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Thread: Steve Carlson Tooling Up at ZETA

  1. #26
    Administrator Mandolin Cafe's Avatar
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    Default Re: Steve Carlson Tooling Up at ZETA

    Published six years ago today.

  2. #27

    Default Re: Steve Carlson Tooling Up at ZETA

    I always thought it would have been well received if Steve had named the latest ones Carlson Mandolins.

  3. #28
    Registered User Steve Carlson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Steve Carlson Tooling Up at ZETA

    Quote Originally Posted by Mandolin Cafe View Post
    Published six years ago today.
    Hard to believe this interview was six years ago now . . . wow. Most of those 6 years were busy and productive. In fact, I'd say five of the six were excellent. I'm sure 2020 has taken it's toll on all of us in some way or another. As one might expect, ZETA's international sales are way down, forcing cut backs in our day to day production. Interestingly, in NC Solutions we've seen an increase, as parts sales to the guitar and banjo industry have increased . . . lots of higher end retail demand evidently . . . even record sales for some . . . which is good.

    For ZETA we've kept busy with some nice custom stuff.
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ID:	190329 Custom 'FlameEdged - Buckskin' (Double Lam body with matching Flame Imbus Peghead)
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    All in all serves to make life a little more interesting during these trying times.

    And just in time for the Covid nightmare . . . I finished up and started shipping the first of our ZETA acoustic/electric mandolins . . . yea . . . the 'Stage' A models.
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ID:	190338 Featuring our 'Strados' mandolin pickup bridge

    Just what was needed right? . . . a performance mandolin with no performance venues. Great timing.
    Anyhow . . . I think we're all looking forward to the re-opening of music venues, both at home here and around the world!

    Hoping your all safe and practicing hard, keeping your chops up. I've learned a good number of new tunes. My wife is very patient. Most nights I play (noodle) 2-3 hours in front of the TV and she doesn't complain. However . . . when I pick it back up and start in again I hear . . . R e a l l y?

    I keep working on expanding my version of 'Jesse James', stealing from Tom Murphy's improvised version found here: https://www.facebook.com/zetamandoli...69893746375665

    Merry Christmas to all . . . and let's hope together for a 'Better New Year'

    All the Best,
    Steve

  4. #29
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Steve Carlson Tooling Up at ZETA

    Nice to hear that things are going well with you Steve—as well as possible these days. I was one of the very first buyers of Flatiron's carved-top mandolins—the original owner of an A5-2 from 1983. I also called you (in those pre-email days) to inquire a year or so later about whether you would make a carved top mandola.
    Jim

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  5. #30
    Registered User Steve Carlson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Steve Carlson Tooling Up at ZETA

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    Nice to hear that things are going well with you Steve—as well as possible these days. I was one of the very first buyers of Flatiron's carved-top mandolins—the original owner of an A5-2 from 1983. I also called you (in those pre-email days) to inquire a year or so later about whether you would make a carved top mandola.
    wow . . . 1983 . . . that's about as early as it gets on the carve tops. What's the serial #.
    Steve

  6. #31
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Steve Carlson Tooling Up at ZETA

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Carlson View Post
    wow . . . 1983 . . . that's about as early as it gets on the carve tops. What's the serial #.
    Steve
    83090103 full set of pictures here and a couple below.

    I believe I bought one of the first two A5s at Mandolin Brothers. There was an A5-1 and an A5-2. The woods on mine were so spectacular I spent a little extra. I recall that the tones on both were pretty close.
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    Last edited by Jim Garber; Dec-07-2020 at 5:26pm.
    Jim

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    1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1

  7. #32
    Administrator Mandolin Cafe's Avatar
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    Default Re: Steve Carlson Tooling Up at ZETA

    Noting the anniversary of this feature.

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  9. #33
    Registered User urobouros's Avatar
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    Default Re: Steve Carlson Tooling Up at ZETA

    I had an acoustic Zeta mandolin for a bit in 2020 that I really enjoyed. I'd prolly still have it if I didn't need funds for my Big Mon. Zeta makes a damn fine mando!
    2020 Northfield Big Mon
    2016 Skip Kelley A5
    2011 Weber Gallatin A20
    2021 Northfield Flattop Octave Mandolin
    2019 Pono Flattop Octave
    Richard Beard Celtic Flattop
    And a few electrics

  10. #34
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    Default Re: Steve Carlson Tooling Up at ZETA

    Noting the anniversary of this feature.

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