For the long weekend, here’s an interesting Breedlove Cascade Mandolin from 2008, sporting an arm rest and a Tone-Gard! Not only is it in great shape, but staff feel it’s one of the best mandolins in the shop at present.
This Karol Baritone example dates to 2013, and features a Cedar top with figured Walnut for the sides and back, Mahogany for the neck and Ebony for the bridge, head plate and bound fingerboard. The distinctive inlays, a K at the headstock, and a dragonfly at the octave fret, are executed in Mother of Pearl and Paua shell.
The Collings I-35LC uses a custom Maple laminate for the body with a solid Maple center block mated to a Mahogany neck with Rosewood fingerboard. Current versions of this model have bound fingerboards, but on this 2005 model the fingerboard is unbound.
The Gibson Flying V was introduced in 1958 as part of an effort by Ted McCarty to modernize Gibson’s reputation with futuristic designs, along with the Explorer and the only-prototyped Moderne. While a few prominent players immediately picked up the Flying V, it was not popular and production ceased by 1959. During 1963, a few were built from leftover parts, but the two initial 1958 production batches totaled around 80 instruments.
This Witkowski ST7 bolt-on 7 string electric is built with a Framire body paired with a Birdseye Maple neck with Rosewood fingerboard. Hardware is straightforward – locking Schaller tuners, a hard tail Strat-type 7-saddle bridge, a pair of Seymour Duncan humbuckers, a 5 way switch and master volume and tone controls.
The Gibson ‘The Paul Standard’ was one of two distinct models developed from the FireBrand series – ‘The Paul’ and ‘The SG’. The Paul Standard featured a solid Walnut body paired with a Mahogany neck and Ebony fingerboard, while the Deluxe model had a Mahogany body. ‘The Paul’ was built from 1978-1982, while the all-Walnut ‘The SG’ was only available during 1979.
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Hello Grant. Just want to let you know that my banjolele arrived on Monday afternoon, so the postal strike didn’t hold it up too long. I’m delighted with the quality craftsmanship of the instrument and I was right that the shorter fingerboard is much easier for my 81 year old hands! So, here’s a shot of me with it in my studio with my dog Dusty laying beside me. Now just to harden up my fingertips and loosen up my finger joints! (Dusty loves it too!)
Thanks for everything.
Best. John.
John McConnell – Deering banjolele
October 2018
(Victoria, British Columbia, Canada)
