Below are unsolicited comments from clients.

"The A4 made it in safely this morning ... and it's a beauty. After 15 minutes of picking it opened up and gained a whole other voice. Very, very sweet and strong, I'd have to say, it's the best A I've ever played. I think it was still ringing after I put it back in its case. The neck profile is perfect and the instrument is light as a feather."

-Gary in Virginia

"I'm totally blown away!!!!! This is truly a masterpiece. I think somehow you managed to get the perfect sound I was looking for, just reading what I wanted and then using your skills....its amazing how you did it, translating an idea of a sound to an actual instrument. It is totally beautiful, the finish is rich and its the best colour I could have imagined, so much depth.

Ive been playing all morning, the bass response is out of this world... ... I'm lucky to know you and thank you for your dedication and time you spent looking through all the details with me, its really made an instrument that fits all the parameters."

-David in the U.K.

"Hey Andrew-- As you know, I already own an F5 and an F4 built by you, so you know I am already well aware of the quality, attention to detail, and design esthetic of your instruments. But! The L5 cutaway guitar that we designed together and I received today, surpasses anything I could hope for in an instrument! I have either played or owned some of the best instruments on the planet and I find it hard to compare them to the one I received today. I am at a loss for words and humbled that this instrument is in my possession."

-Jim in Virginia

-Gudmundur in Iceland

"Just a very quick note to let you know that the lovely mandolin arrived safely.  I say that it's "lovely", but really just about any superlative in the book would apply.  What an impeccable piece of craftsmanship! There is not one single area that I can find where the mandolin falls short.  I really love the way it sounds - wonderful clarity and great sustain! I played it all evening and had to reach for it first thing this morning.  I'd go on and on, but I'm late for work, so... Many many thanks, Andrew.  I'm going to treasure this instrument."

-Chris in California

"Well, I opened the cases and the instruments are just beautiful! Much lighter than I expected. I tuned them up and was amazed how much and how rich the sound is. They are both full-bodied and balanced. Nicely done!"

-Gerard in Washington

"The instrument is a piece of art and I am delighted with the design, finish, and detail... ...You got the neck just right for me and the playability of the instrument is excellent.  The tone and projection of the cello is superb and the sustain (a characteristic of fine instruments in my opinion) is wonderful.  I've received countless compliments on the instrument and it's super cool to see the cello in your gallery, number 1 of a long line of mandocellos I hope.

Thanks for the instrument and thanks kindly for the communication during the building phase.  As I look back, I count over 100 email exchanges, it was exciting to be part of the process, and your customer service is exemplary."

-Don in Alberta

"Just a short note to let you know that my mando is being played constantly, much interest is shown where ever I play. It is a joy to play. Once again Andrew, many thanks for a superb instrument that I will never part with. Your info and photos through the build process is an excellent touch, your advice and encouragement to receive my input was appreciated I really felt I played a part in the build. Andrew I consider you a good friend not just a superb luthier across the seas and I do feel you enjoyed making my mandolin as much as I love playing it."

-Tony in the U.K.

"I got it this afternoon and it surpasses my expectations. The neck profile, action and setup make it feel great and easy to play. The sound is as you've described - round, full bass but the trebles are still loud and strong. The finish is just beautiful - I'm going to spend some time checking out every detail. I'll be in touch with you in a few years about one of your octave mandos."

-JP in Ontario

"I'm happy to report the octave mando arrived today in beautiful condition...This thing has an amazing voice.  What great presence and tone.  It kind of demands attention and I think it'll be a really cool addition on all kinds of tunes.  I love it! Thank you.  You did a great job with this one, and you're not getting it back! It's perfect...I'll be placing another order in the near future."

-Paul in California

"Stunning! I don't know how else to describe this
mandolin.  O.K., gotta go play it some more..."

-Bryn in Montana

"All I can say is wow!  It’s all I could ever want in a mandolin.  First, it is flawless in its construction.  The scroll is perfect! The color is absolutely beautiful and I love the finish you use. Last but certainly not least is the sound.  The first thing I was blown away with when I got it tuned up is how responsive it is.  Each and every note is perfectly clear.  The setup is perfect to my playing style. I was as equally impressed with the setup as I was with the mandolin.  Everything fits perfectly.  All I can say is that you knocked it out of the park. I’ve always been a little doubtful of the theory about mandolins 'opening up'.  They probably get a tad louder with age I guess.  If I am proven wrong and this thing does 'open up' it’s going to be scary how good it is.  It’s already loud and perfect!"

