Fiddle Tunes

I was offered the opportunity to be a staff luthier at the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes at Port Townsend, WA. Myself, Jamie Herrmann Violins, and Jacob Mitas Bows set ourselves up in the airy upstairs of Building 205, and offered setup, repair, and assessment services for the duration of the week. And we were busy! The pictures tell the tale, but suffice it to say, we spent our share of late nights in the shop, making repairs so that students and faculty could play their instruments the next day.

In addition to plenty of great music and friendship, I also had the extreme pleasure of examining a March 31, 1924 Lloyd Loar-signed F5 mandolin. It was wonderful. This was a long-awaited meeting, and my thoughts have again turned towards deciphering varnish techniques and wanting to return to mandolinmaking. Feast your eyes!

Meanwhile, back in the Portland studio, I’ve been putting finish on the Oahu spanish-conversion (getting nice mahogany sunburst), and prepping three different guitars to get built during this moderate summer climate: a D-28, a Roy Smeck Maple Dred, and a 14-fret O-18. I am in the mood for efficient work, and these guitars are going to eager customers, so stay tuned for more!