Posted on July 23, 2026July 23, 2026 by Dale Phillips The Mandolin Family: Traditional and Contemporary Perspectives The Mandolin Family: Traditional and Contemporary Perspectives by David Cohen, Don MacRostie, Lawrence Smart, and moderator Jeffrey Elliott from their 2011 GAL Convention panel discussion Originally published in American Lutherie #114, 2013 Jeff Elliott: I’d like to introduce our distinguished panelists. Dave Cohen built his first mandolin in 1974, and with his long-time interest in woodworking and his background teaching college chemistry, perhaps it’s no surprise that he has a science-based approach to mandolin building, and has focused on researching the physics of the mandolin family. You can read about his findings in several places, including our own American Lutherie journal, the publications of Northern Illinois University, and in a new book entitled The Science of String Instruments, edited by Thomas Rossing. Lawrence Smart is known for redesigning the mandolin to meet the demands of contemporary players, and for designing a mandolin quartet which works especially well together both tonally and aesthetically. You can read Lawrence’s comprehensive article on his building philosophy and design considerations in AL#56 (Big Red Book of American Lutherie Volume Five). Don MacRostie wears two hats: as a product designer for Stewart-MacDonald and as the maker of his well-known Red Diamond mandolins. For many years he has studied traditional, historic mandolins, and more recently has focused on the iconic Gibson Lloyd Loar F model. Don has also taught mandolin making for many years, and a few years ago shared his method with the rest of us in a five-part series by Peggy Stuart in AL#75–AL#79. Now, by way of further introduction and to get things started, I’m going to ask the same fundamental question of each panelist: Gentlemen, what is the mandolin? Become A Member to Continue Reading This Article This article is part of the Articles Online featured on our website for Guild members. To view this and other web articles, join the Guild of American Luthiers. For details, visit the membership page. MEMBERS: login for access or contact us to setup your account.
Posted on February 23, 2026February 23, 2026 by Dale Phillips Meet the Maker: David Cohen Meet the Maker: David Cohen by Roger Alan Skipper Originally published in American Lutherie #99, 2009 DR. Dave Cohen, of Cohen Musical Instruments, crafts guitars, mandolins, mandolas, octaves, and mandocellos in Richmond, Virginia. During a sabbatical from the chemistry classroom, Dave seized the opportunity to study the mandolin’s vibrational properties with Dr. Thomas Rossing at Northern Illinois University. From this and other studies he has produced a number of lectures and publications to complement his instruments. Dave, your website mentions a “lifelong interest in science, woodworking, and stringed instruments.” What kinds of woodworking did you do prior to lutherie? My grandfather was a carpenter, and my dad was a civil engineer. Dad knew I’d value something I made more than something I bought, so as a kid, I was always making things with my dad, using my grandfather’s tools. Between the early ’70s and the mid-’90s, I built furniture, mostly casework, that was strongly influenced by James Krenov and Sam Maloof. They still influence my stringed-instrument design. Lutherie is woodworking. Lutherie, though, integrates my background in science and mathematics, and music. I love that part of it. If lutherie were simply reproducing the instruments of the past, I doubt that I would have made more than a few instruments. Become A Member to Continue Reading This Article This article is part of the Articles Online featured on our website for Guild members. To view this and other web articles, join the Guild of American Luthiers. For details, visit the membership page. MEMBERS: login for access or contact us to setup your account.
Posted on January 11, 2010May 29, 2025 by Dale Phillips Letter: Replying to Keith Hill’s Opinion Column Letter: Replying to Keith Hill's Opinion Column by David J. Cohen, Ph.D. Originally published in American Lutherie #64, 2000 Dear Tim: I’m led to wonder at the origin of some of Keith Hill’s ideas in his Opinion column in AL#63. In his first paragraph, he divided practitioners of lutherie and other crafts into those who love the craft — “good guys” — and those who love being involved in the craft — “bad guys.” I think such questioning of motives is divisive. If I was put off by his first paragraph, his third and sixth paragraphs got to me personally. As a lifelong chemist, chemical educator, and avocational aficionado of musical acoustics and lutherie, I did take umbrage at his labeling of acoustical physics as “pseudo-science.” So I want to be careful not to attack him personally. He expressed his opinion well. I think his opinion deserves a response that is considered and not angry. Become A Member to Continue Reading This Article This article is part of our premium web content offered to Guild members. To view this and other web articles, join the Guild of American Luthiers. Members also receive 4 annual issues of American Lutherie and get discounts on products. For details, visit the membership page. If you are already a member, login for access or contact us to setup your account.
