View Full Version : Steven Andersen Mandolins...
Spruce
Mar-04-2004, 6:37pm
Well, this isn't my mandolin, but I sure wish it was...
What a great looking mandolin...
Steven Andersen (http://www.andersenguitars.com/) has been building some great instruments over the last 30 years or so, but lately has been concentrating on his archtop guitar designs.
So it was really a pleasure to see him show up at Wintergrass last weekend with a new mandolin in tow, and it's a stunner. #Great design, woods (I'm a sucker for that kind of thing), and tone...
A classy instrument that he calls the F Moderne...
Here's some pics....
(No financial insterest, blah, blah, blah...)
mandolooter
Mar-04-2004, 6:38pm
SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Classy looker dat one!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
mandolooter
Mar-04-2004, 6:41pm
Looks real similar to the other one...
ronlane3
Mar-04-2004, 6:42pm
Very nice, I like how the pickguard color is continued into the fretboard.
mandofiddle
Mar-04-2004, 6:43pm
Wow, I like his use of wood in the fretboard, to make the pickguard look as if its extending into it... Absolutely beautiful!
Spruce
Mar-04-2004, 6:43pm
Cool look....
ronlane3
Mar-04-2004, 6:44pm
show us the back please.
Spruce
Mar-04-2004, 6:45pm
One more....
Spruce
Mar-04-2004, 6:52pm
And the back.....
Spruce
Mar-04-2004, 6:54pm
Author!
mandopete
Mar-04-2004, 7:03pm
That is beyond cool!!!
Superbe! and the tone? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
jasona
Mar-04-2004, 8:42pm
Very nice!
Only thing is that the wood grain of the inlay/fingerrest reminds me of my parent's basement walls circa 1977... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
ethanopia
Mar-04-2004, 9:37pm
humina humina humina....
AussieRoger
Mar-04-2004, 9:42pm
That is the mando I want. I'm gonna get me one if'n it's the last thing I do! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif
Spruce
Mar-04-2004, 11:50pm
Just one more....
killer! Love the pickguard and fretboard. Binding looks great!
Ken Berner
Mar-05-2004, 10:16am
A stunning piece of work! I really like the flow of lines on the front; sort of reminds me of the old Jaguar XK 120 (automobile).
PhilGE
Mar-05-2004, 1:18pm
Really different. The flow of the arc down the center of the instrument begins at the peghead, flows through the pickguard and doubles back through the tailpiece. Nice fade on the top and back with great flame on the back, too. I like the fade from black to high contrast grain on the back of the peghead.
-Phil
What?, No dots? That is a really nice design with unique appointments. It's nice to see something different.
WOW, that's an amazing looking instrument. Bruce, if you had a chance to play it or hear it, what did it sound like?
Jim Watts
mikeomando
Mar-06-2004, 12:33am
Did it at least have dots on the top of the neck?
grsnovi
Mar-06-2004, 1:41am
Man, that is so sweet!
I didn't notice that the arc curved down to the tail piece - that is just stunning.
Beautiful work.
You know, its web pages like this that totally fuel my sick need for more instruments.
Michael Lewis
Mar-07-2004, 2:06am
Steve Andersen has a really great talent for design. His work generally seems to be less ornamented and more efficient visually. Also, his instruments generally sound great.
mandoJeremy
Mar-07-2004, 12:02pm
Has anyone here ever played Bush's Andersen F-5? He said it was loud but I have never seen it in person.
Mandojeremy I have heard him played it. It was really loud! One of the best playing F-5's I have ever played was Andersen F-5 from Joe "I can't remember his last name" from Missouri. I lost touch with him some years ago. He attended a Butch Baldasarri seminar in 94 or 95 with me. It was a excellent mandolin with superb craftsmanship. Joe if your reading this hey man!
Spruce
Mar-07-2004, 1:54pm
"Bruce, if you had a chance to play it or hear it, what did it sound like? "
The F Moderne sounded great, but it needed to be beat up a bit just like any new mandolin...
I didn't want to be the one to do it.... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Here's some pics of a guitar Steve built for me several years ago...
Note the 2-piece back which is actually a 1-piece back with a 3/4" wing on the lower bout...
A beautiful canvas for a beautiful piece of Bigleaf....
Red Spruce on the top....
It's a ear-ripper....
Spruce
Mar-07-2004, 1:56pm
Here's the back....
The cabinets are also Bigleaf....
mandoryan
Mar-07-2004, 3:06pm
Man that back on that guitar is something else. WOW!!! There aren't many words for that! Bruce, you've got some incredible instruments in your collection there. I am one envious man here.
Ted Eschliman
Mar-07-2004, 4:43pm
Schweengggg!...
mandoaz
Mar-08-2004, 6:53pm
Absolutely gorgeous!
squirrelabama
Nov-01-2008, 1:22am
Anyone up for posting a pic of their Andersen, or perhaps an Andersen they are lusting after? Here is #125. c.1990. What ever happened to that oval holed A that was kicking around the market place about 8 months ago?;)
mrmando
Nov-19-2008, 6:00pm
Not the greatest photo, but here's my '84 Andersen mandocello. http://seattlemandolin.org/images/T-shirt.jpg
John Rosett
Nov-20-2008, 12:59pm
I met Steve at the Folklife Festival in Seattle In '81, and ordered my first real mandolin from him. It was a curly koa bodied A style, I think #24 or so. I asked for a sunburst on the top to match the koa, and he did a beautiful job. He told me it was his first sunburst. I have a picture of it somewhere, but everything's packed up now.
squirrelabama
Sep-01-2009, 11:39am
Some Andersen siblings for your viewing pleasure....
mandopete
Sep-01-2009, 11:44am
Okay, I'll bite - what is the story behind those two beauties?
squirrelabama
Sep-01-2009, 12:19pm
The F5 is a 1990, it is #125. Have had it for a few years now, and it is a real BG machine (actually, it is quite appropriate for any style of music). Loud, balanced, all the adjectives folks use. (don't worry, this one will not be gracing the classifieds any time soon)
The H-5 is a 1993, # 164. it is X-braced. I have always wanted a "matched" set mandolin/mandola, and when this Dola popped up in the classifieds a month or so ago, I jumped on it, and was not disappointed. If I ever find an Andersen F-style cello or octave, I might be in trouble with the wife..... however I doubt such a beast exhists. This F-style dola is rare enough as it is.... not sure Steve made too many of these. They sure are fun though!! -Geoff
Jake Wildwood
Sep-01-2009, 9:20pm
It recalls to mind classic 30s and 40s cars more than mandolins. I love it.