Results 1 to 22 of 22

Thread: 2020 X-Series -- The new Sorensen SX

  1. #1
    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Santa Clarita, CA
    Posts
    2,461

    Default 2020 X-Series -- The new Sorensen SX

    This past year, as I have been refining my check list for updates to the Sorensen X-Series mandolins, I knew that I wanted to do a build for an instrument which featured the traits of the original SXS (currently played by Randy Torno) and the Stratus build that I did last year (played by Eli Wildman).

    I knew I wanted to maintain the open scroll and further refine the "aero" feeling of the curves. I also knew that I wanted to build another mandolin with a sound port in the bass side near or on the scroll. Based on feedback from Randy, and some discussions with Andy Statman after he played Eli's Stratus last year, the new SX design emerged.

    Here are some shots to give a bunch of views of the result of the first SX build --

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Full Front.jpg 
Views:	287 
Size:	1.50 MB 
ID:	178001 Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Close Front.jpg 
Views:	286 
Size:	1.17 MB 
ID:	178002

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Front Bass Side.jpg 
Views:	261 
Size:	396.6 KB 
ID:	178003 Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Treble Side.jpg 
Views:	237 
Size:	459.6 KB 
ID:	178004

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Cool Back.jpg 
Views:	214 
Size:	1.78 MB 
ID:	178005 Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Back Port view.jpg 
Views:	242 
Size:	711.7 KB 
ID:	178006

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Peg.jpg 
Views:	226 
Size:	476.9 KB 
ID:	178007 Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Port view.jpg 
Views:	224 
Size:	326.0 KB 
ID:	178008

    Steve
    Steve Sorensen
    Sorensen Mandolin & Guitar Co.
    www.sorensenstrings.com

  2. The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to Steve Sorensen For This Useful Post:


  3. #2
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Location
    California
    Posts
    21

    Default Re: 2020 X-Series -- The new Sorensen SX

    Looks incredible!!

  4. #3

    Default Re: 2020 X-Series -- The new Sorensen SX

    That’s... for lack of any other words... damn sexy.

  5. #4
    Registered User CWRoyds's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    San Rafael, Ca
    Posts
    700

    Default Re: 2020 X-Series -- The new Sorensen SX

    That is a very cool design.
    Your attention to detail is incredible.
    Mandolins: Northfield 5-Bar Artist Model "Old Dog", J Bovier F5 Special, Gibson A-00 (1940)
    Fiddles: 1920s Strad copy, 1930s Strad copy, Liu Xi T20, Liu Xi T19+ Dark.
    Guitars: Taylor 514c (1995), Gibson Southern Jumbo (1940s), Gibson L-48 (1940s), Les Paul Custom (1978), Fender Strat (Black/RWFB) (1984), Fender Strat (Candy Apple Red/MFB) (1985).
    Sitars: Hiren Roy KP (1980s), Naskar (1970s), Naskar (1960s).
    Misc: 8 Course Lute (L.K.Brown)

  6. #5
    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Santa Clarita, CA
    Posts
    2,461

    Default Re: 2020 X-Series -- The new Sorensen SX

    Here's a bit of video from FloydFest with Liam Purcell (Cane Mill Road) on his Sorensen Sprite Two-Point and Eli Wildman (The Wildmans) on his Sorensen SX "Stratus" prototype --



    Steve
    Steve Sorensen
    Sorensen Mandolin & Guitar Co.
    www.sorensenstrings.com

  7. #6
    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Santa Clarita, CA
    Posts
    2,461

    Default Re: 2020 X-Series -- The new Sorensen SX

    Here's a great quality video of a really terrific performance by The Wildmans recorded by Beehive Productions at FloydFest 2019 with very tasteful mandolin work by Eli Wildman on that SX prototype throughout --



    Steve
    Steve Sorensen
    Sorensen Mandolin & Guitar Co.
    www.sorensenstrings.com

  8. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Steve Sorensen For This Useful Post:


  9. #7
    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Santa Clarita, CA
    Posts
    2,461

    Default Re: 2020 X-Series -- The new Sorensen SX

    Steve Sorensen
    Sorensen Mandolin & Guitar Co.
    www.sorensenstrings.com

  10. #8
    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Santa Clarita, CA
    Posts
    2,461

    Default Re: 2020 X-Series -- The new Sorensen SX

    Here's a bit of video from Eli Wildman, picking on his Sorensen SX, that he posted to Facebook for Siminoff's Straight Up Strings --



    Steve
    Steve Sorensen
    Sorensen Mandolin & Guitar Co.
    www.sorensenstrings.com

  11. The following members say thank you to Steve Sorensen for this post:

    Gunnar 

  12. #9
    Registered User Joey Anchors's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    Austin, TX
    Posts
    1,008

    Default Re: 2020 X-Series -- The new Sorensen SX

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Sorensen View Post
    So good!!
    Waterloo WL-M

    Blues Mando Social Group - member

  13. #10
    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Santa Clarita, CA
    Posts
    2,461

    Default Re: 2020 X-Series -- The new Sorensen SX

    The Wildmans - "Monster Ride"



    Steve
    Steve Sorensen
    Sorensen Mandolin & Guitar Co.
    www.sorensenstrings.com

  14. #11
    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Santa Clarita, CA
    Posts
    2,461

    Default Re: 2020 X-Series -- The new Sorensen SX

    The next Sorensen SX just had its first French Polishing session . . . and I think we're headed in the right direction!

