-Testimonials-

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"I've been playing it with immense pleasure all summer long. It has become the mando-family instrument I reach for first, and play the longest. As I said in my earlier email, its clarity of tone and quality of tone up the neck have opened up a whole new musical space for me. I can move all over the neck and play open bass notes and upper register notes together and hear it speaking in the same voice. The only other mando family instruments I've played that have this 'same voice' quality were Monteleones, and one Lawrence Smart. You are keeping excellent company.

TJ Sutherland

San Francisco, CA

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"I'm an owner of a Brian Dean mandola, whose birthmonth is February of 2004. I've used this 'dola on recording sessions and in live performance, and it has a warm, round voice with solid projection. As a bonus, it looks great!

When I say that this instrument has a 'birthmonth, it's to point out that Brian makes instruments that have singular souls and personalities; they are not merely instruments, but living, breathing beings that possess their own brand of beauty. My Dean 'dola has a unique character that only improves with each passing year.

Brian also has the soul of an explorer; he is always trying new designs and new instruments that are emblematic of a craftsman on a quest for tonal perfection.

I am presently blessed to be playing duo performances with Peter Ostroushko--one of the finest fiddlers and mandolinists on the planet. Look for my Dean mandola to be joining my guitar in the musical mix!

Danny Gotham

Chapel Hill, NC

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Having spent considerable time with my new mandolin I find my initial impressions confirmed every time I pick it up to play. First of all, it is a visually stunning instrument. The fit and finish is everything we aimed for. I thank you for being so exacting in your work. It is amazing that you had never built a mandolin quite like this one. The finish indeed looks like a fine old violin and the violin edges and purfling really complete the picture. The inlays and the carved sound hole really inspire me as I play.

However, the beauty of this instrument is surpassed only by the sound. The tone is sweet, rich, full of overtones, with no hint of harshness and seems to just flow effortlessly from the instrument. It truly translates what I feel into what I play. The neck is fast and comfortable. I have played a lot of mandolins many much more expensive than this one and I can truly say that I have never heard a better sounding mandolin. Nor have I ever found with with better playability. At a local get together of old time and celtic musicians a friend of mine played it and simply said, 'That thing nearly plays itself.

Thank you again for being a joy to work with. I tell everyone about your work and I wish the best for your future. May all your mandolins be loved as much as this one.

Rev. Ray Payne

Russell, KY

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...have been playing it all afternoon. I am very pleased with this instrument. It has a lovely, open sound with rich overtones and has a wide tonal range as you move up and down the fingerboard. The resonance of the notes seem to go on forever regardless of whether it is an open string or fretted note. It takes very well to the GDAD tuning for celtic playing and really sounds wonderful in that style. Good volume and projection.

It plays very easy with a nice radius to the fingerboard and a comfortable modified V profile to the neck. With this profile and neck width, the neck tends to sit in your hand like a mandolin which I like.

The inlay and bindings are very attractive and not overstated at all. Brian is great to deal with and I would recommend him and his work to anyone who is looking for a fine octave mandolin.

Patrick Hanly

Greenport, NY

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It's gorgeous, and it sounds as good as it looks. I like the sound more than my wonderful Gibson snakehead; there's something for you! It was worth the wait, and I'll tell all how easy it was to work with you. I love the shape and color and the inlays and my name. Great abalone dots too...everything is wonderful. Thank you.

Deirdre Cochran

Middleburg, VA

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I got the mandolin yesterday... BEAUTIFUL!!! I got it about two o'clock and left with it for a gig at five. It performed what I would consider, magnificently superb... The sound is very alive... It's crisp and clean and extremely well balanced in frequencies, and at the same time round and mellow... The mandolin has great playability and response and is full of harmonic overtones... It has as much, if not more, volume and projection as any I've played without being annoying in the upper registers... I can't tell you enough how happy and lucky I am to have seen this mandolin on your website and taken a "chance" on it... The pictures didn't do it justice... Being a woodworker myself, I am very impressed with the workmanship, clean lines and design, and your eye for artistic detail... All in all I'll say again, it's a wonderful instrument and I'm a proud owner.

Dan Daly

Ohio

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I've been playing her as constantly as work allows, and every time I do, I adore her even more. It's the perfect mandolin for me, in every respect, singing so prettily and easily, practically responding to my thoughts."

