Don MacRostie

Hands-on Mandolin Making

Meet Our Team

Registration Info

Don MacRostie -
Building an Archtop Mandolin

2002 Dates: June 17 - 29

We're enjoying a mandolin making Renaissance, thanks to the huge popularity of bluegrass music. The American archtop mandolin is as vital, and its makers as inspired, as at any time in its history.

Don MacRostie is one of the most respected and influential mandolin makers working today. His beautifully hand-crafted Red Diamond Mandolins are among the most sought after instruments of their type. Don's recently released video series on mandolin making confirms his credentials as a clear and thoughtful teacher as well as a creative designer of lutherie tools and practical shop techniques.

During this two-week intensive workshop, Don will lead students through the making and completion of an archtop 'A' style mandolin, beginning with just the raw wood, tools, and a set of plans. By the end of this class we'll be playing mandolins that didn't exist two weeks earlier.

Don will also explain and demonstrate the unique features of the more time-consuming 'F' style mandolin, with its ornate scrolls, fancy trim and dramatic sunburst finish.

(We'll be adding a good deal of information on this course during the weeks to come, Check back for more details.)

INSTRUCTOR'S BIO:

Don MacRostie has lived and worked in the rolling hills of rural Athens, Ohio for over twenty years. Originally from Gainesville, Florida, Don studied at Ohio University before starting work at Stewart-MacDonald Mfg. Company (now Stewart-MacDonald's Guitar Shop Supply) in the late 70's. There he masterminded the tooling for Stewart-MacDonald's famous mandolin, banjo and guitar kits. Throughout his career at Stew-Mac he has designed many tools for instrument building and repair that are in use throughout the industry as well as in his own shop.

In the early 1980s Don began the work of converting an old building on his small farm outside of Athens into a makeshift woodshop. Over the years he has worked with this space expanding it, acquiring equipment, and developing his personal techniques for creating handmade instruments efficiently. Three additions later that building is now a one-man production facility equipped with machinery and tools (many designed by Don himself) for every stage of instrument production. Only 12 Red Diamond instruments are produced in a year - each one created entirely by Don.

To reserve a spot in this class, print out, complete and mail in the registration form along with your tuition deposit. Tuition for this 2-week workshop is $2,500 + materials, tuition deposit is $500. The cost of materials can vary, depending on your choices. An economical selection of materials will cost approximately $250 - $300