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Montana Lutherie

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  1. Mandolin Peghead Scroll Repaired

    Here's one I thought you might like- there's a few of these out there!

    After the scroll was broken off they filed it down on the peghead to soften the edges and blend in a bit. So, the old scroll (which they kept) wouldn't fit and a new scroll had to made.

    Before and after pics.
    The owner wanted the back of the peghead left dull, but they can be shined up like the front.

    Click image for larger version. 

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  2. Our New Shop

    We are settled in our new place and temporary shop. Bruce is accepting tune ups, repairs, customizations again! We also are accepting MAC Instruments to sell for you (we have two great ones on our website, now).
    The Christmas season isn't usually the time you want to mess with this sort of thing, but I suddenly realized I hadn't posted here yet! If you have any questions or topics don't hesitate to email or give Bruce a call.

    Here's hoping you have a very Merry Christmas ...
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  3. Mandolin Bridges

    I just saw this blog post we did- it's been a year (!) but the info is always timely.

    Any of the bridge issues below will rob your instrument of tone and volume and are responsible for more players going on a new string brand or gauge hunt because their instrument just doesn’t sound like it used to.

    I know I’ve posted on this topic a few times before, however recently Bruce has gotten quite a few instruments in for miscellaneous work and noticed almost all had bridge ...
  4. Shipping Your Repair

    These days shipping can be a big expense. We've noticed Montana Lutherie's UPS costs often are quite a bit cheaper than individual shipping costs.
    We can email you the UPS shipping tag to tape on your box, and you can just drop it off at the local UPS center. Then, the expense will just be tacked on your repair cost.

    Be sure to ask us about this service, when getting your repair ready!

    Click image for larger version. 

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  5. If your mando is older, you may have SADDLE SAG...

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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 ...
  6. Happy Ranger Owner, home on leave, wrote a nice review- Update

    A little update as the first Cherry Ranger went out today- sounds fantastic! Just thought some might be interested in these woods that are a bit different.
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    Thanks, NP!

    I love my Ranger! I upgraded to the walnut with radiused ebony fretboard. From the start I was blown away with how great it looked and sounded! You can’t beat its size and portability as ...

    Updated Sep-07-2018 at 5:20pm by Mary Weber

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  7. Worthless For All But a String Holder

    Any of the bridge issues below will rob your instrument of tone and volume and are responsible for more players going on a new string brand or gauge hunt because their instrument just doesn’t sound like it used to.

    I know I’ve posted on this topic a few times before, however recently Bruce has gotten quite a few instruments in for miscellaneous work and noticed almost all had bridge issues: poor fit, leaning towards the fingerboard, some bases flipped bass for treble, and messed ...
  8. Custom Rangers

    This one will travel to France, soon- upgraded with an ebony FB & Peghead Veneer (think it's radiused, too) and buckskin color.
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    This one is Vegan- which is pretty easy to achieve with the ebony star in the peghead and micarta nut- looks cool, too!
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    Bruce has been picking wood and planning with two players for their instruments (one a two point, one an F)...great visits!
  9. Mando 118 Years Old

    Here's a nice (and interesting) letter we received from a repair.
    Mandos can sure get around:


    My Grandfather Peter E Anderson was listed on the 1900 census as living in an apartment in Kentucky with three other LDS missionaries. Before he left the mission field to come home, he bought his wife Clara a mandolin. My father gave the mandolin to Pamela when we were newlyweds because she was the only member of the extended family that owned and played a mandolin.
    Several ...
  10. Custom Armrest

    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.
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