would you be so kind to tell me what the scale length is.

Thanks ---Gary

It is the standard 13 15/16" - 14". A few things I didn't mention are the Alessi tuners with MOP buttons (gorgeous!), which are tight, but oh so accurate and the K and K twin internal pickup system with 'out the tail' plug-in. It amps quite nicely with an L.R. Baggs Venue pre-amp and a Fishman Mini Loudbox amp.

[Mandoborg]

That's Perfect in every detail !!....

[foldedpath]

Gorgeous mandolin, congratulations!

I have two of Steve's instruments -- a nylon string guitar, and a semihollow archtop electric (still the featured photo on that page of his web site, I think -- the dark red sunburst with the hex pickups at the saddle).

He's a master craftsman. It was a pleasure working with him on those two guitars, and I'll gladly recommend him to anyone who wants something a little off the beaten path, for either guitars or mandolins.

[Steve Sorensen]

A lot to like in the design and execution. Nice!

Steve

[trevor]

Fantastic! I love it.

[Skip Kelley]

Congratulations! That is one cool looking mandolin!

[Spruce]

Nice!!

[JEStanek]

Very nice! Congrats!

Jamie

[Jeff Hildreth]

Excellent.

I am curious about the top and back, carved? pressed arch, braced arch ?

[Bill Baldridge]

She's sure a beauty.

[Lorenzo LaRue]

Excellent.

I am curious about the top and back, carved? pressed arch, braced arch ?

Both top and back are carved, top is X braced, and such excellent rich tones (and not even played in yet) !

[LongBlackVeil]

Wow! I absolutely love that! Didn't realize how cool that Kay shape was until now that I see it in such a fine presentation.

I'm not just making an obligatory new mando day post, that is really fantastic!

[SBrady]

Hey, Lorenzo. I have the other Holst-Kay. Just got it about a week ago. Hopefully I'll get a chance in the next couple of days to post some pictures of your mandolin's counterpart. Congrats on the new mando!

[Grommet]

Always a treat to see another of Steven's creations!

Scott

[Nashville]

Beautiful work of art. That is one of the nicest designs I've seen. If it sounds and plays as good as it looks then you are a winner!

[MandoJason]

wonderful looking mandolin! i hope you enjoy it....love to hear a clip if you get around to it....beautiful!
jason

[GarY Nava]

Very nice work- great to see this shape.
Cheers Gary

[usqebach]

Wow, that thing is pretty enough to make me want to learn a minor 7th chord!