I met a violin maker who was a retired aircraft engineer. He said the same thing, making a violin was an engineering problem. Our violinist was a fan and played one of his, so he was invited to a classical music recital which is how I met him.
Davey Stuart tenor guitar (based on his 18" mandola design).
Eastman MD-604SB with Grover 309 tuners.
Eastwood 4 string electric mandostang, 2x Airline e-mandola (4-string) one strung as an e-OM.
DSP's: Helix HX Stomp, various Zooms.
Amps: THR-10, Sony XB-20.
My deceased father in law was a master machinist at the research department of Hughes Tools. He also made some absolutely beautiful guitars. He died near 30 years ago in his bed, not in a plane crash.
Jammin' south of the river
'20 Gibson A-2
Stromberg-Voisinet Tenor Guitar
Penny Whistle
My albums: http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/album.php?u=7616
A 1992 The Bluegrass
Not sure how I missed this thread back in 2011 but the mention of “Derbyshire” and then a “beaten up old Martin” made me think of Steve Read who another poster has identified. I’ve not seen much of Steve in recent years but I did see him and the mandolin last year - I was impressed with its sound and he was impressed with the sound of my Kimble!
As for the guitar, it is indeed a Martin D28 (I think 1962). It looks beaten up largely because he trashed it one winter when he decided to ski to a local session with it on his back in a gig bag and fell over. We pointed him at a, now retired, local luthier friend but Steve was insistent that it be repaired rather than replaced the back etc. Given the state of it - I did see the bag of bits! - the luthier did a very good job. The point of me telling this story is that this particular luthier originally worked for Rolls Royce building aero engines.
Well I have to blame my friend, helichuck (Chuck), er I mean, thank him for this addition to my flock, a 2001 "The Bluegrass" by Glen Dean Cecil of Charleston, WV.
Last night Chuck and I took his "The Bluegrass" along with with us to Morgantown, WV to check out this mandolin. Well even with old strings, I could tell it would be going home with me. I had a chance to play Chuck's mandolin last week at our monthly bluegrass jam. It sounded great and compared nicely to my Gibson F-5L, his was even louder which really surprised me.
I understand that due to health issues, Dean won't be making any more mandolins.
My thanks again to my buddy Chuck for helping facilitate this.
Old Hometown, Cabin Fever String Band
Hand drawn label by builder.
Old Hometown, Cabin Fever String Band
OTT insofar as this is about marketing rather than mandolins - is 'knocking copy' still allowed in US ads? I mean the kind of thing that says e.g.
'Our panel tested 5 well known competitors for our 'Restroom Bliss' laxative, and here's how they rated against it in relation to value, effectiveness, and neighbor awareness...'
Glen Dean Cecil passed away January 10, 2024.
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