Introducing the Sorensen AX

[Steve Sorensen]

I've posted a few pictures of the new AX in the white, but wanted to give the full rundown now that it is completed and headed out into the world.

138791

As I mentioned previously, I was looking at the back of the FX, which is longer and sleeker than a traditional F-style, and realized I would love to see that same body shape as an A-style. Here's the FX view which got the idea rolling --

138796

At the same time, I've always been bugged that many new A-style mandolins seem to get short-changed in details or finishing (compared to their more scroll-ey counterparts). So, I decided that if I was going to build an A-style, it needed to have all the traits that I find important in the other instruments that I'm building --


Top quality tone woods. In this case, a one-piece Englemann top and a one-piece curly Red Maple back and sides, and a hard maple neck. Mahogany internal blocking and kerfing.
Hand graduated top, back and tonebars. F-holes designed specifically for the body style and which are hand-rounded on the inside edges.
A hand-rubbed plus spray-detailed sunburst.
Traditional old school Oil Varnish and Shellac French Polish finish.
Fully bound.
Radiused, bound fingerboard with Gold EVO frets; Bone or MOP nut. 2-way Adjustable truss rod.
Detailed inlay for the headstock.
Quality hardware - Allen or James tailpiece; High-end bridge; Schaller, Grover or Rubner tuners; Ebony, bound pickguard.



So, here's how it all came together in the prototype --

138795 138792

138793 138794

This instrument is now heading over to Raleigh for IBMA 2015. I'm really looking forward to hearing how it works for players. Hopefully there will be some opportunities to get some good feedback, video and sound to add to the discussion!

Steve

[Canoedad]

You evil man!

[sgarrity]

That is stunning!

[darylcrisp]

looks like a mandolin Superman would have in his room, for relaxing after a hard day.

awesome looks, love the headstock shape and the design(straight pull of all strings).

d

[Tavy]

Beautiful!

[Skip Kelley]

Steve, that is a killer looking A model for sure! Scroll-ey things look out! The burst is perfect and I love that one piece back!

[AlanN]

This instrument is now heading over to Raleigh for IBMA 2015

Yay!

and I hope to get my clumsy hands on it there!

[craigw]

What Shaun, Tavy and Skip said!

[Grommet]

Beautiful design and build Steve!

Scott

[Ivan Kelsall]

That's a pretty sensational looking instrument Steve. Even if you couldn't string 2 notes together,i reckon you'd still get an audience of admirers. I really do love 'different' if it's done with taste, & that fits the bill in every category !!!,:disbelief:
Ivan~:>

[Steve Sorensen]

Thanks for the nice feedback, guys! It was a delight to build and I'm looking forward to making more.

What really matters is how it plays, so it will be great fun to watch how it works for all the pickers, young and old, at IBMA.

Steve

[Ron McMillan]

The picture of the back takes care of my computer wallpaper for the next few months... :)

[Steve Sorensen]

Ha! Headstock shot is my desktop wallpaper . . . for now.

138960

Steve

[Paul Busman]

Beautiful! I love the contrasting wood binding.

[CWRoyds]

Beautiful instrument!!
Are there any stores in Los Angeles that carry them, or happen to have one that you know of?
I would love to try out a Sorenson.

[Steve Sorensen]

CW,
My shop, home and I are all in Santa Clarita! Come on up and pick ! ! !
Steve

[Bigtuna]

Wow. Look forward to seeing you this coming weekend!

[Steve Sorensen]

Getting to hear some amazing players check out the AX prototype at IBMA 2015 . . . including this mystery player who slips effortlessly from Monroe style to crosspicking to swing to jazz to classical.

139115

Steve

[atbuckner21]

This is amazing. :)

[Steve Sorensen]

The consistent feedback about this AX has been, "Even response across the strings, really sweet tone, but still powerful 'pop'. Really easy to play up the neck."

Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

We had some fairly good pickers drop by to check out the AX today. . . including this funky newgrass guy.

139148

Steve

[Michael Lewis]

IBMA (I Been Mostly Awake) Steve, I hope you can get some sleep! It's a looonnng haul to Sunday evening/ Monday morning.

It sounds like you hit this one out of the park! Good on ya!

[CWRoyds]

Wow. Sam Bush! Nice!! I bet he sounded awesome on that mandolin.

[Skip Kelley]

I played Steve's AX yesterday and it's a hoss! Big thump when you chop, great bell like treble and plays like butter! It's everything a mandolin should be! Nice job Steve!

