This is the mandolin we had in our heads when we first started shaping wood into remarkable instruments. One that does away with fancy scroll work and relies purely on rich, warm sound to make an impression. A mandolin that reflects both our obsessive nature with the finest instruments of the past—yes, we’ve spent some hundreds of hours looking at CT scans of the world’s great violins and mandolins, studying wood densities, making 3D scans, and analyzing recordings to dial in specific frequencies when we carve and voice the instrument—and our slightly crazy ways.  

You see before you play the Model M, know that a whole bunch of other musicians already have. We gave early production models to musicians. Had them take them on the road, play in front of a crowd, play in the heat, play on a bus at four in the morning. Their feedback is built into every mandolin we make.

Extraordinary and accessible the Model M and Model M+ models bring together qualities at the core of our business and our approach to making traditional instruments.

History. Countless hours honing our craft. A bit of ‘crazy.’ Yes, a lot more goes into this mandolin than first meets the eye.

• Top: Engelmann Spruce

• Back / Neck / Sides: Highly Figured Maple

• Bridge / Fingerboard: Ebony

• Tuners: Gotoh (Nickel or Black Plated)

• Tailpiece: Nugget® designed by Mike Kemnitzer (Nickel or Black Plated)

• Binding: Single-Ply Black Top-Bound

• Pickguard: Black Phenolic

• Nut Width: 1 & 1/8” (28mm)

• Fingerboard Radius: 5.7" at the nut, 7.7" at 20th fret

• Finish: Spirit Varnish

• Color: Amber Top

• Strings: Northfield Medium Phosphor Bronze

• Case: Grey Airloom Recurve

All instruments from the Old Town School Music Store are professionally evaluated in our climate-controlled storefront before shipping, and directly support the missions, programs, and continued growth of the Old Town School of Folk Music.

Questions? Message us anytime!