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Having trouble getting your action just right? The G and E strings play great but you get a buzz on the D and A? You get rid of the buzz on the D and A strings and the G and E are hard to play?

The picture above shows what may be the reason. Over time the string tension works on the saddle on a traditional style bridge creating a bow with the D and A strings riding lower, sometimes significantly. Flat or radiused fingerboard, the problem created ...

This one will travel to France, soon- upgraded with an ebony FB & Peghead Veneer (think it's radiused, too) and buckskin color.


This one is Vegan- which is pretty easy to achieve with the ebony star in the peghead and micarta nut- looks cool, too!


Bruce has been picking wood and planning with two players for their instruments (one a two point, one an F)...great visits!

I'm posting a couple of pics of an extra long armrest for a Gibson, I believe. The player picked his inlay design and it turned out great! However my photography skills (or lack of) didn't catch the pretty abalone colors all that well.

...and the Mandolin Man is back!!

He's been busy updating the shop, acquiring the best materials and, most importantly, perfecting design. There will be the B2 model line, and the customized (as only you and he can imagine together) "The Bruce" line of mandolin family instruments and arch top guitars.

Watch the Montana Lutherie website for ongoing updates: price list, design and spec lists, new instruments for sale, and questions answered.

...

Ludwick, Mandolinist of A2ZZ Band writes:
Bruce did an amazing job on my harmonic suppressor! Not only did it cure unwanted ringing and buzzing, but totally added fashion to function by inlaying my signature in Abalone."

Thanks, Z.Z.!!

A Happy Player

Thank you for the excellent work you did on my Beartooth. It's like a new mandolin: it's easier to play with the new frets and radiused fretboard. I was always happy with this mandolin now I'm even more so. Thanks again! SM



Check out our new Tshirts!

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Right now Bruce is reconditioning an 1988 Flatiron 1N and it should give many, more years of playing-Good Bones.

Radiused the Fingerboard
Refret
Radiused Nut and Bridge Saddle
Fix Seam Seperations on Back
Cracked Top *not being refinished



I will be posting several used MAC Instruments in the Classifieds, and on our website, if you're interested.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas season. Like everyone, we got behind but recently we had visitors, I started working on Rangers, and new wood came in today!

Waiting for glue to dry:




(he's working on a 1984 Flatiron: new tuners, nut, bridge and EVO fretwire)

These three came in for various things but all also received new color and finish. They're not quite done, but sure are pretty. Good job, Ryan.

We are re-modeling the shop area as it hasn't been done since 'the big change' and wanted to spruce up as we've been getting visitors and hope to see folks to plan their new instrument (or just visit) next year, too. What a mess! It's going to be great but I cannot believe how much was actually under ...