-Pate in Tennessee

back to top

"You just had a beautiful baby boy, and I just received a beautiful baby F5!  Thank you so much.  It is a wonderful instrument...

I also have to compliment your workmanship.  My goodness!!  This is as cleanly built a mandolin as I have ever seen...It's really quite remarkable.  Flawless is the word that comes to mind.  You have outdone yourself.  Compliments to the chef!"

-Cory in Texas

"Andrew, I could not be more happy and satisfied with the way it turned out!  It's absolutely gorgeous!  I'm blown away!  The pictures just couldn't do it justice!

The tone is crisp and clear and has a lot of depth... Thank you for creating such a wonderful, personalized work of art for me!  It really is everything I want it to be. So in summary, you're a genius mandolin builder and I am forever grateful for the work you did for me."

-Michael in Georgia

"Well, it's been a little over a month and I can finally put words to how perfect this instrument is.  One of my musical heroes once told me that to play really well, the instrument needs to become an extension of your soul. I've been playing music for 19 years and have not been able to achieve that until now.  I can safely say, that somehow you have crafted that instrument for me.  The tone is rich, full, sweet, and resonant.  It plays so easy, I can magically play tunes on this instruments that I had difficulty with on my previous mandolin.  It is very addictive.  I find myself wanting to play it all the time. I actually have to make myself stop playing this mandolin.  The finish is beautiful... I've compared to many instruments, both carved and flat top, nearly three times the price and have yet to find one that compares to the powerful sweet sound of my brand new Mowry.   I appreciate how easy it was to work with you on creating this one of a kind instrument.  I look forward to working with you again!"

-Ryan in North Carolina

"I wanted to drop you a line to let you know that I have got my hands on the mandolin.  If anything, it is even better than I expected-- it is absolutely gorgeous and plays really beautifully.  It has a fantastic ring and sounds great even high up the neck...I don't think I could ask for a better mandolin, even if I'd paid twice as much!"

-Craig in Scotland

"This is just a spectacular mandolin in every respect.  I was drawn to your work by the beautiful aesthetics of your carving, and this A5 is a match for any mandolin I've ever seen, simply as a work of art.  The fit and finish are immaculate, the range of precise details...are stunning.  The sound is just wonderful, too.  Very clear, really evenly balanced, a good bit of punch without being harsh, strong sustain- and is it LOUD!  Well suited for jazz and choro- but I know bluegrassers would go for this sound too.

Working with you on this was as much fun as I've had in a long, long time! And now I get to keep the mandolin, too!"

-Brad in North Carolina

"Well, suffice it to say, I won’t be exercising the two-week option to return the instrument.  I’m loving it out of the box.  The sound is everything I was hoping for and more.  It is rich, complex and plays beautifully, fast or slow, quiet or loud.

Thank you for taking the time to understand my vision.  Thank you for going above and beyond in all the details as well.  I can tell hundreds of hours were put into crafting this beauty.  I could not be happier with your work."

-Steve in California

"I'm the caretaker for the blonde in Andrews latest batch... it's beyond fantastic. I spent the whole first week with it purposely looking for something I didn't like about it.  Nothing found... I wouldn't sell it for $10,000. It renders me speechless."

-Dave in Missouri

"It's getting increasingly harder not to rave like a lunatic about my new Mowry. We're still getting to know one another and we're getting on just fine. Sometimes I have to just stop playing, as I'm truly amazed at the subtle complexity of her voice. I certainly don't deserve such a fine instrument, so I consider myself very lucky."

-Jonathan in New York

"The mandolin arrived last night, and I'm still at a loss for words... It is truly a work of art in every detail... The treble is beautiful and the bass is already quite substantial...I can say with absolute assurance that barring any disasters, I will keep this mandolin for the rest of my life. I truly can't wait to hear what it will sound like when it has a few years of playing behind it. It is hard to imagine how it could get any better.

I'll stop being so effusive in a moment, but I would also like to add that it has been a pleasure working with you, and the end result is better than I ever could have hoped for."