[eadg145]

That's a really nice design, Steve. The hits just keep on coming! I like it all, but I particularly love that headstock inlay. Just beautiful!

[Robert B]

Breathtaking!

[Jim Gallaher]

That "mystery picker" description sounds like Johnny Staats...

[Steve Sorensen]

Not Johnny Staats. Good try.
Steve

[AlanN]

That would be JR (and not the Dallas guy...)

and I played the A model in a raucous jam up in the Calif. suite late Sat night. Lovely to hear and hold, and it held its own very well. Was impressed with the power and tone...and the lightness of the mandolin.

[Steve Sorensen]

My new favorite AX shot -

140094

Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

Here is a bit of video, featuring Clint White on his AX, from a recent house concert with NuBlu at the Sorensen place --


https://youtu.be/zE40fAHNLqQ

Many thanks to Lincoln Hoppe who shot, edited, and mixed this video.

Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

Was able just barely squeeze this AX in with the box headed for IBMA 2016 --

149894 149895

Steve

[AlanN]

Cool, Steve. Can't wait to hear and hold in person....another IBMA upon us, imagine that...

[Steve Sorensen]

Danny Roberts taking a quiet moment to pick on his new AX before the SPBGMA 2017 Awards ceremony --


https://www.facebook.com/danny.roberts.7568/videos/10208518407098677/

And here is a parting shot as it headed his way --

153783

Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

Some new sound from Danny Roberts on that AX --


https://www.facebook.com/danny.roberts.7568/videos/10208821188028011/

Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

Been awhile since we've heard from Danny's AX.

Here is the very talented young picker Zack Arnold (Claybank) on the AX with Danny on his Sorensen VX for bit of Big Mon. Video quality is phone>Facebook>YouTube . . . but sound quality is pretty good --


https://youtu.be/q000jnj-zmw

Here is the Facebook link for a cleaner view of the video -
https://www.facebook.com/DannyRobertsMusic/videos/1863763280512666/

Steve

[AlanN]

Sooo-eeet!

[red7flag]

Nice job Steve. I think the headstock is more appropriate for the A body than it is for its cousin the Fx.

[Steve Sorensen]

Here's a cool video from Nu-Blu featuring Clint White on his Sorensen AX (and fiddle too) --


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3FgsEUgaic

Steve

[Dave Greenspoon]

Great video, and that mandolin is visual art that makes magical music. Thanks for sharing this!

[Steve Sorensen]

162485

Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

Just gonna leave this right here for you to enjoy --

https://www.facebook.com/ThePowellFamilyBand/videos/2091006827789315/?q=chasity%20n%20josh%20powell

Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

Silas Powell, picking an AX, getting warmed up for a gig, on a Train --


https://youtu.be/o1c3DVbe-48

Steve

[pelone]

Do not care for the head stock---in regards to "normal"---if it ain't broke do not attempt to fix it.

[Steve Sorensen]

I tend to ignore the angry old apes, but for those who are still looking outside the box --


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4vJ8l2NfIM

Steve

PS - Here's Silas Powell playing that ol' standard "Rawhide" on that newfangled mandolin --

https://www.facebook.com/ThePowellFamilyBand/videos/2104538609769470/

You get the point.

[Jesse Kinman]

Do not care for the head stock---in regards to "normal"---if it ain't broke do not attempt to fix it.

I can see your concern.... if he was building a replacement neck on a Gibson A5 or the like, but the man is producing his own stuff.
You are for sure entitled to your opinion, but you don’t have to sound like a jerk voicing it. This mandolin is not my “style” either, but it is a beautiful work of art in its own right! If I could afford it, I would definitely buy one of his VX mandolins, as that is more my “style”. Think before you quack.

[Steve Sorensen]

Silas Powell warming up that AX for Merlefest 2018 --


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQzDnqdehBE

Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=68&v=GVUPJudtPjg

[Steve Sorensen]

Silas Powell - Panhandle Country


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ebd3luJ3tp4&feature=youtu.be

Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

Here's a little bit of "Dusty Miller" from Galax --


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfkn52qzF5k

Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

Joey Lazio playing his Sorensen AX with Brett Bass and Melted Plectrum at the Baygrass Bluegrass Festival --


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTIOukqXYhc

Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

Rawhide!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4gP0kdpy7k

Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

A rarely heard, cool tune from Joey Lazio - Fred Digs Up a Hornet's Nest


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o9S4-1cLWQ&feature=youtu.be

Steve