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The uke family instruments tuned in fifths can work quite nicely, especially for baroque music. Here are a couple links for ideas and inspiration:
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Also in the Eastman/Bourgeois booth is the new upgrade to the Eastman octave mandolin series—MDO-605. Didn't play it, hear it, or even see its flamed maple back, but it looks pretty nice. Has a...

I’d been talking off and on with Calton for almost two years about the mando case re-design, and asking when it would be available in textured bronze glitter. I pinged them again in October when I...

This particular size isn't real common, doubtful the big box stores would have them. I got them from a seller on eBay. Just search "7/8 OD X 3/8 ID X 1/16 thick" and you'll find them. Re the Fender...

Grolsch-style rubber washers are great for holding leather straps to a guitar strap button, but they're too big in every dimension (especially thickness) to fit well on a mandolin strap button....

That mandolin—same pics and description—was listed on eBay back in February 2020. I kept screenshots of the auction.

Looks great, thanks! They finally nailed it!

And a very happy ending:

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2020-07-22/the-mystery-of-a-stolen-rare-cello-has-a-surprise-ending

I've experimented recently with CGDA tuning on uke and have had better luck with a concert instrument than tenor. Not only does the concert sound better—more resonant due to less string tension—it...

Yes, thank you!

Assuming you're playing a tenor uke there, strung with a low G set of strings? That's what I'm working with, but only able to get mine down to C-G-D-A (which is cool because same as cello) but...

Bravo, what a great idea! Sounds wonderful. Gonna pull out a uke and give it a try!

Isn't it also possible that the accumulated last 10 years of high-end mandolin building has put downward pressure on Loar prices since their height? To name just one of a handful of builders, almost...

I found Debra Chen's "Standard Notation for the Tab-Addicted Mandolinist" to have many practical solutions for reading on mandolin (even if you aren't addicted to Tab).

I'd heard OF these guys, but last night I actually HEARD them at a friend's house concert here in Los Angeles. I was blown away on so many levels. They're in town because of their Best Folk Album...

Mr. Vessel seems to be killin' these days. This beautiful ivory A-3 styled octave mandolin is equally impressive (friendly 20" scale too!):

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/149510#149510

I played that Loar for a minute when I took Siminoff’s F5 building class in the summer of 2015. I'd never played one before, so I didn’t have a sufficient base of experience to judge it among other...

I saw her perform the same piece at a Prairie Home Companion performance a couple years ago in Pasadena, CA, not long after Chris Thile took over hosting, and it was absolutely breathtaking....

So pleased to see another fine builder working in this style! As to bracing, my understanding and experience is that (all else equal) tonebars will provide a more focused and projective sound, while...

When I saw the announcement I thought about the original vs. Waterloo question too, but imagined the Collings-built instrument would smoke the original in terms of build quality, sound, and...

A quick look at Spann reveals the only FON with "4091" in it to be in the 1940-1945 range, and it's a 1941 F-5, but with a "G" prefix, not "Y". In the Serial Number chapter, however, Spann shows...

PS - if you search back to 2008 you can find Joe Cleary's original post from when he finished that one and was about to take it to a show or festival!

Woo hoo! Guess I can never say "I never win anything" again!

Now let's see, F14...that's like 9 better than F5, right?!?

Many thanks, Scott, and to Mandolin Cafe and Weber Mandolins!

Totally...

I ended up selling the Eastman octave in favor of a boutique build. Great instrument, though! Had I kept it I likely would've gone with the Rubners. I don't recall the source but was able to confirm...

Here's a couple: