2013 A model Mandolin

I really enjoyed making this new A model mandolin. The top is carved out of moon-harvested Swiss spruce, a wood that produces a lively and responsive tone with a round bass. Since carved top instruments are inherently punchy, I used an X-brace to warm up the sound even more. The back & sides of this mando are birdseye-figure African Blackwood, a rare and desirable tonewood widely considered to be the best substitute for Brazilian rosewood. Blackwood imparts a reverberant, haunting tone quality that works beautifully in conjunction with the carved top. Lush chords and lyrical melodies are the strengths of this instrument, perfect for the O'Carolan music that this client enjoys. This is the third time I have used this crazy peghead wood, which is book-matched endgrain from a block of rare black & white ebony. A lot of work for a peghead veneer but it's totally worth it.

 Striking stuff, that black & white ebony. Waverly tuners, hand-cut logo

Birdseye African Blackwood w/sapwood. One-piece black walnut neck harvested by Mez' Dad.

X-braced for a warmer tone.

The new A model mandolin, carved European spruce (moonwood)  and African Blackwood back & sides.

Summer 2013

The green mountains have come alive for the summer! Flowers are blooming everywhere, wildlife is on the move, and I am finishing up two beautiful Brazilian Rosewood flat top guitars for some great customers.
     The first, a cutaway Della Volpe model (16" jumbo), is a gift of brotherly love from Greg to Steve. Steve builds shaker furniture, and designed a simple and elegant guitar with a timeless look.  I am inspired by my customers' enthusiasm and am looking forward to delivering this fine instrument, which has a moon-harvested Swiss spruce (picea abies) soundboard. For centuries foresters have harvested high-altitude spruce and maple trees during certain moon cycles in winter. This wood is less susceptible to change in humidity and has incredibly tight grain. The back & sides are of exquisite quartersawn old-stock Brazilian rosewood (dalbergia nigra) and has a clear and powerful tap tone.
    The second instrument is a fantastic Orchestra Model for a fellow who raced for Lotus in the 1960s. Rob's an easygoing guy who appreciates quality workmanship, and he has designed a classy guitar of Colorado blue spruce and salvaged Brazilian Rosewood. Blue Spruce (picea pungens) makes a great soundboard - responsive and balanced with a quick break-in time and powerful bass.  The back & sides of this OM are special, salvaged from a giant stump in the Amazon rainforest. Shades of blue, green, and violet in a converging grain pattern make for a dramatic backplate. A bit of abalone and flamed Koa bindings add striking contrast and beauty to this piece.
    I am also pleased to report that Advance Music in Burlington, Vermont will be showcasing one of my guitars this summer. This is a great store, so get on down to beautiful Burlington and go check them out! http://www.advancemusicvt.com  Many thanks to Mat, Mike, and Jeff from Advance for supporting Vermont-made musical instruments.
    Stowe is an amazing place to be in the summertime, so come on up for a visit!

inside a Della Volpe top

Shanghai to Beijing - Eastman Guitars 2012

A trip to China is always interesting, but visiting as a guest of the Eastman musical instrument company is a real treat. Amazing food and hospitality, just a bit of beer drinking, and foot massages aplenty are the norm. Thanks to my affiliation with Johnson String Instrument, I've developed a relationship with Qian Ni & Saul Friedgood of Eastman over the past few years. Qian really knows how to treat his employees and it is evident at the factory by the smiling faces and productivity that is seldom seem on our side of the pond. The level at which these folks are working is truly humbling to a small independent maker like myself and I am so proud that these people consider me someone worth listening to. I look forward to a continued relationship with this emerging musical instrument powerhouse.

Maple logos freshly cut by laser

A shooting board and hand plane is still used to
join the top, just as it has been done for centuries

Top bracing is hand-carved by well trained artisans

Vacuum presses to speed up top bracing

A sea of guitars move through the process

Just a few Adirondack spruce tops, good wood is the key
 to good tone. This building was packed with tonewood.

An impressive jig to glue scarf joints at the peghead

A correct hand-rubbed sunburst was one of
my small contributions. Their varnish person
is amazingly skilled and nailed it right away.

A technicolor sunrise over Alaska allowed for some quiet reflection on another amazing trip to China.
Life is what you make of it, thanks to Qian, Saul, and Johnson String Instrument

Autumn in Vermont

    Well, we're finally getting settled in up here in beautiful Stowe, Vermont! Deirdre and I are so thankful for the deluge of serendipity that allowed so many pieces to fall into place at once. We could not have pulled this off without the love and support from our family & friends so thank you all!
   
    My new shop is located in a 19th. century one-room schoohouse overlooking Mt. Mansfield and the green mountains. It's an inspirational place that has great energy - the building was rescued in 1953 by painter Stan M. Wright, who presented it to his wife Ki for their 6th. anniversary (wooden anniversary.) It's the shop that love built, man! I am so proud to be the steward of this property and I hope that Stan & Ki would approve of my work.

 
    Open house/Celebration at Sanzone Guitar & Mandolin on September 29 from 1pm-5pm!

- we'll have some food & drinks to gobble down as well as some fiddle tunes courtesy of our friend Jess Fox. So grab your smiley face and come on by -  bring an instrument if you want to do some pickin!  11 Moss Glen Falls rd, Stowe Vt.  Kids are welcome as always, but you might want to leave the hounds at home this time...
     
               Chuck & Deirdre