-James in Washington, D.C.

back to top

"I had the pleasure of test driving a brand-spankin' new Mowry two-point mandolin over the past two weeks and this Engelmann spruce-topped mandolin was incredible. I was blown away every time I picked up the Mowry to play...The fit and varnish finish on the Mowry is perfect--I mean perfect. I could not find a single flaw anywhere on this instrument...

I honestly feel you will be hard pressed to find a better mandolin for the buck than with a Mowry.  I'd say get in line for this builder, as he is one to watch. In fact, quit watching and get your order in! BTW, I have no financial interest in Mowry mandolins--just lots of respect and support for yet another GREAT builder of our beloved instrument."

-Jim in Kansas

"Just a short note to tell you how pleased I am with my new mandolin. First of all I would like to thank you for getting it right. The fit and finish are top shelf and among the best I have ever seen ---- period. The playability is exactly what I wanted, soft as butter with J75's. The tone is absolutely wonderful to my ears. The notes are clear all the way up the neck with no hint of degradation. The treble is substantial and projects very well ; the bass is resonant  and still developing. Chop chords are very authoritative. When I play the mandolin the body resonates in a way that it really feels alive. At MerleFest I received many compliments regarding the tone,finish and playability of the mandolin ---- compliments from popular mandolin luthiers as well as some dynamite pickers."

-Lane in North Carolina

"Well, I've had my Mowry mando for a week now, and I'm loving it... On the lower end, D/G strings, there is a good, deep body to the notes.  The A/E have a great snap to them...

Fretting is great - (almost) no effort for the first fret to sound out nicely, and everywhere else seems good and responsive... The weight and balance are also great - it sits just right, so my fretting hand can just concentrate on playing...

You make an extraordinarily beautiful instrument, and I consider myself lucky to have an F5 of yours to grow up with as I continue and expand my playing for years to come.  Thank you!"

-Dave in Connecticut

"I bought one of Andrew’s F-5 models and could not be happier with it. What I really like about it is that it has a beautiful bell tone on the highs that still “packs a punch” and a great “thump” on the low end. The chop is nice and “woofy” and the action is amazing.

I can’t say enough about the beauty of the instrument. The finish is amazing and the hand carving is awesome".

-Pete in Illinois

"The mandolin plays very easily, and it speaks very quick, with a bright hard sound-- it seems to spit notes out like machine-gun fire, and I mean that in a good way.  I find I'm playing everything twice as fast as I'm used to...

One thing you don't want to lose is the incredible evenness from string to string.  The same run played in open position and up the neck sounds the same.  I've never had an instrument that sounded so clear in the higher positions...

...And it is a thing of great beauty."

-Bruce in British Columbia"Your mandolin arrived today and it is absolutely beautiful...The detail and carving is flawless and it certainly sounds great... It is a true masterpiece in substance and sound!"

-Patrick in Pennsylvania

back to top

"I got my new Andrew Mowry mandolin yesterday... I could not be happier about the way it looks; elegant and understated- –just perfect.  Absolutely perfect!! The notes are bell-clear all over the neck and there is a nice growl in the lower registers.

...I could not be happier than I am about my experience working with Andrew.  He absorbed my ridiculous questions with interest and grace and faithfully translated my wishes into an impeccable mandolin (with a great new James
tailpiece)."

-Clarke in Maine

"Hooray-- It came yesterday...The octave mandolin  is awesome-- what a beautiful instrument!  I love the size, the lightness of it and the BOOMING sound. How did you get so much sound out of that little thing?"

 -Steve in Utah

"I've got a blonde Mowry F5, and I can't say enough good things about it. Excellent woods, perfect workmanship, great setup, and, most importantly, wonderful tone... I played one other Mowry, before ordering this one, and found it to be just as nice. Andrew was a wonderful luthier to work with; he was very accommodating in his desire to build just what I wanted."

 -Charlie in Utah

"When I first picked up your mandolin and started [playing] chords all I could think was "wow”... I am able to do things on your mandolin that I never thought I would be able to do...It is one of the most beautiful sounding mandolins I have ever heard.  It is nice and loud and the chop is just right.  It makes most of my solos sound ten times better.

...I love the look of the mandolin too.  The hand carving you did on the body just looks simply amazing.  The stain, the hardware, everything just looks great...I consider myself very lucky to have such a fine instrument."

-Josh in Pennsylvania