Old wave solocomp jm

[Ted Eschliman]

A year after its conception and out of the Woodmaster's bench (http://oldwavemandolins.com), my custom Dola project is now in my studio. After the JazzMando research assistants have had their chance at it, we'll have a review on my site, but until then, here are some preliminary pictures.

[Ted Eschliman]

It started with my experience with Ken Sager's Old Wave OM 1-1/2 years ago, when he had to beat me off with a stick to get it out of my hands. I knew I had to have something like it, but I wanted a mandola range instrument, 4-string, and Bill suggested the cutaway, similar to a Z-dola he'd already made.

[Ted Eschliman]

Bill always gets the best woods in the world!

[Ted Eschliman]

Love the tortoise-oid binding!

[Ted Eschliman]

Blonde finish with tortoise binding, yum!

[Ted Eschliman]

Nice touch with the pickguard; needed something to anchor the Kent Armstong custom p/u. This jewel is what he came up with:

[MandoSquirrel]

Congrats, Ted, looks lovely, I'll be looking forward to the review!

[Ted Eschliman]

Gets really interesting here, Gold Grover Lock-tite tuners with gold pearloid buttons. Strung up with JD-13 JazzDola Flatwound Mandola Strings (http://jazzmando.com/jd13_flatwound_mandola_strings.shtml), of course:

[Ted Eschliman]

This sounds like a million bucks through my Fender Blues Junior Amp; it sounds like butter unplugged as well. I didn't expect it to be so warm AND punchy. This will be ideal for chord-melody playing, and I'm looking forward to getting acquainted.

If you don' hear from me for a while, it'll be because I’m busy playing...

C'GDA!!!

[mandolooter]

C-ya in a few weeks Ted...lol!

[JEStanek]

Stunning, Lucky boy! Congrats to Master Bussman on such a fine creation.

Jamie

[kyblue]

Wow!

[otterly2k]

very groovy

[Ken Sager]

Nice looking instrument, Ted. Congrats. I'd love to hear it... sound clips man! Do it!

Best,
Ken

[mandopete]

Yeah, but is it bluegrass?

Really cool axe man!

[MandoSquirrel]

It's probably as Bluegrass as Ted is http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[delsbrother]

Is the pickguard really that thick? Or is it some kind of torsion-box thang?

Agree on the need for soundclips... :0

[Tripp Johnson]

That's beautiful!

[bush-man]

Very impressive indeed. Love the leopard spot pick guard.

russell

[ShaneJ]

Seriously cool! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blues.gif

[Steve Davis]

I'd like to hear a clip as well. Bill sure gets great wood and knows what to do with it. Must be fun to play.

[Ted Eschliman]

Hopefully, I can get some sound clips up soon. This baby continues to mature; it's really hard to put down.
Meantime, here is the official review: Solocomp JM (http://jazzmando.com/bill_bussman_jm.shtml).

[Duc Vu]

Ted,
Please forgive my ignorance, but why four instead of eight strings?

[Ted Eschliman]

Purely personal taste; the single course has given me a greater control and finesse over phrasing and dynamics. I can push & pull without strings going out of tune from each other, transfer from note to note more subtley, access sustain, and actually use vibrato.

I know tremolo is a broadly revered characteristic unique to mandolin, but I've never really liked the sound of it, and gladly trade it for the aforementioned qualities. It puts the responsiblities of sustain heavily into my left hand, but that's always been my approach to the instrument.

It's not everybody's cup of tea, but as I carve out my own sound and playing style, this seems to work marvelously for me.

[Dale Ludewig]

Hey Ted,

Does this thing have a pickup built into it? It should! It looks great. I hope it sounds as well. And yes: 4 strings, but that would imply electric, not?

Very nice. Tremelo isn't a big deal with me either, but it does have its place. Just not on this instrument!

Dale

[Bill Snyder]

Isn't the pickup right below the fretboard?

[delsbrother]

Ted, have you thought about playing...a guitar? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Ted Eschliman]

Yes, Darrell, for about 35 years. It was the lure and the logic of the 5ths tuning that brought me to the mandolin. I finally sold off my last guitar last winter, and there's no turning back!

[Dale Ludewig]

Bill- I should open my eyes once in awhile. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Scott Tichenor]

Haven't had a chance to see Ted's new toy, but this afternoon mando pal and board member Tim Little showed up at my afternoon gig with his new guitar body shaped octave mandolin from Bill Bussman. Visually and in the tone department this things is a monster. I hope Tim can post some images of it. It was hitting on all cylinders. Beautiful job there, Bill!

[johnwalser]

I'm in love with tremolo on my mandolin and my new mandola, now under construction, will have 8 strings. My Schwab electric 4 string don't do none of that pick flickin' trick, but it sure can sound real pretty for single note, double stops and chords are like a religious experience. Both 4 and 8 string instruments have their place in my heart.

I have Ted's CD that features his fine guitar play (99 cent stores have some real bargains) and as a long time guitar player myself, I fully understand the magical perfection of tuning in 5ths. It makes all things possible! I still have an Ovation guitar that I take out of the case every six months or so to let a visitor play.

Great looking instrument. I'm looking forward to hearing a sound clip.
John

[Keith Erickson]

Ted.

That is defintely sweet lóókin' http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[glauber]

It's missing half of the strings! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif