ANDERSON LUTHERIE

A Wonderful Illustration.

2009-10-06T20:10:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to share an illustration I came across on ukulelia.com. This definitely puts me in a fall mood; moreover, a ukulele mood. Have I ever mentioned that I love the ukulele? In my humble opinion, it is one of the best instruments out there. Here is a link to the illustrator's flickr page.

Still Ever Busy

2009-09-28T20:09:00.000-07:00

Hark! I am still very hard at work for the Music Center of Deerfield. Rental season is still beating me under the water, keeping me from breathing. Hopefully someday soon I will be able to come up for air and calm waters. Nonetheless I can say that time is passing fast and I am never bored while on the clock. Frustrated maybe but never bored.

I ran accross an idea the other day and it has consumed my mind. I was wondering if anyone out there in the world still made double bass banjos. Apparently someone does. I'm not sure what this gentleman's building credits are but the photos on his site are incredible. A very intriguing instrument design. I want everyone to check it out. This gentleman's ideas have inspired me to attempt the same. Not sure what all of the elements of his design are, but I have a few modifications I'd like to make from his template.

In unrelated news to building and repairing, Adrienne and I have been very busy with work at our house. Finally we were able to finish the porch floors. I want to say this was a great learning experience. I leave you with a picture of the finished floor. The contrast of old and new is great (old is in the foreground and new is in the background). Adrienne and I are hoping for similar results in the rest of the house.

Lastly, everyone go to simplifymedia.com and download the program. It is free and it is great.

Another Week Cometh

2009-08-30T21:00:00.000-07:00

Rental season is still upon me. I won't be able to breath until late October. Needless to say I haven't been able to think about what to write about next. I figure a nice link to Ukulele Hunt is due so anyone venturing here can find some entertainment rather than low quality drivel.

Ukulele Hunt

Another week cometh and I am ready to face orchestral instruments in a whirling dervish.

Really Rental Repair

2009-08-12T12:58:00.000-07:00

I might as well drop a post especially with the large gap between last writing. My wife is off to a horn lesson and I have nothing else to do so I see a great opportunity to let everyone know what has been going on with Anderson Lutherie Co.

My current state of everything is that at the Music Center of Deerfield (right here in Illinois) I have been busy with the coming of rental season. What that means is school is about to start and so are music programs. What that then means is Music Center of Deerfield sends out hundreds of little violin family instruments for the kids to learn. Finally my point arrives...I have been busy preparing/fixing many violins and the like. As much as I don't like this time of year there is a sense of invigoration that comes with crazy busyness.

As for the next post I'll make sure it comes sooner than later. Signing off.

Been Busy Building (BBB)

2009-06-13T17:35:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd stop by my own blog and give an update. I am finding it difficult to make a concerted effort to blog more. Could it be the enjoying of life away from the computer that keeps me from my goals? Could it be the lack of creativeness to think of a good topic? I'm not sure, but I am sure that I am here now, posting a post. Post.

I've been building, which is a great feeling. More time has been given to this area of my career. For this I am grateful. If I were to choose between building and repairing...building, every time.

I thank all of you for stopping by. Let me know what you think of the ukulele project so far by leaving me a comment. You can find a updated photo slideshow to the left. Thank you again. Happy summer! Oh, and here are some places to check out: Ukulele Hunt, (I'll have more links in awhile, I want to watch a movie).

April and Going

2009-04-23T18:10:00.000-07:00

Again another wonderful month has passed. Again I was very busy, all too busy to update this blog-o-mine. On a quiet Thursday night, I am here, to update and inform the readers of this blog. There are many things I should be doing but I am choosing to type.

I updated the little slide show to the left. Moreover, I will be continually updating photos. I have a few good ones from this months' customer work and also the ukulele project.

On the subject of the ukulele project.,I've started to pick up steam. I feel that finally all my thoughts are lined up and I can go all in. I am excited for this model I'm developing and hope that it will be a success. One can never know for sure if creative dreams will actually work out. If you get a chance to view the pictures to the left you'll notice some interesting details. All right angles and a finer touch of F-holes. Truly a ukulele jazz box (no, really, think of a box and that's what I'm making). I get excited just thinking about my new creation. Let's hope others will too.

Beyond all the shop stuff, Adrienne and I are going through a lot of changes in our life. One namely, is that we're trying to purchase a home. Stressful times. I would have never guessed all the paperwork that goes into buying a home. Even with all the stresses of home buying we're very excited and can't wait to have a small part of the "American dream."

Until next post, take care.

Mid March Madness

2009-03-19T06:01:00.000-07:00

I'm aware that the March Madness starts today. Actually four hours from now a tip-off will have taken place and that orange leather orb will start its day's abuse. People will go crazy for upsets. Pundits will analyze the crap out of every move. Tears will be shed.

Don't you love it? I do to a degree, but if I had my way I would rather watch some baseball or play some softball. Nothin' like it!

Work continues on a due course. Building has been picking up speed. Overall a very good month for my creative juices.

February, Month of Love

2009-03-03T06:45:00.000-08:00

February has come and gone. I might add that the crafty month went by with a swiftness. Funny how a shorter month actually feels that much shorter. Even with the swiftness of February I was able to get a lot done and was kept very busy, both in and out of the shop. What I have to conclude about the month is that I will be glad when the humidity of Spring and Summer return. The change of seasons are more consistent than peoples willingness to keep their instruments humidified.

March is now here and close behind March is April. I'm sure by the time my eyes open from a blink it will be December. Regardless I thank everyone for their business so far. I've enjoyed every single piece that has found a temporary home in my shop. I hope that in the future that I can meet more of you and the instruments you use to fill the air with frequencies (frequencies sounds far too scientific, however, it sounds less cliche than sweet melodies).

This entry was posted while listening to the new M. Ward album Hold Time.

Back in the States

2009-01-15T05:37:00.000-08:00

Well I've made it back to the United States. For the past two weeks I was spending some time in India. The time spent there was amazing to say the absolute least. The people met, the works done, and the music that was heard was a very satisfying experience. Hopefully soon I will have a slide show posting so that anyone venturing across this site could enjoy a little color.

I want to thank everyone who had Adrienne and I in their prayers. God did amazing things and continues to do amazing things for the people of India. Adrienne and I were blessed greatly by the people we met. We went to serve and help the people of India and equal benefit was granted to us. It was hard to leave. We'll miss everyone we met in India. Hopefully soon we can return.

On the other side of things I'm ready to get back to work. Two weeks of not touching a guitar string, getting my hands dirty with glue, and not smelling the dust of wood was hard for me. So I'm excited to smell bronze and glue.

Again I hope this meets everyone while they are doing well. With a short note I just added the "followers" widget to the left and renamed it "readers." Click and become a reader so that you can be updated every time I place another post. May God bless you until the next time I write.

Banjolele is Done

2008-12-01T20:51:00.000-08:00

I have finally finished the Slingerland Banjo Ukulele. It took a long time. It took effort. Now that everything is finished strums abound. Wonderful sounds and intriguing tones came from that great little instrument. A black and white fantasy world of the old 1920's came furiously to my mind. With the "hissy", "hollow" tone I saw flappers dancing to some crazy rag.

I'm not too sure why this world is my first thought. Nonetheless it's a wonderful fantasy. Until next post everyone take care. Plus before next post I plan on playing for many hours on my new musical time machine. Sometimes I wish I was George Formby Jr.

A New Project

2008-08-02T19:27:00.000-07:00

Hello to everyone out there in the world. I wanted to write some words to let everyone know about my new project. Not too long ago I acquired an old Slingerland Banjo-Ukulele from an old estate. From what I can determine from the markings, and the research of others, the instrument dates back to 1923 and earlier (before "maybell" was stamped on many Slingerland models).

So far it's a fun project. There is a whole list of things that need to be done to it before it will be playable. Compounded with the fact that this instrument is an antique I'm taking careful steps to make sure it's done correctly. If anyone has any experience with restoring antique instruments and wants to throw some tips or suggestions my way please leave a comment. Overall I'm greatly enjoying the careful process of restoration and also anticipating the day when this banjo sings again.

The first place I'm throwing my efforts is with the neck. After assessing all of the areas needing work the neck seems to be where most of the restoration will take place. The neck is Birdseye Maple with a dark hardwood stringer (not too sure on its classification, doesn't seem to be ebony). With the environment it was in for many years (bagged in an attic) the neck has started to split at the peghead and also at the heel. Layers of dirt and dust seeped into the cracks and much time is being spent on cleaning out the gunk. On top of cleaning out the dirt I've started the process of conditioning all of the woods that had dried out.

Hopefully soon I'll have some photos showing the restoration. Moreover, I'm hoping to make this a weekly update on what's going on with the "old banjo." Keep an eye out for updated photos if you're a visual person. Till next time.

A Good Picture

2008-07-10T22:06:00.000-07:00

I'm sure that most Americans have been to a fireworks show. If by chance you are an American that has not attended such a fine display of colorful explosives you should check your patriotic pulse. Once again Adrienne and I were able to attend the Vernon Hills Fireworks show with some friends. We all had a good time playing board games, listening to a band that seemed to never take a breath in the music, eating cheese puffs, and watching bright paid-by-the-tax-payer fireworks.

