sackpipa (swedish bagpipe) and nyckelharpa oval and d-hole maccaferri designs mandolins, mandolas, octave-mandolins carved-top, long and short scale citterns irish bouzoukis, bazars, carved and flat-top

EXTRAS
a. Pickups
b. Inlay
c. Other
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 PICKUPS
    
 I have tried many, many pickups over the years. I can take reccomendations from my patrons if they have something particular in mind. The brands of under-saddle varieites I have found that sound best and have good string-to-string balance are Headway, BBand, and LRBaggs. Any of those work for the mandolin family instruments as well. BBand and Baggs use a film sensor that is very thin.They also make stereo pickup systems working in conjunction with a small interior mic. Headway uses a cable piezo that senses the bridge and vibrations from 360 degrees. All of these brands are available with side mount EQ for an additional charge.

For the Gypsy jazz guitars I have used Bigtone for a bridge pickup. These are a non-active piezo bar and can be inserted under the ebony saddle, or in a one-piece bridge can be sandwiched inside the rosewood bridge. There is also a selmer pickup from Schatten that is applied under the top between two braces which sounds very transparent.

                   
                 

SCHATTEN PICKUP

PICKUP PRICES IN CDN$

HEADWAY ACTIVE                          $250
BBAND ACTIVE                                $200
LRBAGGS ACTIVE                           $250
SCHATTEN ACTIVE                         $200
BIGTONE PASSIVE                          $250

       
 INLAY
 

 I do custom inlay on most of the commissions. Generally, a customer supplies me with an image that I render to a 2D drawing. From there the necessary pieces are cut from mother-of-pearl or abalone and inlaid and engraved. I can give a quote for any idea you have. I can also work from basic concepts to create an image, such as from celtic knotwork and traditional Norse artwork. Here's a few from the past :

   
             
                 
                   
 
 OTHER
           
 From time to time I get asked to add on different materials or hardware. I can substitute small changes in scale length for free, but beyond that there is usually a small charge. Many of my designs have evolved from original customer custom commissions. So don't be afraid to enquire about getting something new built. Here is a short list of a few things I get asked for:

GOLD STRAP BUTTONS          N/C
GOLD TUNERS                ADD $25
MAPLE NECK                            $50
LAMINATED NECK                   $150
WAVERLEY TUNERS               $120+
EXTRA SADDLE/NUT              $40

In closing, feel free of course to call or email anytime about how to make your instrument special.

Thanks,
Lawrence
     
 

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