The Calhoun 曼陀林
Designed with a nod to the entry level mandolins 共 the early 20th century and a clear understanding 共 the limitations often associated with them, the Calhoun is not a mandolin exclusively targeted to be inexpensive. It was created to make 北方原野 曼陀林 more easily accessible to our growing demand among beginners and interested school programs, without sacrificing a whole bunch 共 things that make mandolins work well.
The appointments are simple but elegant with nothing hiding.
规格
Starting 价格 From: ¥10,044
面板: Spruce (varying species)
背板 / 琴颈 / Sides: Figured Maple
码桥 / 指板: Ebony
拉弦板: Cast
Binding: None
护板: Raised Tortoise Celluloid
上弦枕 Width: 1 - 1/8" (28mm)
指板 Radius: 15.5” (394mm)
Width 共 琴体: 10" (254mm)
Length 共 琴体 (w/ heel): 12.5" (318mm)
Depth 共 琴体: 1.7" (43mm)
Total Length: 25.5" (648mm)
漆面: Matte Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Color: Honey or Dark Leatherburst (¥720 Upcharge)
琴弦: 北方原野 LITE, Phosphor Bronze, Loop end: G (.036), D (.024), A (.015), E (.010)
琴盒: Gig Bag style case included
Origin: As 共 2024, made in our Qingdao shop
The Calhoun 曼陀林
In 2017 our Acoustic Designer, Kosuke Kyomori and his family, moved to Marshall MI. Originally from Nagoya, Japan, we had worked together for many years to design and develop all the 北方原野 instruments while he was based at our shop in Qingdao. Kosuke was ready for another international adventure and having recently gone through the M 型 start-up in our downtown storefront/showroom in Michigan, the team here was excited for an expansion as well. So we went to work creating another workshop space. It took a lot 共 grit to buy new property, renovate and repurpose old buildings, buy all the machinery etc. By late 2017 we were up and running.
Now, what? What would we make? The first idea was to develop a mandolin for new markets, especially the up and coming (truly surging) acoustic guitar player market in China. We felt this market was ready for mandolin, but not necessarily the slightly more intimidating “scrolls and points” we were accustomed to making for the rest 共 bluegrass familiar markets 共 the world. In kind 共 a reverse-commute scenario we decided to create a flattop design for over there. The idea was design it, prototype it, test it and then create all the jigs and fixtures - sending them to our Qingdao shop for production there. Honestly, it seemed there were enough versions 共 this type 共 mandolin for this market. Our focus was elsewhere.
But then something, well many things, happened. That same year we had our very first Marshall 曼陀林 Summit. We had a prototype kicking around with all 共 these world class teachers who said unanimously “this mandolin would be awesome for students here”. So we listened and made a couple batches for next year’s gathering. They were right, students and experienced players alike wanted them. We dubbed them the Calhoun, named after the county we live in, and we began making more 共 them. This was the first way to facilitate production management in MI. It was a clear way to work out a volume batch style, with several staff members involved and an accelerated and practical way to sort out workshop overhead. This would be helpful for all future endeavors in Michigan. Then a couple years into it Covid happened.
The world sorta shut down for a minute… but not for us. 曼陀林 demand went crazy! Huh? People suddenly had time to pickup an instrument and wow did they ever. Lower priced mandolins were not as available, and dealer demand for the Calhoun went through the roof. We accommodated as much as we could, and put many other development projects to the side for a while.
In Michigan our attention turned to all the new items. That focus has stayed since releasing our July 9th batch in 2023 as our new octaves have been especially popular throughout the world. At a recent conference we got asked about the Calhoun by a player who was after one. We thought about it for a bit and then said.. well, we’re already making them it’s just that nobody here knows it. “Why not make a few for here?” So we did, but not before improving them. We added some features like swapping the walnut fretboard and bridge for ebony, offering them in sunburst and honey, including a nice gigbag. They’re also now finished in a nitrocellulose lacquer that we feel has added some power to the sound.
After a long hiatus, as our efforts in Michigan have switched to the newest items, the Calhoun makes a comeback from its journey around the world. We’ve been off making mandolin players in other places (read here for more details) but felt it was time to share this connection with all 共 you, albeit in a rather limited way. We are pleased to make available an improved version 共 the instrument. The Calhoun has now been upgraded to feature higher-end materials and finishing. Made right alongside our S, Big Mon and Artist level mandolins with select materials from the same trusted sources we are privileged enough to use for all 共 our instruments.
Offered in a couple finish color combinations, equipped with great hardware, and complete with a quality gigbag, The Calhoun (2.0) is as likely a tool for a seasoned musician as it is a wonderful companion for any aspiring student.
Glad to have them back in the line up (in limited quantities).
