Going to Woodstock

[Joe Mendel]

I'm heading for the Woodstock show this weekend, I'll have three octave mandolins to show. Here are two of them, one has a Port Orford Cedar top, the other a Douglas Fir top, third one is black walnut with a red spruce top. If anyone is going to be there come by and say "Hi."

[Jim Garber]

At this moment, I am planning on going up on Sunday. Graham McDonald from DownUnderland threatens to be there for the whole weekend. Joe, I think I was there two or three years ago when we met and hung out a bit. What a fun event.

[Bill Kammerzell]

A lot going on in that neck of the woods this weekend. 10-15 miles south in Olivebridge there is a bluegrass camp at Ashokan Center.

[Walt]

Those are some handsome octaves, Joe! You brought one of your octaves when we met up years ago, and it was incredible. Black walnut, I think. How do the cedar and fir tops compare to the spruce?

FYI, the video in my signature line is one of Joe's mandocellos--a very, very cool instrument.

[Tom C]

Very nice. What going on up there? I'm a little over an hour away but trying to get thing done before shoulder replacement at end of next week.

[Graham McDonald]

The Woodstock Invitational Guitar Show. 40 or more of the best guitar (and octave mandolin) builders in the world all in one place for the weekend.

[Joe Mendel]

Thanks for the compliments. Looking forward to meeting you Graham. Yes, Jim, it was 3 or 4 years ago. Come on by. Walt, I'll give an update on the sound of these two octaves soon. We drove straight through from St. Louis, MO to Kingston, NY today, I'm beat. Claire Lynch is teaching at the Ashokan Center this weekend, she'll have a guitar I built with her, she has one of my octaves too, but I don't think it will be there.

[Jim Garber]

I would love to play your octaves. They look amazing. Are you bringing anything else?

[Joe Mendel]

I've got 3 octaves, a 12 feet 000 guitar, an open back banjo and tenor uke.

[Jim Garber]

That 12 foot guitar must be gargantuan.

[Joe Mendel]

Good catch, Jim! It's really only about 3 1/2 feet. It does have 12 frets.

[Jim Garber]

Good catch, Jim! It's really only about 3 1/2 feet. It does have 12 frets.

I was hoping for one like in this ad — tho that one is only 9 feet tall:

[Andy B]

I was there yesterday visiting with Bruce Ackerman, one of the exhibitors who is also a virtuoso in the Travis guitar style, and Paul Beard, builder of exquisite resonator guitars. If you love guitar craft (and other instruments too) it’s a very rewarding event. I am always impressed by the artistry, creativity and innovation of the many builders who are present each year.

[Jim Garber]

Had a nice time there and hung out a bit with Joe and with Graham. Some excellent music on the stage and many exquisite guitars. The highlight of the stage on Sunday IMHO was the Sisters of the Slide—Rory Block and Cindy Cashdollar.

My main disappointment was the paucity of mandolins. Joe did have three octaves there and they were all lovely-sounding instruments. Eric Aceto of Ithaca Strings had an F-model. Maegen Wells does make mandolins and even had a photo of one on her cards but she said she sold it before she left California. Here is Maegen's take on an oval-hole A:

[Graham McDonald]

Meagan has promised to start another as soon as she is back home!. It was great finally meeting Joe and reconnecting (albeit briefly) with Jim. The level of skill on display at the Woodstock show was staggering. Some absolute gems from a bunch of 30 year old builders of both genders.

Off to Savannah and Nashville before heading home.

Cheers

[Papawooly]

Jim,

Sorry, I bought Maegens A-oval a couple of weeks ago...
It is a TREMENDOUS instrument, both acoustically as well as aesthetically.
She is a total professional Luther, and the next Mando she makes should
sell fast also, and whomever buys it will be in for a real treat!

[Jim Garber]

Jim,

Sorry, I bought Maegens A-oval a couple of weeks ago...
It is a TREMENDOUS instrument, both acoustically as well as aesthetically.
She is a total professional Luther, and the next Mando she makes should
sell fast also, and whomever buys it will be in for a real treat!

Very cool. I talked to her for a few minutes. I should have tried some of her archtop guitars. I just wished there were some other mandolin luthiers there. I know it is hard to make that trip for many.

[Br1ck]

I believe I got a bunch of extra frets on all my 12 fret guitars. Come to think of it, all my 14 fret guitars have extra frets too? What gives?

[Joe Mendel]

12 frets to the body or 14 to the body.

[Jim Garber]

I think (or hope) that Br1ck is kidding.

[Joe Mendel]

Me too!