Introducing the Sorensen VX

[Bill McCall]

I got to try Don Rigsby’s at a workshop last year and the action was so high he said he was going to lower for the evening show. I could barely play it, but in his hands it is a monster. Very powerful in the hands of a great player. Don’t care for the style, but the sound is awesome and that’s what it’s all about, for me anyway.

[Steve Sorensen]

Bill,

Don's FX just left my shop after getting a full set-up. Boy it needed the TLC! It has been out on the road for the past two years and needed adjustment across the drive-train . . . from nut to tailpiece. Hope you get a chance to pick on it again in the future.

That FX has a custom 6" to 10" compound radius fingerboard to give the feel more like the radius of a fiddle neck. I told Don when I sent it back, it still is probably my favorite instrument for feel and tone. I had used it for about 6 months before he asked to play it -- it's his baby now, but I sure do miss it.

My guess is that the VX Danny is playing in the attached video is more in line with the traditional taste.

Here's a bit of "Copinger's Court" from Danny Roberts --

https://www.facebook.com/danny.rober...0808864958692/

Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

Here's Zack Arnold (Claybank) doing a little Cattle in the Cane homework on his VX --

https://www.facebook.com/zack.arnold...8915624964159/

Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

Here's a passel more of videos of Zack Arnold on that VX with Claybank --







Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

So proud and delighted that CMT's "Favorite Albums of 2017" list includes TWO new albums featuring Sorensen VX mandolins ! ! !

The Grascals' Before Breakfast with Danny Roberts on his Sorensen VX prototype.

Flatt Lonesome's Silence In These Walls with Kelsi Harrigill on her custom Sorensen VX mandolin.



What an honor and thrill to have such amazingly talented artists picking on these mandolins!

Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

Danny Roberts, "Goodbye Liza Jane" --



Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

!!! Steve

[hank]

Don’t you just love it when our alchemy shines so brightly in the hands of our youth? How many Sorensen’s have sung at the opry now Steve?

[Steve Sorensen]

Hank,

Thank you for the persistent, positive support since early-on in the Sorensen saga!

I grew up in awe of the WSM/Opry performers, so having instruments on that storied stage is such a thrill!

I think we're at about half a dozen instruments being on the Opry. These days, since The Roys are on day-job hiatus, The Grascals and Flatt Lonesome are the most regular. I never know when Don Rigsby or Jimmy Mattingly will pop in on some project. Amazing how hard these guys work!

It is so cool, almost like watching your kids, as they fly the nest and have lives of their own! As you can tell, I am super proud of how these instruments, particularly the "X-series" mandolins, have worked with such talented artists.

Can't wait to hear the music that comes next!

Steve

PS - Here's the new song from Claybank, The Queen of Carolina --

[Steve Sorensen]

Danny Roberts and The Grascals - "Old Dangerfield" --


Mando break at about 2:20.

Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

I just came across this picture. Quite pleased with the 'burst on this wonderful one-piece Sitka top --



Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

Two years ago, at this time, the first Sorensen VX mandolin was just coming together.

Currently, there are three VX mandolins out in the world. You can find them here ! ! !



Wow! Wow! Wow!

ClayBank and Zack Arnold -- The Queen of Carolina
The Grascals and Danny Roberts -- Demons
Flatt Lonesome and Kelsi Harrigill -- Highway of Pain

I'm proud as peaches, tickled pink, thrilled to death, and on the edge of my seat waiting to hear what comes next for these great artists!

Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

A great new video by Ray Cardwell featuring some really nice mandolin work by Danny Roberts on that VX --



Steve

[hank]

Thanks Steve. I’ll add that to our summer travel music. Danny’s VX mandolin roadster sure sounds at home on that drive.

[Steve Sorensen]

Hank,

Me too!

Ray Cardwell's new CD has a really cool newgrass feel and some great musicians --



I'm excited to hear the whole thing ! ! !

Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

I don't mean to brag . . . Aw, heck yeah I do ! ! !

THIS is where you'll find the first three Sorensen VX mandolins! Wow.

Never imagined that an idea started by Danny Roberts casually saying, "If you ever have a new mando you'd like me to check out, just let me know . . ." would come together like this --



Wow Wow! Wow ! ! !

Steve

PS - Check out Kelsi's mando break at about 3:28 --

[Steve Sorensen]

[Steve Sorensen]

[Steve Sorensen]

[Steve Sorensen]

Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

I'm sorry, but this is exciting to me every time I see it --



That's THE Danny Roberts and THE Grascals on THE Grand Ol' Opry ! ! !

Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

From D'Addario's "Yurt Sessions" with Ear Trumpet Labs mics -- Flatt Lonesome with Kelsi on her VX.
Terrible video quality since it was streaming live, but good sound.

https://www.facebook.com/daddario/vi...0888908565722/

Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

I feel so incredibly lucky that the first VX has helped create a friendship with such an amazing player, artist, mentor --





Steve

[Papalobo]

beautiful work Sir!

[Steve Sorensen]

Zack Arnold picking his VX faster than the speed of light!



Steve