Brent
Feb-08-2004, 6:35pm
I got this email from Don Kowalski last week. He has been making a flat-top mandolin kit for awhile, and is now coming out with an OM kit. He also teaches a class on building them, with some regularity in Virginia (at the same place where Niles Hokanen does his workshop). Thought some folks might be interested. I'm going to get one.
Brent
Dear friends,
I finally finished the construction of my new OM kit. The "Mill Creek". I had a bout with the flu and became very backlogged with repairs but its done and I am really pleased with it. I am writing to let you know I am in the process of writing the instruction book. I appreciate your interest and patience. This kit is fantastic. It is easy to put together and has a great sound. I am anticipating it will be ready for sale to the public in another month. It will come with all the same features as my mandolin kit. There will also be an option of tuning machines, tailpiece, and strings. The complete kit with everything will sell for $295 shipped anywhere in the Continental USA and $245 shipped anywhere in the Continental USA without the options mentioned. The pics show the instrument unfinished but I was so excited, I had to share it with you. As a further service, I will be available to help you every step of the way via the internet just as I do with my mandolin kit which has had great success. If you would like to see some sample pics from the instructions please let me know. Below is what will be in the kit. I make the kit and do all the work myself to insure its quality. This is a high quality instrument that will have a resale value of more than what it costs.
· 1 set of instructions
· 1 book matched black walnut back
· 1 book matched spruce top (sound board)
· 1 set of book matched sides (pre bent)
· 1 neck block (new bolt on design)
· 1 tail block
· 1 strip of wood for back spline
· 1 set of strips of kerfing /lining
· 1 set of wood braces (2 pieces of the same length) for the back
· 1 set of wood braces for the sound board consisting of 1 short wooden brace and 2 pieces for the X brace. The braces are precarved with an induced arch
· 1 neck with adjustable truss rod
· 1 peg head overlay veneer
· 1 bone nut
· 1 ebony bridge blank
· 1 tail piece with 3 screws (optional)
· 1 set of tuners (optional)
· 1 set of strings (optional)
· 1 slotted fingerboard (Pau Ferro) 22.875" scale length
· fret wire
· label
· 6 pearl inlay dots
· Truss rod cover
· 1 ebony heel cap
· 2 clamping wedges
· cardboard diamond template
· Masonite (MDF) clamping strips
Thanks for your interest and I look forward to working with you. This is the same kit I will be using at the Front Royal workshops in April. Thanks for your support.
Don
Don Kawalek
Master Craftsman in wood / Luthier
at home= kawalek@crosslink.net
at work= dkawalek@access.k12.wv.us
http://mywebpage.netscape.com/kawalekd/homepage/index.html
Brent
Dear friends,
I finally finished the construction of my new OM kit. The "Mill Creek". I had a bout with the flu and became very backlogged with repairs but its done and I am really pleased with it. I am writing to let you know I am in the process of writing the instruction book. I appreciate your interest and patience. This kit is fantastic. It is easy to put together and has a great sound. I am anticipating it will be ready for sale to the public in another month. It will come with all the same features as my mandolin kit. There will also be an option of tuning machines, tailpiece, and strings. The complete kit with everything will sell for $295 shipped anywhere in the Continental USA and $245 shipped anywhere in the Continental USA without the options mentioned. The pics show the instrument unfinished but I was so excited, I had to share it with you. As a further service, I will be available to help you every step of the way via the internet just as I do with my mandolin kit which has had great success. If you would like to see some sample pics from the instructions please let me know. Below is what will be in the kit. I make the kit and do all the work myself to insure its quality. This is a high quality instrument that will have a resale value of more than what it costs.
· 1 set of instructions
· 1 book matched black walnut back
· 1 book matched spruce top (sound board)
· 1 set of book matched sides (pre bent)
· 1 neck block (new bolt on design)
· 1 tail block
· 1 strip of wood for back spline
· 1 set of strips of kerfing /lining
· 1 set of wood braces (2 pieces of the same length) for the back
· 1 set of wood braces for the sound board consisting of 1 short wooden brace and 2 pieces for the X brace. The braces are precarved with an induced arch
· 1 neck with adjustable truss rod
· 1 peg head overlay veneer
· 1 bone nut
· 1 ebony bridge blank
· 1 tail piece with 3 screws (optional)
· 1 set of tuners (optional)
· 1 set of strings (optional)
· 1 slotted fingerboard (Pau Ferro) 22.875" scale length
· fret wire
· label
· 6 pearl inlay dots
· Truss rod cover
· 1 ebony heel cap
· 2 clamping wedges
· cardboard diamond template
· Masonite (MDF) clamping strips
Thanks for your interest and I look forward to working with you. This is the same kit I will be using at the Front Royal workshops in April. Thanks for your support.
Don
Don Kawalek
Master Craftsman in wood / Luthier
at home= kawalek@crosslink.net
at work= dkawalek@access.k12.wv.us
http://mywebpage.netscape.com/kawalekd/homepage/index.html