The Mandolins: Standard • Neoclassical • Jazz • Bluegrass • Special Order Mandolins

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Mandolins for connoisseurs of handcrafted instruments, and for musicians who want outstanding tone, volume, and playability. Models include: a highly-refined standard model for all styles of playing; a unique light-string model for classical, folk, and Celtic music; a model designed for the jazz enthusiast incorporating dual pickups; and a model engineered and set up for the Bluegrass sound. Other models are available by special order and one-of-a-kind artistic mandolins are occasionally available.

The Phoenix mandolins are built by Rolfe Gerhardt and Jenny Warner. Rolfe was the builder of the legendary Unicorn mandolins in the 70's and has spent the last forty years applying new musical instrument technologies to the 8-string American mandolin. Jenny grew up in a Maine woodworking family and has been part of the Phoenix shop while getting her college degree and taking the Master Program at the Galloup School of Lutherie.

New for 2009:
There are parts to build two more Europa II models, and that will end the series. More information here.

Phoenix Mandolins, Rolfe and Jenny, will be part of The Symposium, the biennial gathering of luthiers which will be in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania this June 10-14. Both of us will be on the panel presentation about "Building Mandolins Step by Step," and Rolfe will co-lead a finishing seminar. You can read more about it at www.guitarmaker.org.

Two new special mandolins are now available: one built with curly cherry and one built with rare blue mahoe.

Also available are some demo mandolins at a reduced price; send us an e-mail for what's available.

A unique Bluegrass Master Model is now available; it has a 100-year-old one-piece top and "bark and bite" to enhance any Bluegrass band.

For some hot swing featuring a Phoenix mandolin, check out www.gendarmesduswing.com.

Finally completed---the special inlaid art mandolin called "Quilting" made of quilted maple; see it here.

 
View a Slideshow of Phoenix Photos
by photographer Liz Grandmaison
 

The Mandolins: Standard • Neoclassical • Jazz • Bluegrass • Special Order Mandolins
About: About the Builders • Construction Features • Shop • Dealers/Links • Special Mandolins • Feedback • Care and Feeding