Sharon Peplinski

North Carolina

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I am thrilled with my new octave mandolin. Just thrilled. This is visually THE most beautiful instrument I think I've ever seen or played, and certainly that I've ever owned! Brian's skill and artistry is abundantly clear. The woodwork is astonishing, and the aesthetics even more so... the harmony and balance of design elements and contour and flow. That is really Brian's unique and prodigious talent. The pictures don't do justice to the sculptural quality of this instrument... how the curving lines are harmonious from every angle, and the shapes echo each other... from the broad sweeping shapes to the tiny details.

Tone and playability are marvelous too (and I'm picky!). This OM is very responsive to a light touch, and yet has plenty of power when needed. It has more sustain and interesting overtones than I know what to do with! The neck feels right in my hand. The tone is balanced across the strings and on up the neck. This is an heirloom quality instrument- a looker AND a player - which I expect to keep for my lifetime.

As an added bonus, Brian has been a pleasure to work with. He seems to be driven by the desire to make each dream instrument right for each dreamer. He listened to my ideas and merged them with his own; the result is exactly what I'd hoped for. He has handled communications with clarity and maturity, and does business with integrity. The ability to provide great customer service is rare these days, in general, and not something I take for granted. I have learned that the process of ordering a custom-made instrument requires the customer to really place a lot of trust in the builder. I can say with confidence that Brian is well worthy of that trust. Brian has a bright future in luthiery; good news for all of us players and appreciators of fine instruments!!

Karen Escovitz

Philadelphia, PA

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I wanted to write you again and let you know how much I am enjoying the mandolin! In the two weeks since I received it, I have played it pretty constantly, and it has really woken up! It has developed a very profound and distinctive voice (or perhaps I am finally learning the way it likes to be played) that is really very emotionally satisfying. I'm developing a very organic relationship with this mandolin-- so much so that a few days ago, a simple practice session turned into literally hours of playing, with little awareness of time going by. I suspect you built a little magic into this mandolin, as it has the power to transport!

Rich Mesch

Pennsylvania

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"The mandolin sounds great. It has a clear, sweet tone. I haven't played my other mandolin since I received yours because it doesn't sound nearly as good or loud. It may be a celtic mandolin, but I use it for everything at the moment - until you build me an F5 or bowlback ;)

It's a beautiful instrument. I showed it off to my coworkers and received several compliments. The inlays and carving look great. Your idea of incorporating the violin edges with an external graduation and induced arch gives it a fantastic look. The tailpiece is simple and elegant, without any buzzing cover. And I love those wooden buttons. Your feedback to my ideas melded with your creativity and obvious skill to create a fine instrument that I plan on keeping for as long as I play the mandolin.

Jason Nagati

Irving, TX

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Brian, you've done it again! I can't believe the sound of this instrument! I loved the pictures as you sent them, but EVERYthing is better in person!! Everyone in my family has commented on the beauty, the workmanship, and the sweet sound of this octave mandolin. It is so much more than I expected, I can't thank you enough! It was SO worth the money AND the very reasonable wait to get this thing in my arms! Last night I was playing along with my Tim O'Brien DVD. His octave has NOTHING on mine! The way this mandolin sounds after a couple of weeks, I can't wait to hear it in a YEAR! You're the MAN, Brian!!!!

Mike Buesseler

Montana

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I can't believe how beautifully the mandola turned out! I love everything about it. Firstly, it is the most beautiful instrument I have ever seen. I really mean that. You did such a fine job on everything. The mandola sings across its entire range and doesn't lose any volume in the upper registers. And the neck is incredibly smooth, the string spacing and scale are perfect for me... I can't thank you enough!

Haidar al-Dhalimy

Oregon

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I'm the proud owner of this new bowl-backed-beauty and just couldn't be happier. Brian worked with me at every stage and contributed fabulous ideas, garnished from all the research he did prior to beginning construction. The result is a mandolin far and away more beautiful than any I could have envisaged on my own. She's light, perfectly balanced, has great action and gorgeous tone. She's a delight to play and I just can't keep from showing her off to everyone I know. Due to the unique shape, none of Brian's traditional cases were going to work. So, prior to shipping her off to me he made probably the best gig bag I've ever had. It's attractive, sturdy and would repel a flood. If you're having him make you the mando of your dreams, ask for a gig bag as well. It's worth the extra little expense.

Jennifer Murphy

San Jacinto, California