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Thread: The new Sorensen Stealth . . .

  1. #51
    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
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    Default Re: The new Sorensen Stealth . . .

    Oh, they'll be hot rods for sure!
    Steve
    Steve Sorensen
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  2. #52
    Kelley Mandolins Skip Kelley's Avatar
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    Default Re: The new Sorensen Stealth . . .

    Quote Originally Posted by StevenS View Post
    The next Stealth attack is gathering momentum . . .

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    Steve
    Steve, those pegheads are wicked cool!

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  4. #53
    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
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    Default Re: The new Sorensen Stealth . . .

    Cool shot of the hot rod red Stealth on the big stage with Jimmy Mattingly --

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    Steve
    Steve Sorensen
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  5. #54
    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
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    Default Re: The new Sorensen Stealth . . .

    Doing a little late night testing of the next Stealth before finishing --

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    Steve
    Steve Sorensen
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  6. #55
    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
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    Default Re: The new Sorensen Stealth . . .

    Well, this is cool to see!

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    A great shot of Jimmy Mattingly with Stealth #2 in the final Nashville show for epic tour of Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood! Photo credit - Karen Grouten

    Steve
    Steve Sorensen
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  7. #56
    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
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    Default Re: The new Sorensen Stealth . . .

    In a different, and rather silly string of this Forum, questions arose about using bamboo composite "wood" for mandolin construction.

    I'll admit, the question had entered my mind as well. Since bamboo is becoming more available, is easily renewable, and has a stiffness and density similar to red oak, it seemed like a natural thing to test.

    Now that we are past April Fools Day, and I've had some time to see how this build matured . . .

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    This is the initial Stealth prototype (previously shown with it's flat black "stealth" disguise). Top, back, neck, and sides are all milled from bamboo.

    Now, after half a year, I'll report, the tone of this instrument is really pretty and "chimey" with good bass, moderate power, and very bright focused trebles. Of course, I really had to think about the top graduations to get a tone balance which would be acceptable. The neck has an adjustable truss rod, and has remained dead-straight.

    Milling the bamboo material generated a fine wheat-smelling dust . . . which permeated the shop, lingered, and, unfortunately for me, was really hard on the lungs . . . even with a good dust mask.

    Bottom line -- This was a really interesting experiment. One can make a good sounding mandolin using only bamboo, but as long as there is reasonably priced maple and spruce in the world, it seems like a novelty only.

    Steve

    PS - The second Stealth prototype (Red and Black), currently being played by Jimmy Mattingly, was Sitka Spruce top, Sugar Maple back, Mahogany neck, bamboo rim assembly. His assessment from the studio and stage is that, "It has far better tone, balance, and power than (his) Sam Bush model Gibson." I think the third Stealth build, which goes into finishing soon, is even better.
    Steve Sorensen
    Sorensen Mandolin & Guitar Co.
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  8. #57
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    Default Re: The new Sorensen Stealth . . .

    Whoa!

  9. #58
    Registered User John Soper's Avatar
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    Default Re: The new Sorensen Stealth . . .

    That first Stealth was a fine sounding instrument! It would be interesting to hear how it matured.

  10. #59
    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
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    Default Re: The new Sorensen Stealth . . .

    Thanks John!

    I found that in a jam, the bamboo top doesn't have the power of a spruce-topped instrument. Sure doesn't deliver the power of the Spruce/Sugar Maple second prototype.

    I would love to hear how it records for a really good classical player, because the complexity of the crystal chime of the A and E courses . . . particularly up the neck . . . are really attractive to my ear.

    Steve
    Steve Sorensen
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  11. #60
    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
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    Default Re: The new Sorensen Stealth . . .

    When the first round of finishing starts to get you really excited about a new instrument . . .

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    Steve
    Steve Sorensen
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  13. #61
    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
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    Default Re: The new Sorensen Stealth . . .

    This hot rod is ready DRIVE!

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    Steve
    Steve Sorensen
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  15. #62
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    Default Re: The new Sorensen Stealth . . .

    I dig that box!! Amazing, Steve, as always...
    Chuck

  16. #63
    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
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    Default Re: The new Sorensen Stealth . . .

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  18. #64
    Kelley Mandolins Skip Kelley's Avatar
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    Default Re: The new Sorensen Stealth . . .

