It’s spring here on the Flathead Lake Mando Shop and Orchard and we’re pretty happy about that. The last blizzard of the season took down a GIANT pine tree. It luckily went right down the row between cherry trees, grazing only three, but was SO big it took a lot of work to get it out of the orchard. During this storm the water in our cherry barn froze, also, and thus water damage. Bruce is working hard in getting it ready again for Cherry Harvest- which is only a couple of months away.
All is set up for building Rangers, finally- we took a trip recently and bought wood. While Bruce is making Ranger parts as he goes, the extra cleanup chores plus regular orchard work and, of course, his regular work on mandos put Ranger deliveries a little farther out. We will alert all who have emailed, and gotten on the waiting list, as we get ready to ‘build to order’ in a few months.
We really appreciate your interest and patience for the Ranger Travel Mandos!
If you’re interested in receiving fresh cherries visit our Sound To Earth Orchard website and subscribe to the little newsletter to get 10% off your cherry order, after harvest. Last season many of our mando friends ordered and that was fun, not to mention tasty!
Following is a picture gallery of the orchard. We hope your spring is beautiful, too, AND full of bluegrass festivals.
Just for comparison sake! Here’s a short video of the blizzard taken while walking to the mando shop. The 3rd tree behind the little red house went down that night.
Sound To Earth Orchard had big, beautiful cherries this year, even though the crop was small due to a cold, wet spring. We mailed out cherries, sold and traded them locally, and many went to Flathead Cherry Association’s Washington Fruit Company. It’s been an adventure and we appreciate you guys joining us. If you like, check out our cherry website, and subscribe to get blog updates with 10% off your next year’s cherry order!
Following is another nice letter we received from a happy player: Hi Bruce, Despite my anxiety attack, the mando got here safe and sound. It was waiting on the doorstep, freshly arrived when I went home for lunch yesterday.I can’t tell you how pleased I am with how it plays and sounds. It has a lightness and sweetness of tone that I can’t get from my other instruments. It’s like it has come to life.I don’t know what magic happens in Montana, but my mandos have all been the better for visiting there and taking the cure!
I know this is REALLY early but some of the engraved items take about 6 weeks to make, plus inlay customization can take awhile, too.
Following are a few ideas for that Mando Player in your life.
Customized Truss Rod Covers and Harmonic Suppressors are popular: engraving on Mother of Pearl or Abalone, inlay of initials to your own logo or design. Check out our Galleries for ideas, and general pricing in the commerce section. The process can seem a bit confusing and it’s most often necessary to talk/email with Bruce to nail down exactly what is wanted- he can help with suggestions, ideas, and give you a cost estimate.
We’ve had a long, beautiful Autumn here at Montana Lutherie, and Sound To Earth Orchard. Bruce was busy getting the new shop ready for winter, but has a great view!
We are keeping a list of people who would like to be contacted when we begin building Ranger Travel Mandolins again. Unfortunately our move set back building quite a bit longer than we expected. Bruce has been working on instrument repairs, customizations and parts but things like the building’s electrical work, the spray booth and, now, getting heat in the shop keep coming up…of course. We’re getting there though!
There is a forest fire, about 6 miles from our place, that is pretty much under control now. However things got exciting for awhile and did burn several houses. Our hearts go out to these people.
Also we had our first Cherry Harvest! Luckily we had a lot of great help. Following are a few pictures.
It’s taken awhile but we are now taking orders on Parts: Traditional Bridges, Armrests, Truss Rod Covers, and Harmonic Suppressors. Thanks to all who have patiently waited!!
Go to the link above to check out the advantages of all Montana Lutherie Parts. In this post I want to highlight our Ebony Traditional Bridges. This innovative bridge design aids the strings in driving the soundboard, enhancing tone and volume with no interference. They are ‘tried and true’ over the past 20 years for all mandolin family instruments with saddles guaranteed to remain unbowed by string pressure over time. For: Mandolins, Mandolas, Octaves, Mandocellos, and Arch Top Guitars.
Improvements Over Classical Bridge Designs:
This bridge may be adjusted under full string tension
Because a brass bar embedded in the bottom of the saddle supports the entire string area of the saddle, the saddle can be made much smaller than the common old, historical-style saddle.
The brass bar also insures that the saddle will not bow, sag or break in the middle over time.
The design also eliminates the screw holes in each end of the saddle that were a part of the old-style.
When adjusting the thumbwheels all pressure is directed down against the bridge base instead of up against the saddle as in the older designs. This increased surface contact from thumbwheel to base gives your instruments a truer tone and more volume.
We believe these features give the bridge a more elegant appearance and better mid-frequency functionality.
To make the bridge easier to use, the top half of each thumbwheel has been machined to accept a slim profile 5/16 wrench included with each bridge.
