Mandolin Models, Pricing, and Options

High Desert Mandolins is committed to bringing quality, variety, and accessibility to the player.I offer three appointment levels, two body and peghead shapes, countless wood and trim variations and several tone bar configurations. These instruments are designed to provide you, the player, with the options to build the instrument that suits your needs the best. From no-frills to no-limits, I know you will find something to get your blood pumping.

Body Shapes

I offer two shapes: The "A" and the "J".

• The "A" is familiar to most, your standard teardrop mandolin. With a sublime rounded shape and traditional "f" holes, the "A" comes with my crowned snakehead headstock.

• The "J" is an original design based around the dimensions of the traditional American mandolin we all know and love. I wanted to provide players with a modern alternative to the old standby and prove that the sound you want can come in another package. I sincerely hope those of you who are looking for the best sound, playability and quality will give my mandolins a listen! The "J" comes standard with my original flared headstock shape, accommodating F-style tuners.

Open your ears and your hearts will follow.

The High Desert Mandolin Family

• Magma Series

  Red-hot and dangerous, the Magma series mandolins are the molten basalt that forms the High Desert Mandolin family.

  Magmas feature few embellishments, but the same choice woods, attention to detail and meticulous craftsmanship offered in my upscale mandolins. The sound of these instruments isnÕt compromised one bit! These mandolins are unbound, in blonde (burst is available for a reasonable up-charge), adorned with pearl dots and the "HD" headstock logo. As well as ebony fingerboard, bridge, and unbound peg head. All magma mandolins are finished in satin lacquer.

  Magma starting price:
  "A" $1299
  "J" $1499

• Obsidian Series

  Obsidian is natural glass that was originally molten magma spewing from a volcano. Once hardened, obsidian can be clear and sharper than even the most honed surgical steel. Local Oregon natives used this natural glass to forge the tools of war and survival.

  Likewise, my Obsidian series of instruments are an extension of the Magma line, smooth as glass and ringing clear and sweet. I fashion the tools of your trade. The Obsidian comes with a high gloss lacquer finish, bound body- top and back and high flamed maple, or flamed Oregon myrtlewood (blonde only) for neck, back and sides. A select sitka spruce top is standard. Ebony fingerboard, peg head, bridge, and pearl or abalone dots as well as the "HD Mandolins" Inlay hone our Obsidian to a refined tool.

  Obsidian series starts at:
  "A" $2249
  "J" $2549

• Sunstone Series

  Sunstones were formed and crystallized in the lava flows of eastern Oregon. As the lava weathers away or is broken up the crystals are released and left in the open to be found by the lucky or persistent few. For many years, gem collectors have prized the sunstone. Originally thought only to be found in the orient, this rare gem has now been found in Central Oregon.

  The Sunstone series represents the best I have to offer. A total realization of my Magma and Obsidian mandolins, the Sunstone is the crown jewel of High Desert Mandolins.

  Wood or iveriod binding and full purflings adorn these instruments. Stunning sunbursts highlight the mesmerizing figure in the AAAA grade maple. Our sunstone mandolins are built with the finest master grade tonewoods. All the tops used on these mandolins have been air-dried for a number of years. I still have a few sitka tops as old as 25 years! I take great care in selecting high quality and properly dried lumber to mill into perfect sets to be put aside until the time is right to bring forth your sunstone. High gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish, intricate fret markers and abalone inlays are standard.

  Sunstone starting price:
  "A" $3949
  "J" $4349

Please contact me today at jason@highdesertmandolins.com to learn about the beautiful custom mandolin or guitar I can build for you.

*All base prices are blonde instruments only, for a sunburst add $200