Latest Jacobson Nautilus w/ custom Koi inlay

[Marty Jacobson]

Here's the latest to make it through the obstacle course.

Sitka spruce top, quartered bigleaf maple back. Figured walnut neck and sides. This is lightweight instrument, extremely responsive and easy to play.

The inlay is lapis lazuli recon stone, Atlante synthetic pearl, and amber backed with gold leaf. Engraved Rubner tuners with Teflon bearings, which work like a dream and look amazing - hand-engraved black nickel plated brass with rosewood buttons, all for under $160.

[Marty Jacobson]

Sound clips:

[Pete Jenner]

Lovely Marty. That Prelude is becoming very popular.

[Jim Garber]

Lovely as usual Marty and nice sounding. It is great that you work with an excellent musician (yourself) to make those recordings too. Keep up the good work. I haven't given up yet -- you know what I mean.

[Jake Wildwood]

That's a hot tamale if I've ever seen one. Nice work, sir!

[Marty Jacobson]

Thanks gents ... Pete, I think the Prelude is a great piece to use for demonstrating an instrument.
Jim, making recordings of the instruments has been a good incentive to practice.

The tone of this instrument is interesting, since it sounds almost identical to my recent transverse-braced oval-hole instruments, despite the graduations and bracing being that of an instrument with f-holes. Definitely not a bluegrass machine, it's too glassy and clean for that. But it's not lacking in power and punch. Really a fun instrument to play. Tom Haywood commented that this instrument's ancestor sounded a bit like a bowlback and would work well in an orchestra. I think that's definitely true... it has a kind of midrange scoop to the tone which gives it a classical feeling.

[JEStanek]

Total package, Marty. Beautiful.

Jamie

[Sterling]

Thanks gents ... Pete, I think the Prelude is a great piece to use for demonstrating an instrument.
Jim, making recordings of the instruments has been a good incentive to practice.

The tone of this instrument is interesting, since it sounds almost identical to my recent transverse-braced oval-hole instruments, despite the graduations and bracing being that of an instrument with f-holes. Definitely not a bluegrass machine, it's too glassy and clean for that. But it's not lacking in power and punch. Really a fun instrument to play. Tom Haywood commented that this instrument's ancestor sounded a bit like a bowlback and would work well in an orchestra. I think that's definitely true... it has a kind of midrange scoop to the tone which gives it a classical feeling.

That's exactly the sound that I envisioned! Great!

[Steve Sorensen]

Nice!
Steve

[Markkunkel]

Obstacle course it may be, Marty, but wow... what unique and tasteful work you are doing. Persevere! The grateful custodians of your instruments are, indeed, grateful!

Mark

[Charles E.]

Beautiful! I'll bet that has someones MAS sensor tingling.

[Sterling]

It is at my post office in Marcellus, NY and I am at school until 3:10, then 30 minutes to get home. Can't wait!

[Tavy]

Very nice indeed - particularly like the Lapis inlay, and those Rubner's look amazing!

[Mark Wilson]

A work of art (again). As good as it looks it sounds even better

[Rush Burkhardt]

+1...exquisite, Marty! (And I don't use that word lightly!)

[Pete Jenner]

Marty, I've just noticed this instrument features on the Rubner website in their gallery section. Very nice.

[Michael Weaver]

Sounds like my baby. It does sound like this one has a touch more sustain though. And of course beautiful as always

[amowry]

Beautiful work, as always Marty! It sounds great. I like the term "glassy" that you used, as I've currently been trying to think of a word for that aspect of tone. I think all mandolins sound better if they have that character to some degree. Anyway, yours sounds fantastic!

[Sterling]

Hi Michael,
I just picked this mandolin up yesterday around 4:00pm. I've been trying to find a good block of time to play it but a band concert and private trumpet lesson last night and public school today is in the way. After school the family is travelling to Bethesda/DC area heading into the Noreaster storm for a 6 hour drive. Maybe I'll get snowbound and be able to practice! So far, though this instrument has a beautiful bell like ring on a two finger G chord. The shape of the neck and the fretboard are easy to get used to. It is certainly a clearer tone than my Eastman 615 or my #20 Crystal Forest Army/Navy mandolin and I like them both. (They might be in their cases for a while!) I am anxious get comfortable with this #37.

Lee Turner

[Michael Bridges]

Congrats, Lee! That is a beauty. Happy for ya, I KNOW you'll be in love with it. Also Congrats, High-fives, and POB's to Marty for a great instrument!

[Skip Kelley]

Marty, that mandolin is such a work of art! Nice job!!

[hank]

Great work Mr. Jacobson, congratulations. Seeing your minds eye manifest in reality in such a graceful way must be gratifying after all your hours of trial and error and hard work. Your breaking new ground, not only in your digital carving and design methods but your non inlay techniques of wood art linear design. You've created so many beautiful mandolins it's hard to pick a favorite.

[Marty Jacobson]

Thanks to everyone for the kind words. Sounds like Lee is enjoying the instrument. It was a fun one to build, and had some unique challenges (inlaying lapis and amber into the thin, compound curved maple back). Now I'm back from a visit with the family for Thanksgiving, so I'll be wrapping up a few more before Christmas.

[Tom Haywood]

"Custom Koi Inlay." I just put a net over my Koi pond to protect them from the new craze! Marty this mandolin is beautiful in every respect. The bridge/saddle design is particularly elegant and interesting. The sound files have all the instruments in my office singing along. It does have that bowl back type of sound that is very clear and direct, and it really pops. Can't wait to see what else is in store.

[Jim Garber]

Marty: I am just curious about the design of your tailpiece. I did notice that it is longer than most mandolin tps the the after-saddle length looks shorter than other mandolins. This design also has the strings anchored further away from the endpin. Can you tell us how all that contributes to the overall tone and sound output?

Many years ago a violin maker showed me that everything on that instrument contributed to the tone that that included how tight the tailpiece gut was tightened and that string length behind the bridge.