Mendel Octave, almost!

[Joe Mendel]

Here's the back of the most recent octave I'm working on. It should be ready in a week or two. It still needs to be level sanded & rubbed out, but I wanted to show off this piece of wood, it was beautiful before I started putting the varnish on it.

[Mark Walker]

Joe - it's STILL beautiful WITH the varnish on it! :)

[JEStanek]

Joe, that is a spectacular back. What kind of wood is it?

Jamie

[steve V. johnson]

Hey Joe,

Thanks for the pictures, that's gorgeous!!!

Say, do you know about the St. Louis Tionól? http://www.tionol.org

It's on the first weekend of April. The lovely instrument above will be all
ready by then, eh? heeehee!!

There will be a bunch of Irish players there all weekend, including a bunch of
pickers (some who hang out here) and I'll bet that a fair number of 'em would
love to meet you and your instruments and hear how they sound in a session.

Just a thought... ;-)

stv

[viv]

oooooo....dat baby got some beeeYOOteefull back!!! what kind of wood IS that?

[Joe Mendel]

Good one, Mark.
It's cocobolo, I got it from Hibdon Hardwoods here in St. Louis. I could go broke every time I go there. It's always, "well look at THIS piece of (fill in the blank) we've got", and my W.A.S. (wood acquisuition symdrome) kicks in.
Steve, I knew the St. Louis Tionól was coming up soon, thanks for the heads up. Hopefully, I can make it. Drop me a line and we can meet up. I should have this one and couple of more ready by then.

[Potosimando]

If you (the reader) haven't already enlarged Joe's photos above, then do so. I cannot imagine a more-gorgeous piece of wood. Wow. Wow. ...wow.

[Skip Kelley]

Joe, That is the finest cocobola back I have ever seen! Nice work!

[Steve-o]

Joe, your WAS is my WAS and feeding my OMAS! That's drop dead gorgeous!

[Gail Hester]

Very beautiful Joe, as usual. That is an indredible looking back. Let us know how that one sounds.

[John Flynn]

Hey Joe,

Thanks for the pictures, that's gorgeous!!!

Say, do you know about the St. Louis Tionól? http://www.tionol.org

It's on the first weekend of April. The lovely instrument above will be all
ready by then, eh? heeehee!!

There will be a bunch of Irish players there all weekend, including a bunch of
pickers (some who hang out here) and I'll bet that a fair number of 'em would
love to meet you and your instruments and hear how they sound in a session.

Just a thought... ;-)

stv
At this point, I plan on being at the Tionol banjo/mandolin workshop on Saturday with Mendel OM #2. Anyone who wants to check it out would be welcome to.

[steve V. johnson]

Joe, John, great news! I can't wait to meet your instruments!!

I have no idea what I'm going to do about workshops. My wonderful wife, Min Gates, will be
wandering around taking pix for Mike, maybe I'll do something similar. Ged Foley is real sick
of having me in his classes... lol!

I've heard from a bunch of the Bloomington contingent and there will be quite a few of us there.
Mike Keyes usually comes, too.

I'll be in the brewery Friday and Saturday evenings, and in McGurks about all day Sunday; the sessions are the thrills for me, I just love playing with new folks and friends I haven't seen for too long.

I'll be in touch directly before then, thanks very much!

Thanks!

stv

[Markkunkel]

looking WONDERFUL, Joe, as always. Thanks for sharing your work.

Mark

[Keith Newell]

Sweet Joe! I like the color and the pattern. Nice stuff, I hope to see one in person some time.
Keith
http://www.newellmandolin.com

[Joe Mendel]

Just a couple of details and it one will be ready to go. I'm planning to have it with me at Roger Landes Bouzouki/OM workshop at the St. Louis Tionól
http://www.tionol.org