Traveler #25 is a masterpiece, truly the “Presidential Model.” It arrived safely via USPS, rested overnight, and awakened today. Where do I begin? The woods are beautiful, and the finish and binding bring out their character. It sparkles. The binding, by the way, is extraordinary. Gold hardware complements the woods and finish, and the scalloped tailpiece lends itself perfectly to the shape of the mandolin. It is an aesthetic celebration. The tone is phenomenal, and the low, easy setup allows me to bring out the tone as if the instrument were already played in, that’s how refined it is already. When you mentioned that it is very easy to play you understated it: the radiused fretboard and setup give it an effortless feel. I love the way that #25 nestles in my hand; I need to look to see that it’s really there. Traveler #25 embodies the Zen of mandolin playing, and you are the Zen Master.

Thanks, Steve, for your creation.

Dr. Fred S.

Hey Steve,

The Rambler has a strikingly loud tone, especially given the fact that it doesn’t have the internal baffles that you put in the Pro.  Ros (that’s my wife) and I played a bunch of Irish tunes since the mandolin and the resonator are green after all, and they sounded terrific. Really, the sound was so bright that my daughter came into our studio and said we were being too loud. At that point I switched to the Pro and we played some old country tunes.

Let me tell you, as much as I like the Rambler Deluxe (and I really do), I’m so glad that I decided to get the Pro as well. First of all, the photos on the website are very good, but they don’t do the Pro justice. It’s even more beautiful than I expected. And your attention to detail is remarkable. But more importantly, there’s that tone… The tone I’ve been looking for and haven’t found until today. The Pro’s tone is so subtle, with so many colors. We played some upbeat tunes and the Pro cut right through the mandolin so that every note was perfectly
articulated. And then we played some more melancholy numbers and both Ros and I had to stop because we were momentarily enchanted by the sublime power of your guitar. When I made the guitar cry, it almost literally made me weep. What an instrument! What craftsmanship! What a tone! You and everyone in your small shop should be very proud of the work you’ve done. The Pro is a perfect guitar.

Anyway, we’ll be doing more recording over the next three days or so and then we have to do some mixing. But I’ll definitely play your guitars on a couple of the tunes and in a few weeks I’ll send you a link to our music site and you can listen. I hope my playing does your guitars justice.

Thank you, Steve. I’ll also be in touch in a few months for another reso. Until we speak again, thank you, thank you and thank you!

All my best,

Graham C.

I have been lucky enough to spend some time at Steve’s shop playing several of his reso’s. Man these guitars are great. The construction is impeccable and the tone and volume are as good as it gets on the custom front. These guitars will surely be flooding the scene as soon as people get to hear them. I own a E model reso but my next purchase will be one of Steve’s guitars. If you get the chance don’t pass them up.

Tuck T.

Every once in awhile I stop by the Mandolin Cafe to see what’s shaking. I went to your web site and was very impressed. Long ago and far away I owned a 2m Flatiron Mandolin, and although I have had several mandos since that time, I have always had a soft spot in my heart for that instrument.

It embodied simplicity with elegance of design. It also sounded great to me…not a Gibson F, but it had a distinct mandolin sound. I really like your interpretation of this design as far as looks and after having listened to a couple of you tube sound samples, I think you have a great instrument for a great price. Kudos.

Kelly C.

The mandolin came in yesterday and I just got it from the office today. This is an outstanding instrument. The sound is even more than I expected from the videos online. The more and more I play, the better I like it. You and your crew are very talented in this art and business you run at making great high quality instruments at a darn good price. Will report back after some much anticipated playing time. Have a good one.

Jesse R.

The little Traveler has arrived.  Wow!  It is so small for producing such a GREAT sound.  I must say it leaves my other mandolin standing in the dust .  I tried a couple of dozen different pick weights and materials till I adopted a couple that seem to work best with the Traveler and, as fortune would have it, my old Tone Gaurd fits her like a glove.  Superb job Steve.  The frets are quite nice.  Top nut to tailpiece.  She sings so sweetly.  AND I believe you will find a niche with the celtic crowd as the Traveler just loves to play fast and Irish or Scottish.  I am so glad I chose the satin finish and the gold clamshell tailpiece. It’s understated and elegant.  I am highly happy and my wife likes it too.  It was ‘the sound’ that originally drew us to the instrument.  Now that I have one, it still is the sound.  How wonderful.  As we go along I will have some other requests. I’ll ask you about them later.  Thank you for the gift and extrastrings.  Take care Steve and thanks again.  Your friend Bruce.
Miho & Bruce C.

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