Visit with michael heiden

[peterleyenaar]

Yesterday I drove from Cranbrook, B.C. to Creston, B.C., where Michael lives just outside Creston, in the hills on a beautifull Acrage.
The purpose of my visit was to have Michael touch up my Heiden mandolin, that I got from him about 3 years ago, a very fine mandolin.
The varnish had some checking due to the varnish on a new mandolin has to harden up
over a period of time.
It is always a pleasure to visit Michael, his wife Kay and Michael are gracious hosts.
Michael is a Master Luthier producing very fine and beautifull instruments , he is an perfectionist , as he worked on polishing my mandolin, he noticed that the nut was very slightly too low, perhaps a millimeter, he immediately removed all the strings, removed the nut and re-seated the nut, very slightly higher; as I mentioned, he is a perfectionist.
It is easy to see why he is so good at what he does, it also helps that he is an excellent and accomplished musician.
Here are some images of the nicest sounding and looking mandolin I have ever owned.
Attachment 164756Attachment 164757Attachment 164758Attachment 164759
Clicking on the images will show them larger.

[Don Grieser]

What's the top wood on that one and the #? Michael's top wood has the wildest cross grain patterning I've ever seen. Just gorgeous. Wish I lived close enough to pay him and you a visit. Beautiful mandolin.

[peterleyenaar]

Hi Don, I had a look at your website ; great music, very nice playing, with the quality of your playing, you should have a Heiden,although the instrument you're playing sound very nice too, who is it made by ?
The top of my Heiden is red spruce, the back is sugar maple, the number is A73, Michael has a lot of very nice tone wood.

[pheffernan]

with the quality of your playing, you should have a Heiden

Just one?

[peterleyenaar]

Now there is an impressive list of mandolins, did have an 1924 Gibson snakehead many years ago, also had a really nice
1923 F4 and a 1921 F2 many years ago, should have never let them go, only one mandolin now, probably the nicest I have ever owned
this one will outlast my by a long shot, so lucky for the next owner

[Don Grieser]

Peter, I have A-54 from 2010, a red spruce top and a little darker in color than yours. I've owned it for a few years and it's a keeper. No one gets tone like Heiden. Absolutely my favorite mandilin builder. The Billyhawks recording was done with A-54.

[rockies]

Peter, haven't seen you for so long I thought maybe you'd left the area. I was down to Michael's in January to see him, he's building a dreadnaught for me, hoping to get it before too long. I'm glad you're still picking, maybe give me a call one day, number's in the phone book. Next time I'm down I';m having bigger dots put in the side of the fretboard to help my vision problem. Yes I do love my Heiden A-41 and play it every day.
Dave Carlson

[EvanElk]

What a beauty!

[sgarrity]

I'd love to take A-38 fo a visit up there sometime.