Applying Modern Engineering Techniques To
Traditional Stringed Instruments
I’ve been building stringed instruments in my 400-sqft shop, located in the Washington Cascade foothills just east of Renton, Washington since 2008. My goal is to build traditionally styled instruments from the mandolin family for the accomplished musician. The traditional mandolins are based on the Gibson Loar era F5 & A5 original designs and built with only the highest quality materials and hardware and utilizing innovative engineering and construction techniques. In addition to traditional designs, I also build custom stringed instruments ranging from Octave Mandolins (based on the Gibson L5 Guitar body style) to Acoustic Double Basses.
Highest Quality Materials
Alaskan Sitka, Bearclaw Figure Spruce, Engelmann or Red Spruce, Redwood or Cedar sound boards. Ebony and Rosewood Neck, Fretboard & Bridge woods …
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Innovative Engineering
Acoustic Tuning of the soundboard and backboard plats. Modification of the Fret Scale along with string compensation to provide perfect intonation over the …
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Customers Loyalty
“Sometimes you choose the mandolin and sometimes the mandolin chooses you. After dancing together for three years at Wintergrass, I was finally able to…”
Read MoreReviews From Artists Like You
“An Unrelated Brotherhood”
Gary’s work ethic is incredible and it’s always shown in his builds. My A-5, “Gus”, has been put through the test and it’s always surpassed my expectations. It’s angry at the world and I love it. There’s an intensity to this mandolin that I haven’t found in any other mandolin. It’s a little A model, but it’s not afraid of anything. From volume to chop, from clarity to sustain, all the right ingredients are there in this mandolin. Not the overlook the wood selection of the highest quality. Plus, it’s got a great name on the peghead!
CJ Lewandowski
Po’ Ramblin’ Boys Mandolist01 / 10
“The Chosen One”
Sometimes you choose the mandolin and sometimes the mandolin chooses you. After dancing together for three years at Wintergrass, I was finally able to take this beauty home with me. She sings sweeter than I’ll ever be able to play.
Peter Braccio
Artist/Musician02 / 10
“Keeps Getting Better”
Grace loves her new A style O hole Mandolin. It sounds better each time she plays it while the wood ages. Gary did a great job working with me getting the custom inlay done on the headstock. We have not seen anything available with the same quality and workmanship.
Joel R.
Artist/Musician03 / 10
“An Undiscovered Master”
I could not be happier with the one-of-a-kind, beautifully resonant custom mandolin that Gary crafted for me. Impeccable workmanship, state-of-the-art design and technology, and a full, bright sound—all at a price less than I was prepared to pay for a vintage Gibson instrument. And Gary was a delight to work with. If you want a great custom mandolin, you should talk to Gary, but you’d better hurry before he gets discovered and his queue gets maxed out!
Kevin H.
Artist/Musician04 / 10
“The Search Stops Now”
I am still playing my Cedar Mountain Mandolin and I love it. With the V shaped neck, it is easy for me to play. I get many compliments on the great tone and beautiful wood. People frequently ask me who made it and where I got it. I don’t have any plans to look for another mandolin because I love this one and will keep on playing it.
Alison G.
Artist/Musician05 / 10
"Emma's Field Trip"
My daughter Emma has played the violin for many years, now the mandolin, sings in a number of choirs and plays other instruments. She was introduced to Gary when she was a sophomore in high school. Gary took her into his shop showed Emma how he makes his magical instruments. Emma had no idea what to expect and spent a half day learning by watching many of the steps Gary goes through to create his amazing Mandolin’s. Emma had sample pieces of his mandolins from the workshop that she took to her Music class and described what she had learned from Gary. She and I both thank Gary for his time and generosity as well the opportunity to play this special handmade mandolin.
Paul S.
06 / 10
"Gimme One of Each!"
I am privileged to own 3 Lewandowksi instruments, an F-5, A,-5 and Octave Mandolin. The first thing you notice is how aesthetically beautiful they are. The craftsmanship is stunning. They all play like a dream and have their own unique sound. I have handed them to many famous professional players to play and they all react by saying how well they play and how great they sound. Every time I play a new batch of Gary's instruments, I think how can they keep getting better, but they do. More importantly Gary stands behind his instruments and is easy to work with if want to customize anything. I love my Lewandowski's.
Bob Phillips
Composer, Pedagogue, Clinician07 / 10
"Love At First Strum"
I've got an A style with a Redwood top that I bought after playing it for about 10 minutes. I wasn't really in the market for a new Mando but this one immediately hooked me. The sound was woody, loud and played beautifully. Love the sound, Love the look, Love the workmanship. Thanks Gary
Kevin D.
Artist/Musician08 / 10
"Coming Out Swinging"
I own a mandolin from Cedar Mountain Mandolin Company and though I am a beginner mandolin player I love the way the mandolin plays and feels. It looks like a piece of art and I have been told, by people in the know, that the sound of my mandolin is beautiful.
Cathy F.
Artist/Musician09 / 10
"The Magic Touch"
I have first run #7 mandolin and #2 Octave Mandolin, (Thanks, Gary!) and it's remarkable how beautiful and how amazing these instruments came out, right off the bat. Gary is a brilliant engineer and has a magic touch with instruments. The Octave has such a rich, warm, full sound. They bring me joy- and we all need a little (or lot) of that in our lives.
Jake W.
Wiretappers10 / 10
Send Us Your Thoughts
and Let's Get Started
To start the order process, we’ll discuss what you’re looking for in an instrument. Once we agree upon the specifications, price, and a delivery time frame, we’ll need a refundable $500 deposit before work begins on your instrument.
I generally try to keep a couple of instruments for demo purposes, and if you’re located in the Pacific Northwest, I can work with you to try one out. Other arrangements can also be made to ship you a demo model to try out yourself before making a final decision.
Throughout the building process, we will keep you updated so you can see your instrument as it’s built. Final payment is due before shipment and you have 30 days and decide that it’s your perfect mandolin.
If for any reason you’re not completely satisfied, we will work with you to make any reasonable modifications or you can return it, in original condition with the case, for a full refund.
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