Jacobson Nautilus Nordic-themed mandolin

[Marty Jacobson]

What are the physical characteristics of the mandolin that make this happen? If someone comes to you and says that this particular aspect is of importance in a mandolin, what would you go about doing differently in the making of the instrument?

I'm not sure exactly. But all my instruments which have been similar in this character have had stiff tops. Some have had very, very floppy backs, and some have had very, very hard backs. But all have had stiff tops.
But to answer your question, I now have specs from this particular instrument which I can use to duplicate this instrument and its tone (or very nearly so). That's the beauty of building, you build up a library of "recipes" which can be used as starting points.

[Polecat]

What a fantastic sounding instrument! I really enjoyed the celtic video, especially Sheebeg Shemore. It looks OK, too, if you like mandolins, that is

[Jim Garber]

unlike most oval-hole instruments is impossible to "overdrive", remaining clear and bell-like even when played aggressively.

What are the physical characteristics of the mandolin that make this happen? If someone comes to you and says that this particular aspect is of importance in a mandolin, what would you go about doing differently in the making of the instrument?

I would say that that would always be the ideal for any acoustic instrument. I think that is what we hear when we play some of the best. You have that headroom and that elusive character or responsiveness.

What I love about Marty's mandolins is that he is able to voice them. I spend lots of time listening to the differences in the videos for each of them and they are subtly different. I wish I could get down to his shop to play them in person. So far this Norse one sounds to the best to my old ears and i do love the look as well. I may have to start saving up for a clone.

Come to think of it, Marty, I just looked at the proposal you sent me a few years ago and it resembles this one very much. You can read my mind, too.

[JeffD]

I would say that that would always be the ideal for any acoustic instrument. I think that is what we hear when we play some of the best. You have that headroom and that elusive character or responsiveness. .

Yes. And the other end of the stick as well, that when played very gently at low volumes the tone characteristics are still there.

I would prefer the instrument that has great tone and all volumes than the one that has amazing tone when played in the range, but loses it either louder or softer. Even if amazing was better than great.

It allows the player to play more expressively, taking advantage of that dynamic range without seeming to lose control of the instrument.

[usqebach]

Beautiful work, Marty!

I need to drop by more often. Too many of these things getting finished without my "personal seal of approval"!

Jim

[Charlieshafer]

Hi Bertram, I've done that on other mandolins (Evelyn's, for example). It looks nice.

I love this tailpiece. Period. That's just beautiful. The entire Nordic mandolin is stunning, and I know this is a different mandolin, but this tailpiece against the bridge is gorgeous.

[Charles E.]

Marty, that is a wonderful mandolin! Do you mind if I ask how the top is braced? I was wondering if it is an X.

Love your posts,

Charley

[Paul Busman]

Gorgeous in all respects Marty. As usual, this instrument is a little outside the box-- just enough to be distinctive without being oddball. If I were to commission a custom build, you would be on my very short list of luthiers.

[Marty Jacobson]

Marty, that is a wonderful mandolin! Do you mind if I ask how the top is braced? I was wondering if it is an X.

Love your posts,

Charley

Hi Charles, it's a wide single transverse brace.

[Johnny60]

Very nice! Love the "Gripping Beast" Nordic dragon design.

[red7flag]

Marty that is a truly fabulous work of art and precision. Simple design with complex motifs make a great combination. The colors just fit together. The hardware accentuates the look. Now the sound... Great sounding playing and instrument. The instrument really responded to the Irish being played. That instrument is a total success.

[amowry]

Looks and sounds awesome, Marty!

[Magnus Geijer]

Absolutely spectacular work, as expected.

/Magnus

[bernabe]

Sounds great, Marty!

[Kalasinar]

I'm relatively new to the mandolin world and i have never seen your work before... but viewing this thread and popping over to your site for a gander... wow. Just... wow. They are so unique, so beautiful... so refined. Your designs and colour schemes compliment each other so well, i'm in awe of your talent and skill. And the sound! Wonderful. Absolutely magnificent mandolins.

[jblanchard]

Outstanding tone and sustain! It just sings. Love it.

[Pete Braccio]

Beautiful. And the voice! So rich and sweet.

[Shelagh Moore]

Very nice work!

[Bertram Henze]

I love this tailpiece. Period. That's just beautiful. The entire Nordic mandolin is stunning, and I know this is a different mandolin, but this tailpiece against the bridge is gorgeous.

Yes. That's what they play in Middleearth, after a hard day's orc-slaying.
There is a reason, of course: Peter Jackson's team copied a lot from Scandinavian style.

[mandomanmike]

I have to say I absolutely LOVE mine, bought #30 used from another cafe member. Sounds larger than life and looks amazing.

Marty is an artist and craftsman of the highest order.

[billhay4]

Marty is an artist and craftsman of the highest order.

I quite agree.
Bill

[Jim Garber]

I hadn't checked on Marty's site lately but it looks like the last instrument was the carbon fiber prototype and #36 of this thread was right before that. I know he is around a posting lately here and I am hoping that he is so busy building that he has not time to update his site. Also I noticed that a few of the older blog entries have some hacked content addressing erectile dysfunction.

Give us an update, Marty, on what you have been working on lately.

[billhay4]

I had a visit from Marty and family last summer. Great people. Haven't heard much since he got back to Georgia, so I assume he's swamped with work and family and mandolins, but I'm not sure.
I did get to play the CF prototype. Nice instrument, so he may be headed in the direction. I do know he's wrestling with the age-old luthier problem -- how to actually make a living making instruments.
His site does need some updating, doesn't it? but I didn't find anything inappropriate.
Bill

[Marty Jacobson]

Also I noticed that a few of the older blog entries have some hacked content

Thanks for pointing that out, I'll clean it up. The bots never sleep.

Sorry Bill, I've been meaning to send you an email.

I have another mandolin that I will be shipping in a week or so, it's going to Pete Braccio. It's got wenge sides and neck, and the finish has been giving me fits. It finally decided to cooperate, and looks great. Hope to hear how it sounds today.

I only have one day a week for lutherie now, so I really need to stop doing any kind of repair work other than a 20 minute setup here or there. It gobbles up way too much time.

Next on the docket is a Leviathan or two, then back to carbon fiber instruments.

[Nathan Kellstadt]

That looks too cool, Marty. Always a treat seeing your work.