New Apitius - Teaser Pics

[Austin Bob]

Thought I'd post some pics of my soon to be mando. It is coming along very nicely indeed. I can't wait to see it once he adds the stain and French polish.

Oliver has been a pleasure to deal with and doesn't seem to mind me asking 500 questions, some of them multiple times.

I'm going on vacation about the time it will be done, so I expect to take delivery in mid-July.

[MontanaMatt]

Looks mighty fine! I love that one piece back. It'll be a slow three months, I'm sure.
Thanks for sharing

[Timbofood]

The "dovetail" on the point is one of the little things that often is not done, it's these tiny details that make the whole so much greater than the parts. Any one thing by itself, meh, but when they all come together, it is beautiful!

[Austin Bob]

It's moving right along folks. Just got this one today, he's applied the stain and shellac.
Man, she's a beauty!

[MontanaMatt]

Beautiful!

[usqebach]

Beauty!

[Ron McMillan]

Oh it does look lovely. More pictures when you get them, please

[Skip Kelley]

That is a sharp looking mandolin! Oliver is a great builder! Congratulations!

[Denny Gies]

It's not nice to tease, Bob. Enjoy.

[Austin Bob]

It's not nice to tease, Bob. Enjoy.

Denny, it's actually the builder who is teasing me. The mandolin will be ready sometime after the end third week of June, but could possibly be held held up due to CITES concerns crossing the border from Canada to the US. Since I'll be on vacation early July, the safest thing to do is to wait until I get close to being home before he ships it.

Just imagine waiting for such a beautiful mandolin for so long, only to be given pictures to look at.

The only thing worse is to be separated from your love and only be able talk to her on the phone. My wife is in Vancouver this long weekend, so I know what I speak.

[Al Trujillo]

Thanks for sharing with us. I took a tour through the builder's website - Wow! That is about the nicest webpage I think I've ever seen. The photography is just incredible!

[William Smith]

Wow nice back, well the whole package is killer! He's making mandos again, Didn't he stop for a long time? That one at the music emporium looks amazing as well! Called the rosine or of the like.

[Austin Bob]

Wow nice back, well the whole package is killer! He's making mandos again, Didn't he stop for a long time? That one at the music emporium looks amazing as well! Called the rosine or of the like.

Yes, he did stop for quite a while, but now he's back. I don't know the whole story, but I think the mandolin world is a better place because he is building again, his work is fantastic.

The Rosine is a side bound model, I opted for the Vanguard, which is top bound.

[Givson]

Looks great. I'll be playing my Apitius tonight at a memorial service. Hope you enjoy yours.

[Austin Bob]

Well, it's finally done! Oliver says: "It sure represents the Apitius sound at its best." The top was bought from Roger Siminoff's private stock when he retired, and has the the best strength to weight ratio of any Adirondack spruce that he's ever used.

Kinda hard to see in the pic, but the tailpiece is custom engraved by Weldon Lister.

I'll be on vacation next week, so it won't ship until July 5th. I've waited 7 months, what's a few more weeks, right? Actually, the wait is killing me! I can't wait to see it in person, hold it, smell it, and finally play it. Am I a lucky guy or what?

[George R. Lane]

She's a stunner, that's for sure. Congrats

[MontanaMatt]

Is that Florida scooped and fretted?
Have fun getting to know your new pet

[Austin Bob]

Is that Florida scooped and fretted?
Have fun getting to know your new pet

Thanks. You are correct in your observation of the Florida. Good eye.

By the way, do you have that Ratliff broken in yet?

[Austin Bob]

I forgot to add that due to CITES, Oliver was not able to get MOP buttons for the Waverlys. But I have a set waiting for it when it gets here. The ivoroid buttons look out of place to my eyes.

[AlanN]

Sweet.

7 months is hardly a long time for a (gleam in the eye) to a (hold in yer mitts). Will look forward to your first assessment when you finally have it. If David Benedict's F-5 is any indication, it will be killer.

[Lane Pryce]

Very nice. Lp

[MontanaMatt]

Thanks. You are correct in your observation of the Florida. Good eye.

By the way, do you have that Ratliff broken in yet?

I've been pickin lots! Haven't taken time to shoot a vid of myself, but will soon.