Let's face it. I love what I do. But the high level of detail associated with instruments along with all of the other details of self employment can be stressful sometimes. To relieve these stresses I love to experiment and build things for fun, when I can. Here's one of the experiments. I'm not sure how I came up with it. This is the third one of this style and I built it about 2 years ago. The first two were real prototypes that I'll keep to play.
It's scale is 18 3/4. I've experimented a little with tunings and string gauges. In open D I used a .045-.012 and it sounded good. Once I got it in open A I left it there. It's very well built and I'm confident it can handle high tensions. So feel free to experiment yourself with it. The strings that are on it are a .056-.014. It has quite a bit of tension on it with these which makes it super fast/quick to play. Don't let the small size fool you. This thing is amazingly loud and the highs are really crisp, bright and clean but the mahogany offers a nice depth to the note so it's well rounded and has awesome sustain. The bass is surprising also for the short scale length.
The construction is just like any of my other instruments. Glued up in a humidity controlled environment, quartersawn solid materials, bone nut, steel saddle. I make everything except the tuners, strings and bridge pins. This one has a beautiful set of Honduran Mahogany.
The one thing I love about this instrument is the speed and volume. Also, it's a wonderful creative outlet. When I get in a playing rut I'll grab this one or a baritone and let go. It's a real fun instrument to just go crazy with.
Theres no set price for these yet, because I haven't publicly sold them. But if I did start producing them it would be around $600 for a plain jane one. I'll gladly entertain any offers on this one. There's no case, yet, offered with this one, but it will be extremely boxed and packaged well and shipped with insurance. Once you get it it will fit into a large backpack or perhaps a mandolin gig bag. I can figure out some sort of hardshell case (probably Mandolin) if you want for a materials and time price. There's a photo of it next to a regular sized Weiss so you can get an idea of the size.
Also this is great for kids. My 5 year old loves the prototype.
I think shipping for such a light small instrument would be around $30. International - $70
Please call or email if you have any questions.
9192417686 - Shop
8288519463 - cell
