Carbon Fiber Mandolins by NewMAD
Carbon fibers mandolins by New Millennium Acoustic Design, aka New-MAD, are the result of a collaboration between Peter Mix, Will Kimble and Matt Dunham that brings with it decades of devotion to mandolin-family instruments and their construction coupled with state-of-the-art carbon fiber fabrication processes. In essence, our aim was to wrap carbon fiber, an extraordinary material that is uneffected by temperature and humidity and has tonal characteristics similar to fine tonewoods, around proven sound chambers.
Lloyd Loar's pioneering work in the 1920's resulted in the A5 and F5 mandolins, the instruments that are the gold standard among mandolin players world-wide. It is these magnificent instruments as translated into carbon fiber that we build. Mix A5 and F5 mandolins along with their oval-hole mates the A4 and F4 are superb and beautiful instruments that play like silk and sound wonderful with great power, tonal complexity, sustain and warmth. They are also works of art.
Carbon fiber is exceptionally strong, lightweight and durable. It does not absorb moisture or dry out and it is not effected by temperature extremes. This alone makes it a great material for stringed instruments which are generally very delicate and tend to suffer from extremes of temperature and humidity. The fact that carbon fiber is considerably stronger than steel is yet another attractive feature.
Carbon fiber's exceptional tonal characteristics are another significant advantage producing low end richness and sustain which are wonderful, trebles that are brilliant and full-bodied as well as excellent balance across the instrument's range. Volume is simply amazing.
Last but not least is the beauty and elegance of carbon fiber. In its natural black/gray weave, it's very striking and has an art-deco look that is quite stunning. Optional weaves are available as well: yellow/black, blue/black, red/black and green/black. We also offer burgundy, blue and green bursts and are always experimenting with colors.
Mix mandolins by NewMAD feature an ebony fingerboard with 12" radius and 13 7/8" scale length , ebony Loar-style bridge, James custom-engraved tailpiece and Grover tuners. Options include Schertler CDyn internally-mounted contact microphones for the very best amplified voice you can find, Waverly tuners and ebony pickguards. A4's and A5's start at $3500 and F4's and F5's start at $5990. All Mix mandolins come in a hardshell case.
We believe you'll be amazed and delighted by these instruments when you play one. We are very proud to have been awarded Best of Show at the Austin NAMM show in July 2007. As one Mix A5 owner said, "Now my beach mandolin is my best mandolin".
Please contact us for more information.
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New Millennium Acoustic Design
PO Box 9
978 Oakes Road
Waterville VT 05492
info@new-mad.com
802-644-5607
Related Links
JazzMando.com Review
of the Mix A5 by Tedd Eschliman
Clear Carbon & Components
Kimble Mandolins
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