I was looking through our pictures of the event and thought that I'd share this particular picture with whoever rolls across this drivel. I bid all to enjoy.

Long Long Time

2008-06-02T08:47:00.000-07:00

It's been a very long time since I've written on this thing. I thought it appropriate to at the very least say hello.

"Hello."

I've been busy with work and all the other things of life. Thankfully repair work is starting to pick-up in my personal shop and also at the Music Center of Deerfield. I'm having a great time.

These Weeks

2008-01-26T08:34:00.000-08:00

I have had a great time these weeks with a little instrument named the ukulele. I had fallen in love with the uke years ago, but in the last few weeks I've started to enjoy a few more things regarding this instrument. One is a podcast that I just subscribed to called Ukecast. Wonderful little podcast starring a gentleman from Alabama and a lad from England. They explore and review music from uke players around the world. Moreover they give little lesson bites and accessory reviews. A great-fun-time for ukulele lovers.

Another is the website ukulelereview.com. I'm liking this blog so much that I've decided to link it over to the right. Apparently this is a newer blog, but the author seems to be writing and updating on a regular basis. Check it out.

I've also had some great opportunity to make big steps in the construction of my tenor ukulele. I'm hoping that what I'm developing currently can be a mainstay for a good tenor model. We'll see, with some spruce, mahogany, and love one can never guess.

2008! Man That's Great!

2008-01-13T15:37:00.000-08:00

I'm having a hard time believing that we are almost a decade into the new millennium. The time has passed so quickly. Regardless I am happy about 2008. So many things happen in 2008 that excite me. Take the elections in February and November for example. I always get excited when election years come around.

This year has also brought with it some more work for me to do, which is great when work is a labor of love. Instruments are starting to take over my living room and bedroom. Adrienne and I are excited about it now, but it's already looking like more space may be beneficial.

Even greater is that my building projects have resumed. I took a long break from building while getting nestled into a newer job, but with new drive and new resolutions building has come alive. Also in connection with resolutions I hope to be better about regular posts on this blog. Give the people a little something to read.

Have a good week everyone.

And it goes on.

2007-12-17T20:39:00.000-08:00

Life has been busy lately. Anyone could probably judge that by the gap in time with the last post and this one. I must admit, however, that I have been doing things much more constructive than typing on a blog (hold the applause please). Life goes on and so does the business. And that is that.

Oh The Mando

2007-10-23T18:34:00.000-07:00

I just got done working on an old Washburn bowl-back mandolin. This instrument was great concerning all aspects. Originating from right around the 1900's, Washburn did an outstanding job when it came to this instrument. When I was able to finally get through the layer of "history" that covered the top and back, the finished gleamed. The beautiful rosewood slated back was incredible. It had intricate mother of pearl inlays on the fretboard and pickguard. Awesome! I'm not sure what the instrument looked like originally but I suspect that this mandolin had truly beautified with age, including its sound.

The sound was full and robust. It pushed forward a natural growl from the low end, not typically felt with a mandolin, while maintaining a crisp sound. My ears loved every vibration. After playing for a little while I wished I was taking some mandolin lessons for myself.

This instrument was a pleasure to work on. There was a hairline crack between the bridge and the end block on the top, which was most likely a humidity crack. With nothing else loose or out of place it was an easy enough mend with a great end result. Some other set-up work and the mandolin was ready to be played.

I wish the customer I fixed it for many happy strums. There are some pictures below. Enjoy.

A Name Change

2007-10-20T16:43:00.000-07:00

So, through long thought, I've changed my business name. No longer "Anderson Luthiery" but "Anderson Lutherie." A very slight change but worlds of difference. The change can be compared to spelling punk rock as "punk rawk." That comparison only goes so far so don't waste too much time thinking about it. Although I've seen the word lutherie spelled both ways I will be going forward with this spelling. Hope everyone enjoys the change, maybe offer a toast to the change.

Repair "a-this-and-a-that"

2007-10-20T14:53:00.000-07:00

These last few weeks have been great. I've started to get some repair work. Most of my repair work has come from the store that I'm connected with, which is great. They don't get too many customer repairs in (yet, ha ha), so most repairs are for rental or store stock. I'm loving every minute of it. There's nothing greater than spending time on someone's instrument to make it play how they want it to; making their playing experience even that much better.

I've also been able to start the process of building my ukulele. I plan on having some photos posted when I get a little further along. Moreover, Adrienne and I were able to escape Chicago area and take a vacation in Pentwater, Michigan. It was wonderful, a little warm, but still a great time.

Beyond any of this, Chicago sports fans have little to get excited about. Cubs out fast, Sox never in. Bears on an uphill climb. Hopefully Bulls can pull something together. Regardless let's have fun watching.