Home Page
Welcome to my site and thank-you for visiting. I am handcrafting instruments primarily in the Mandolin family. Classic and Celtic Mandolin, the smaller,higher pitched Piccolo Mandolin, the larger and deeper Tenor Mandola, Mandocello, Octave Mandolin and Irish Bouzouki.
The Mandolin is not just an instrument for Italian serenades or something found at bluegrass festivals; it is as expressive and enjoyable to play as its cousins in the violin family. Becoming more and more popular, the mandolin is a joy to play; and is used in many areas of music including rock, country, blues, classical, jazz, bluegrass, folk, fusion, and many more.
Instruments of the mandolin family have also become veritable works of art themselves, utilizing not only valuable instrument tone woods for optimal sound, but beautiful woods, inlays and finishes making the mandolin a thing of beauty.
I have also made instruments like the Bowed Dulcimer, Longneck Dulcimer, members of the Ukulele family; including versions in soprano, concert and the Barritone Archtop Jazz Ukulele. Guitars in the acoustic, electric and bowed realm; currently I find the challenge of the mandolin family interesting.
These instruments can bring pleasure to all ages; since they are not hard to learn, and are carefully designed to be easy to play. The handmade instrument allows for the loving care and control over the finished product that assembly line instruments cannot provide. Materials, design, and voicing are at the top of the list, not elusive profit. Plus there is the possibility for having a one of a kind instrument created, that bears the soul of the maker and the owner forever.
Hand carved woods, sealed instrument finishes, tapered boat profile necks, quality woodcraft, and pleasurable harmonics; all part of the incredible handmade experience. And surprisingly enough, often more affordable than many factory instruments. And of course made in America.
On this site, you are invited to browse my expressions of handmade instruments, offered for your viewing and playing pleasure.
My work can also be seen at Encore Music
I desire to offer an attractive and very playable instrument at a price that gives very good value for a very good instrument. Your suggestions, comments, and ideas are always welcome.
A happy 2012 to you all, let's hope and pray it is a good year!
-Keith Edward Coleman
Sing unto the LORD with the harp; and the voice of a psalm Ps.98:5
