Luthier

[cmorbro]

What happened to Oliver Apitius.. does he no longer build mandolins ? I own one and have played a couple others.. his mandolins are great sounding and playing instruments. Just curious as I do not hear about him making them any more. Any one know why this is the case.. I know that his prices got pretty high.. but not as high as some others. When I purchased mine back in 1997 it came with a lifetime warranty as well.. not sure what to do in the event I need to utilize that if he no longer builds.. maybe he just retired.. just curious... love this mandolin.. have played it hard since I got it.. it just keeps "barkin'"

Chris

[JEStanek]

He still has a functioning website (http://apitiusmandolins.com/contactandpricing.htm). Our builder database lists him as out of production. I suggest you contact him via his contact page.

Jamie

[jefflester]

In this topic (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=12;t=51086;hl=apitius) from Feb Ashley Broder reported he was getting back into building and she had recently received one of his instruments (not necessarily a new one though).

[Matt Bowe]

The "Contact" page is dated October 2005.
The current buzz is interesting but is only speculation.
On the other hand, an Apitius (this one is from 1988) IN the hand is priceless

[Ivan Kelsall]

Oh boy ! - Matthew,that's a seriously awesome 'A' style. It's the first of that style i've seen by Oliver Apitius - is it yours ?,if so, i am truly envious,
Saska

[cmorbro]

hopefully no one mis interpreted my original post.. OA made some very serious mandolins.. and I love the one I have.. I was just curious if any one knew if he was building still or not.. I too had noticed the age of his website and had visited it a few times recently.. I hope he does continue to build.. !!

Chris

[SternART]

There was a previous thread like this where Oliver posted a response. He did indeed take a hiatus from building for awhile, but as I recall hearing,he was working again.
I don't know about his current status, maybe he will chime in.

Posted: Sep. 29 2006, 00:36 QUOTE
"just thought that I'd make it official and clear up any confusion. I have indeed gone out of business. For the first time in over 30 years I do not have a shop at all. All of my tools and equipment are packed up and in storage.
How this came about is a long story that I'm not sure I want to discuss in public. Perhaps someday I'll be able to build again but it's not in the foreseeable future.

Take care,
Oliver Apitius

From this thread: http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin....apitius (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=7;t=37589;hl=apitius)

[cmorbro]

thank you SternArt for the attached response from Oliver..

Chris

[Matt Bowe]

So that explains the wisdom behind the builder featured on today's Cafe Homepage...

[cmorbro]

confusing .....

Chris

[Matt Bowe]

Yeah.
So like, who's next.. Lloyd Loar?