Introducing the Sorensen VX

[Steve Sorensen]

Thanks Hank. I sure do appreciate the positive support you've added all these years.

To top off this amazing run, Danny sat-in on mandolin with Kenny and Amanda Smith on Music City Roots last night!



The cameraman sure loved doing close-ups of that mandolin . . .



Here is the link to the Livestream -- https://livestream.com/musiccityroot...deos/154024529

Their set starts at about 1:15:00 Some really tasty (and tasteful) picking by Kenny and Danny throughout.

Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

Danny and his daughter Jaelee on VX and AX --

https://www.facebook.com/DannyRobert...7642583458069/

Steve

[fredfrank]

Okey-dokey. I ordered one.

[Steve Sorensen]

Great shot from the Chantilly Farm Bluegrass Festival by Deb Miller --



Steve

[hank]

Your VX as your other series are beautifully designed and executed Steve. They are bested only by your commitment to excellence. O-kee Dough-kee! Ha, sounds like time to have a party Fred! Congratulations!

[Steve Sorensen]

THIS is the VX recording that I can't wait to hear ! ! !



New CD from The Grascals due on September 1.

Steve

[Ron McMillan]

If the rest of the album is in that vein (newgrass?), I look forward to it, too.

[AlanN]

Lovely groove, with perfect instrument and vocal blends going on. The album is due to be released right before IBMA, terrific.

newgrass? sounds more 21st century old-time trad, to me

[Steve Sorensen]

As seen at the Grand Ole Opry --



Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

Here is a nice bit of Whiskey Before Breakfast with Danny Roberts on the AX and Zack Arnold (ClayBank) on Danny's VX --

https://www.facebook.com/DannyRobert...1321272423533/

Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

Here are Danny Roberts and Kelsi Harrigill backstage at the MACC show this weekend Bluegrass Stompin' on their VXs. Sound isn't great but the licks are amazing!

https://www.facebook.com/DannyRobert...6183758603951/

Steve

[Gladys S]

If only he was still around to try it. What would he say?

[Steve Sorensen]

Well, this is exciting! ! ! September 29 release --



Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

Here are a couple of videos from the Milan Bluegrass Festival in Michigan this weekend from the sound man, Jimmy Kittle.

The Grascals with Danny Roberts on his Sorensen VX -
https://www.facebook.com/MilanBluegr...3488159095281/

Flatt Lonesome with Kelsi Harrigill (eight months pregnant) on her Sorensen VX -
https://www.facebook.com/MilanBluegr...2575685853195/

Jimmy said, "I ran the sound for the festival and there were two mandolins that were standout, the Sorensens and a Pava."

Kind of cool when you catch the sound man's ear!

Steve

[Ron McMillan]

Here are a couple of videos from the Milan Bluegrass Festival in Michigan this weekend from the sound man, Jimmy Kittle.


Jimmy said, "I ran the sound for the festival and there were two mandolins that were standout, the Sorensens and a Pava."

That's wonderful, considering the competition the Sorensens and the Pava would have been up against.

[Steve Sorensen]

Here's a peek at a current VX build . . . first coat of varnish just applied --



Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

Here is a really good video from Zack Arnold (ClayBank) on his new Sorensen VX just about 24 hours after he first started picking on it --

https://www.facebook.com/zack.arnold...7269163795472/

Some pictures of the finished instrument --



Of course, I am more than thrilled that this VX was built for such a fine player. Can't wait to hear the new ClayBank recordings.

Steve

[Ron McMillan]

Here is a really good video from Zack Arnold (ClayBank) on his new Sorensen VX just about 24 hours after he first started picking on it
Of course, I am more than thrilled that this VX was built for such a fine player. Can't wait to hear the new ClayBank recordings.

Steve

Lovely sounding instrument, Steve. I never saw a finger rest being put through such a strenuous work-out

[Steve Sorensen]

Some video of Zack Arnold and Danny Roberts wringing out their VXs in Raleigh --

https://www.facebook.com/11964550814...7682143004083/

https://www.facebook.com/11964550814...7229033049394/

Zack's had been out of the case about 5 minutes total at the time these were recorded.

Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

If you were looking for a good long sample of VX mandolins in action, here it is --

In this video, Danny Roberts (The Grascals) and Zack Arnold (ClayBank) spend about 15 minutes picking on a pair of Sorensen VXs in the California Bluegrass Association suite at IBMA 2017.

Zack is playing his brand new VX; Danny's VX is a little over a year old.

They switch instruments at about 5:45, the switch back at about 10:30. Recorded with my Samsung Galaxy7; no sound adjustments. A bit of crowd noise from the room next door in the background.



I can't tell you how wonderful and helpful it has been to have the wisdom, skill, and instrument experience of a brilliant player/mandolin expert like Danny in the mix. Zack is 17 . . . and already an amazing player and person. Can't wait to hear what comes next from these guys ! ! !

Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

Zack just posted this bit of video picking with his pal and ClayBank guitarist Jacob Greer --

https://www.facebook.com/zack.arnold...0971610091894/

Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

A birthday present of TONE!

https://www.facebook.com/danny.rober...0336841678405/

Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

Ol' Dangerfield --

https://www.facebook.com/zack.arnold...7718086083913/

Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

A shot of "White Lightnin'" with a fine mandolin break at about 1:40 --



Steve

[Steve Sorensen]

My goal with these instruments is to deliver easy playability, balanced even response across the neck, and tonal complexity.

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

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

Steve