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Finely crafted mandolins built in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains
I currently specialize in building "flat top", Army-Navy (A-N) style mandolins.
This type of mandolin was made popular in the late 1920's when manufactured by the Gibson company
of Kalamazoo, Michigan. This style of mandolin was introduced to appeal to service men and were sold in
military PX's. A soldier or sailor could purchase one for $12 and the general public paid $15.
The A-Ns were durable instruments made to withstand the rough conditions found on the battle field or base camp.
Aside from being built well, they produced a very pleasing sound suitable for all genres of music. Later versions
of the "flattop " were built by the Flatiron Mandolin Company
in Belgrade, Montana. The Crystal Forest mandolin is very close to the Flatiron
in construction and sound.
My standard flat top is built using either Adirondack red spruce, Engelmann spruce or western red cedar for tops
and red/curly maple for back sides and fully carved neck. I get my wood from
Old Standard Wood who supplies many of the
major manufactures. I put adjustable steel truss-rods in my necks.
The fretboards on these mandolins are rosewood or ebony (flat) and I put either rosewood or eboney veneer on the
peghead. I hand cut and inlay a Mother of Peal Crystal Forest logo into the veneer. I bind the mandolin body
(front and back) to protect the edges of the instrument and to set off the natural colors of the finish. I can also do
a full binding of the fretboard and peghead on request.
I finish my mandolins in natural wood colors using water-based dyes. The finish is protected by several coats
of nitrocellulose lacquer with wet sanding between each layer. The instrument then receives a wax and polishing.
These mandolines have that nice, bright tone and short sustain that makes pan cakes so great for rapid fire celtic
picking. They are equally at home in a bluegrass jam where they hold their own against loud guitars, banjos and fiddles.
A great mandolin for traveling, the office or pick'in around the campfire.
Contact me for current prices, options and availability.
Check the For Sale page for what is available now or will be soon.
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