View Full Version : Phoenix auction mandolin
lmartnla
Jan-28-2008, 1:40pm
I have seen others posting about mandolins in progress and I thought some of you might be interested in the Phoenix mandolin Rolfe Gerhardt is building for me after my wife won it in the auction for Butch Baldassari. #She had already bought me another mandolin for Christmas, but in shopping for it she saw the auction for Butch on the Café website. #For awhile I couldn’t understand her wanting to buy me yet another mandolin, but then I saw an email that Rolfe had sent her referring to her having said to him that she wanted to help since she had faced her own cancer treatment without insurance years ago. #I wasn’t about to argue with that. #In truth the real generosity here is Rolfe’s—he is donating his effort and materials. #My wife just bidded the price a little higher, but we are still getting more mandolin than our price. #My subsequent communications with Rolfe, and reading and hearing about his mandolins from others make me dream maybe this one will end our long-standing affliction with MAS. #
So right after Christmas Rolfe contacted us wanting some decisions so he could start the mandolin. #Some years ago he had built around 6 neoclassical mandolins (the Europa series) with European sycamore maple, which is his favorite wood for mandolins (see his website). #He said that he had acquired another rare batch of that wood and he would make our mandolin the first in a new limited series of Europas. #That sounded good for me. #Since then Rolfe has kept us updated on building progress and good-humoredly answered all of my questions about the process. #I had never thought that I might ever have a mandolin built for me, but the path has been delightful. No waiting period on this one; Rolfe wants to fulfill his commitment to Butch ASAP. #Rolfe is a special person and I just know I will treasure the mandolin he is building. #I have never seen a Phoenix in the flesh and can’t wait to hear the tone from the sycamore maple.---Lou Martin
I have always felt that a one-piece back would be special, so here is the back he picked for me, clamped on a backing to keep it from warping before it is glued to the sides.
lmartnla
Jan-28-2008, 1:42pm
This mandolin will have a sound port so I can hear all the tone while I am playing it.
The tone bars glued to the top are designed based on Rolfe’s scientific studies. They are graphite-laminated, with asymmetrical placement designed for full tone and projection using light strings with the neoclassical model.
lmartnla
Jan-28-2008, 1:46pm
The f-holes have been cut and a pickup is installed in case I get good enough and brave enough to use it.
lmartnla
Jan-28-2008, 1:47pm
Rolfe’s ‘necking’ mandolins. Mine is at the bottom. The neck has an ebony center lamination.
lmartnla
Jan-28-2008, 1:49pm
The frets are in and next the headstock overlay and nut will be glued in. The nut will be moose bone, one of Rolfe's specialties..
I had to hurry and send this to you while it is still in progress, because Rolfe and his apprentice Jenny will have it completed soon. My wife Carrie thought my write-up of this would be funnier, but building a mandolin is no laughing matter.
mandolooter
Jan-28-2008, 1:52pm
We all can't wait to hear it! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
JEStanek
Jan-28-2008, 1:56pm
Wow. Congratulations and thanks to your wife. I've not seen the inside of one of Rolfe's before, that's pretty cool. I would be aquiver with excitment seeing those pictures in process.
Jamie
John Hill
Jan-28-2008, 1:57pm
Fascinating bracing pattern and nice option with the side port. Can't wait to see & hear the finished product. I really like those Neoclassicals....if only Rolfe made a mandola version.
billhay4
Jan-28-2008, 1:58pm
Lovely and interesting instrument. I hope it gets a lot of play. Sound clip when you can, please.
Bill
Don Grieser
Jan-28-2008, 1:59pm
You are going to be so happy with that Phoenix. They are something special--both in playability and tone. And you're right about Rolfe being a great human being. Congratulations.
Chris Biorkman
Jan-28-2008, 2:01pm
You're going to love it. Rolfe's mandolins are just about the best values out there. They are so playable.
lmartnla
Jan-31-2008, 7:07pm
Well my Phoenix Europa II mandolin is getting closer every day. It is really getting hard to wait. Here's a new picture of Rolfe's apprentice Jenny working on the final fine sanding before starting the finishing process. Her hands look to have a special touch which should come across to the mandolin personality. Rolfe says she is very capable. I liked seeing the snowscape outside the shop window. That mandolin won't see snow for a long long time after it gets down here.
---Lou
Brad Weiss
Jan-31-2008, 7:29pm
Speaking as one of the owners of the original six Europas, you are in for one SERIOUSLY good time very soon. #Flawless mandolins, and a dream to play#- just effortless - and gorgeous, to boot.
Rolfe's efforts on behalf of Butch only confirm what a fine man he is, lutherie aside.
niaflsbob
Jan-31-2008, 7:43pm
I WAS WITH YOU ALL THE WAY UNTIL THE PART ABOUT NOT SEEING SNOW. WEATHER FOR TOMORROW IN WESTERN NEW YORK. SNOW AND SLEET, FOLLOWED BY FREEZING RAIN, TURNING TO RAIN, THEN TURNING BACK TO SLEET, THEN TURNING BACK TO SNOW. IF ONLY IT WERE SATURDAY I WOULD HAVE THE PERFECT EXCUSE TO SIT HOME AND PICK "TIL MY FINGERS HURT.
BEST OF LUCK WITH WHAT LOOKS LIKE A LIFER MANDOLIN.
mandolirius
Jan-31-2008, 7:55pm
I can't resist responding to this for two reasons. One, I also play a Phoenix, an Ultra, that is a remarkable mandolin. The other is because I'm a huge Lou Martin fan. Lou's "Recent Work" (now over 20 years old) is one of my very favourite mandolin-oriented albums.
Happy Phoenix picking, Lou. Hope it inspires you to make a new record. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
lmartnla
Jan-31-2008, 8:06pm
That's the other Lou Martin. I have heard of him but he can't have heard of me Do you think I should change my name or bask in reflected glory?.
mandolirius
Jan-31-2008, 9:58pm
<That's the other Lou Martin. I have heard of him but he can't have heard of me Do you think I should change my name or bask in reflected glory?.>
Up to you of course, but I'd say bask in the reflected glory. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
BTW, I still hope the mandolin inspires you. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
As for the other Lou, he still needs to make a new album and I don't care what mandolin he uses. The one I mentioned was done with a Stelling, which he got a fabulous tone out of.
evanreilly
Feb-01-2008, 12:28pm
Uhhh... I believe the mandolin used by Lou Martin (a.k.a. Harry Gilmore) was a long-scale Monteleone, not a Stelling. It is pictured on the album cover.
mandolirius
Feb-01-2008, 1:34pm
<Uhhh... I believe the mandolin used by Lou Martin (a.k.a. Harry Gilmore) was a long-scale Monteleone, not a Stelling. It is pictured on the album cover.>
Ah, you're right. I should have checked. I can't seem to get anything right with this thread...wrong Lou Martin, wrong mandolin. Oh well, it's another chance to say "Lou Martin (any of them, I don't even care at this point) needs to make a new album". Maybe all the Lou Martins could get together for a massive mando session.