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Back FP1.jpg 
Views:	126 
Size:	267.6 KB 
ID:	192478

    Steve
    Steve Sorensen
    Sorensen Mandolin & Guitar Co.
    www.sorensenstrings.com

  15. The following members say thank you to Steve Sorensen for this post:


  16. #12
    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Santa Clarita, CA
    Posts
    2,461

    Default Re: 2020 X-Series -- The new Sorensen SX

    Cool to see Andy Statman with his Sorensen SX with the Breakfast Special reunion --

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Breakfast Special Reunion 2021 (2).jpg 
Views:	107 
Size:	171.0 KB 
ID:	200747 Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Statman Sept 2019.PNG 
Views:	95 
Size:	1.54 MB 
ID:	200748

    Steve
    Steve Sorensen
    Sorensen Mandolin & Guitar Co.
    www.sorensenstrings.com

  17. #13
    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Santa Clarita, CA
    Posts
    2,461

    Default Re: 2020 X-Series -- The new Sorensen SX

    I asked my son, who is an engineering student at Cal Poly Pomona, to help me with the CAD design of a sound port cover for the next Sorensen SX build.

    We went with a 3D printed solid, polished brass for the first one --

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Brass Port.jpg 
Views:	122 
Size:	806.9 KB 
ID:	200749

    Steve
    Steve Sorensen
    Sorensen Mandolin & Guitar Co.
    www.sorensenstrings.com

  18. #14
    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Santa Clarita, CA
    Posts
    2,461

    Default Re: 2020 X-Series -- The new Sorensen SX

    The Player Sound Port in the bigger picture --

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Side Port.jpg 
Views:	105 
Size:	1.20 MB 
ID:	200754 Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Back View.jpg 
Views:	83 
Size:	843.5 KB 
ID:	200755

    Steve
    Steve Sorensen
    Sorensen Mandolin & Guitar Co.
    www.sorensenstrings.com

  19. #15
    Registered User Glassweb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Bellingham, WA
    Posts
    3,110

    Default Re: 2020 X-Series -- The new Sorensen SX

    Kinda looks like the derelict spaceship in the original Alien movie...

  20. #16
    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Santa Clarita, CA
    Posts
    2,461

    Default Re: 2020 X-Series -- The new Sorensen SX

    I'm impressed that you noticed the design influences. I was looking at a combination of HR Giger and modern movie twists on art deco while I was working on this body style. I've always believed that the Gibson F-style design was at the pinnacle of late Victorian style ... and that modern variations on that idea need to be grounded in new post- post modern design.

    Giger's design aesthetic was so consistent, as are the "future/alien" art deco design elements used in movies like Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. My goal with these designs is to use the successful Gibson+Loar body structure in a more fresh way which still clearly respects the design roots but also is clearly not Victorian.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	In Case.jpg 
Views:	96 
Size:	1.03 MB 
ID:	200814

    Steve
    Steve Sorensen
    Sorensen Mandolin & Guitar Co.
    www.sorensenstrings.com

  21. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Steve Sorensen For This Useful Post:


  22. #17
    Kelley Mandolins Skip Kelley's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Ohio
    Posts
    3,320

    Default Re: 2020 X-Series -- The new Sorensen SX

    Steve, that one is one cool looking mandolin design. Nice work brother!

  23. The following members say thank you to Skip Kelley for this post:


  24. #18
    Registered User Glassweb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Bellingham, WA
    Posts
    3,110

    Default Re: 2020 X-Series -- The new Sorensen SX

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Sorensen View Post
    I'm impressed that you noticed the design influences. I was looking at a combination of HR Giger and modern movie twists on art deco while I was working on this body style. I've always believed that the Gibson F-style design was at the pinnacle of late Victorian style ... and that modern variations on that idea need to be grounded in new post- post modern design.

    Giger's design aesthetic was so consistent, as are the "future/alien" art deco design elements used in movies like Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. My goal with these designs is to use the successful Gibson+Loar body structure in a more fresh way which still clearly respects the design roots but also is clearly not Victorian.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	In Case.jpg 
Views:	96 
Size:	1.03 MB 
ID:	200814

    Steve
    The structural perfection of this mandolin is matched only by its playability...

  25. #19
    Rush Burkhardt Rush Burkhardt's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Towson, MD
    Posts
    327

    Default Re: 2020 X-Series -- The new Sorensen SX

    Can you speak to the effect/affect of the sound hole, Steve?
    Thanks!
    Rush Burkhardt
    Towson, MD


    Free opinions are worth exactly what you pay for them!

  26. #20
    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Santa Clarita, CA
    Posts
    2,461

    Default Re: 2020 X-Series -- The new Sorensen SX

    Rush,
    As far as I can hear, the side sound port has no noticeable impact on forward sound projection. Players with great ears say that they can hear themselves better.

    I, personally, need to put my ear near the port to hear any directional sound from the opening up towards me. All in all, the side sound port is a cool fun addition which fits the style of this design, may help players hear themselves and has no discernible impact on forward tone and power.

    Steve
    Steve Sorensen
    Sorensen Mandolin & Guitar Co.
    www.sorensenstrings.com

  27. #21
    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Santa Clarita, CA
    Posts
    2,461

    Default Re: 2020 X-Series -- The new Sorensen SX

    Just felt compelled to add this shot to the discussion. I remain in love with stuff made from trees.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Scrolls.jpg 
Views:	74 
Size:	312.5 KB 
ID:	200977

    Steve
    Steve Sorensen
    Sorensen Mandolin & Guitar Co.
    www.sorensenstrings.com

  28. #22
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    NC
    Posts
    4,786

    Default Re: 2020 X-Series -- The new Sorensen SX

    Damn, that’s gorgeous!

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •