Building & Learning

Last year I embarked on a journey to learn how to build mandolins. This past week, I finished my first mandolin and am right proud of it. However, I didn't get here by myself. James Condino (Asheville, NC) didn't just help, he provided a lot of much needed mentoring and guiding that went way past just building an instrument...physics, tree anatomy, milling....Frankly, trial and error is good but it can be costly in the instrument building world. Having a quality builder's guidance is extremely valuable. Anytime spent with him in his shop is worth the investment. I know for a fact my mando would have been a wallhanger without his help. Thanks again!

Cam

I'd like to meet Mr. Condino some day. He seems like a real cool guy. :)

He is a cool guy.
Cam, let's see the instrument.
Bill

Here it is

???

not quite here

Attachment 196203Attachment 196204Attachment 196205Sorry for the confusion, here they are for real!

the pic of the front was the trial bridge....very poor spacing. I have a new one going on soon after I re-do the frets that i goofed up.

If I may ask, how does that work? Do you buy shop time with him, consult on certain aspects, build the whole mandolin in his shop? Sounds like a great experience.

That's a nice looking mandolin.