Details and Pricing

Mowry Stringed Instruments--Product Details and Pricing

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My instruments feature:

· Highest-quality figured bigleaf or eastern maples, with engelmann or red spruce tops.

· Traditional compound tapered dovetail neck joints.

· Hot hide glue construction on all structural joints.

· Handmade bridges that I individually compensate to suit each instrument. I spend a great deal of time setting up my instruments to ensure that they play well and in tune.

· 1/2" by 1/4" carbon fiber neck reinforcement bars instead of traditional truss rods, unless the customer requests otherwise. The carbon fiber stiffens the neck more than a truss rod does, and is considerably lighter. I'll still use a truss rod at no additional cost for those customers who prefer to have the adjustability.

· Customers’ choice of hardware, color, and binding scheme (and most other details)

· Hand-stained sunbursts and French-polished varnish. The finishing process is quite time consuming but results in an extremely thin, durable film that is acoustically responsive. Over time it shrinks and highlights the beauty of the grain, resulting in an elegance unobtainable with lacquer.

A benefit of buying an instrument from a small shop is exceptional customer service. One of my favorite parts of my work is collaborating with customers to bring their dream instruments to life. I am extremely flexible because I build on a small scale, and I'm always open to discussing alternative body styles, colors, binding schemes, etc. I regularly email photos of the construction process to customers.

I guarantee the construction and materials of my work for the lifetime of the original owner. I offer a two-week trial period with a money-back guarantee.

Pricing I ask for a $200 deposit to hold a place on the waiting list and to lock in the price at its current level. Half of the balance is due when I begin building the instrument, and the rest is due upon completion. Prices include a case and shipping within the continental US. Please note that there may be a small charge to upgrade to quilted maple backs or one-piece backs. This is to cover the rising costs of these woods.
F5 mandolin	$5,700
A5 mandolin	$3,200
Two-point mandolin	$4,200
Guitar-bodied octave mandolin	$4,500
Other instruments	please inquire
Pickguard	$100 bound, $80 unbound
Radiused fretboard	no charge
Gold hardware	no charge
Left handed	no charge
Hardware upgrade (e.g. Waverly tuners)	please inquire
Custom inlays	please inquire