Why own an Andrew Mowry Instrument?

Based in the high desert of Bend, Oregon, I take a deliberate approach to building. This allows me time to fine-tune the sound of my instruments and make sure every aspect is as it should be. It also lets me be flexible, and I love working directly with clients to develop new designs and improve existing ones.

I guarantee the construction and materials of my work for the lifetime of the original owner, and I make warranty repairs (the few that there are) promptly. As an individual builder my business is dependent on my reputation, and I make every effort to ensure that each of my customers is satisfied, evidenced by my high rate of repeat clients. I offer a two-week trial period with a money-back guarantee.

 

My instruments feature:

• The highest attention to detail.
• Clients' choice of the highest-quality woods.
• Traditional compound-tapered dovetail neck joints.
• Hot hide glue for many joints.
• Bridges that I make and 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.
• I currently use two-way adjustable trussrods on all instruments. For mandolas and larger instruments I also install two carbon fiber bars, one on each side of the trussrod, for added stiffness.
• Clients' choice of hardware, color, and binding scheme (and most other details). I use Bill James tailpieces on mandolins unless requested otherwise.
• Hand-applied dye and thin "vintage"-style nitrocellulose lacquer or varnish. The finishing process is quite time consuming but results in an extremely thin, durable film that is acoustically responsive.