    Steve, that's just too cool! I love the blue color! Nice tail piece too; it really fits well with the mandolins design!

  19. #65
    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
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    Default Re: The new Sorensen Stealth . . .

    Thank you, Skip!

    I've always loved the "Electric Blue" look on hot rods, so this build has been a dream for a while.

    The tailpiece is the result of a long, long, long effort with 3D printed steel. Based on how this one performs, there will still be tweaks, I'm sure.

    Steve
    Steve Sorensen
    Sorensen Mandolin & Guitar Co.
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  21. #66
    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
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    Default Re: The new Sorensen Stealth . . .

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    Steve Sorensen
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  23. #67
    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
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    Default Re: The new Sorensen Stealth . . .

    Steve Sorensen
    Sorensen Mandolin & Guitar Co.
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  25. #68
    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
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    Default Re: The new Sorensen Stealth . . .

    I got a call from Andy Statman asking if he could check out the new cobalt blue Stealth while he was in LA for a show. It was fascinating watching him run a "first pass" on the mandolins I brought -- he played hard and pushed to the extremes.



    Steve
    Steve Sorensen
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  27. #69
    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
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    Default Re: The new Sorensen Stealth . . .

    Justin Harrison is taking the new cobalt blue Stealth out on tour with Nu-Blu for a while. Got this quick video before they headed north to Modesto --



    Steve
    Steve Sorensen
    Sorensen Mandolin & Guitar Co.
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  28. #70

    Default Re: The new Sorensen Stealth . . .

    It sounds great and looks appropriate for the Nu-Blu name! Eye-catching especially for those in the back of an auditorium! Can't wait to hear them on Aug 25 at San Diego.

  29. #71

    Default Re: The new Sorensen Stealth . . .

    Steve: these players are all fantastic, but I wonder how many people are like me, wishing I could hear the Stealth (or other Sorensens) played in a gentle, melodic manner, perhaps in the style of Isaac Eicher or Don Stiernberg?

    I know, I know, some people are never satisfied

  30. #72
    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
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    Default Re: The new Sorensen Stealth . . .

    Ron,

    Ha! It seems that the Stealth urges players to throw on the power.

    Did you take a listen to this video (below) from Danny Roberts in the Sorensen Tone string? Although you might not see it from the outside, his VX has very similar graduations and voicing to the blue Stealth and now has two years of busy play-time on it --



    The balance and complexity of response that Danny achieves with this mandolin is my target for ALL Sorensen builds.

    To me, the magic of the 1920s Loar-era mandolins is that they can deliver a range of response which satisfies the full spectrum of modern mandolin players in all genres of music. And while my goal is to breathe fresh style into my builds, I am also determined to match that well-established target of excellence in balance, complexity, range of responsiveness, and genre-spanning richness which are exemplified in the finest Loar-signed mandolins.

    This is why I describe the Stealth as a "Hotrod" -- because, it starts with a deep love of the traditional old original, and then goes from there with the modern, sleek, comfortable, powerful playability.

    Steve
    Steve Sorensen
    Sorensen Mandolin & Guitar Co.
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  32. #73
    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
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    Default Re: The new Sorensen Stealth . . .

    Here's Silas Powell picking some Get Up John the black Sorensen Stealth prototype --



    Steve
    Steve Sorensen
    Sorensen Mandolin & Guitar Co.
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  33. #74
    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
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    Default Re: The new Sorensen Stealth . . .

    Here is a YouTube video of Danny Roberts talking about the cobalt blue Stealth --



    I previously posted a link to this post from Facebook and realized that it may not be accessible for everyone.

    At just over a year old, I believe that this mandolin is maturing nicely and is in quite capable hands!

    Also, here is a video of Silas Powell on the original black Stealth doing a bit of "My Last Days on Earth" in honor of Ol' Bill --



    Steve
    Steve Sorensen
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  35. #75
    Registered User Aaron Smith's Avatar
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    Default Re: The new Sorensen Stealth . . .

    Wow :0 so powerful and open!
    current joys:
    Gibson F-5G | Northfield A5 Special | Kentucky KM-150 | Mid-Mo M-70 Octave | Martin HD-28V | Gold Tone BC-350 | 5-string Mandoblaster | Les Paul | Strat | Piano | Bongos | Tacoma Thunderchief | old Dobro | Some amps & microphones

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