Mando Mo Strings is a company in Holyoke, MA, the birthplace of American Industry, that has developed a line of affordable musical instruments made with top quality materials and workmanship. These instruments are on par or better than similar brands, such as Eastman, TDK, The Loar and Northfield. The instruments are designed in Holyoke, Massachusetts, assembled in China, and finished/set up in the US.
Here's a post I wrote in 2018. Some of the text is a little dated. If you would like to try any of the instruments, please contact me to set up a time. Due to Covid19, restrictions apply.
Mando Mo Strings is a company in Holyoke, MA, the birthplace of American Industry, that has developed a line of affordable musical instruments made with top quality materials and workmanship. These instruments are on par or better than similar brands, such as Eastman, TDK, The Loar and Northfield. The instruments are designed in Holyoke, Massachusetts, assembled in China, and finished/set up in the US.
Here's a post I wrote in 2018. Some of the text is a little dated. If you would like to try any of the instruments, please contact me to set up a time. Due to Covid19, restrictions apply.
A vote was cast, and the string sextet formerly known as the South Hadley Mandolin Orchestra is now permanently named the Sweet Mandolin Ensemble (SME)!
We apologize for any confusion. To explain, the group has gone through many changes as Adam Sweet has also moved his studio several times in the past six years. But now that he's at his permanent location in Granby, it makes sense to make the name permanent as well.
Several names were put up to the vote:
If It Ain't Baroque - (by Keith H.), got several votes mostly for it's entertaining aspect
Dolce Ensemble - (by Mieko C.), got several votes
Sweet Mandolin Ensemble - (by Nancy K.), ultimately got the most votes
Mandolin New England - (by Will M.), is currently being used by the group comprised of area colleagues and members of Joshua Bell's L'Esperance Ensemble. Even though we all liked it, it would be confusing to have both.
There were other suggestions that didn't get into the running, so I'll not mention them here.
To celebrate the name change and Adam's new (and final) studio location, the ensemble will be performing the World's Premiere Performance of the Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 for 2 Mandolas by a mandolin ensemble, AND Mozart's Dissonance Quartet at Porter Phelps Museum in Hadley, Mass. on Sunday, July 28 at 2:30pm.
Adam Sweet playing "The Whale" by Mando Mo Strings
The Ensemble will be performing on several Mando Mo Strings instruments including "The Whale", a hand-carved F5-style Mandocello.
Mando Mo Strings is a company in Holyoke, MA, the birthplace of American Industry, that has developed a line of affordable musical instruments made with top quality materials and workmanship. These instruments are on par or better than similar brands, such as Eastman, TDK, The Loar and Northfield. The instruments are designed in Holyoke, Massachusetts, assembled in China, and finished/set up in the US. Mando Mo Strings offers a 30 year warranty on parts and labor for all products.
Decisions were made to prioritize air-dried tone-wood (instead of the standard Chinese practice of using a kiln to dry the wood), solid or flamed maple, Triple A grade ebony or rosewood fittings, scalloped solid tailpieces, Brekke or MMS's patented solid ebony/bone bridges, adjustable truss rods, a variety of neck widths.
Mando Mo Strings was founded by Al Bielunis. Al is an amateur mandolinist, a guitar player, and a student of mine. I learned about his mandolin company a few years ago when he was just getting started. At the time, I made some suggestions and helped him with a website and Facebook page in exchange for some projects at my house (I love barter, by the way. If you have a skill please let me know. I'm always up for bartering. For example, a lawyer student bartered a house closing in '09 for a couple of months of lessons, a kitchen-design manager bartered a new dishwasher for lessons and an electrician wired my chicken coop in exchange for services). Fast forward to 2018 and I find myself completely engaged in the company. It's really wonderful to be able to offer my experience working with China and importing products with a local company. I find it very satisfactory. In addition, I have the opportunity to play these beautiful instruments!
Al stopped by my studio in the summer of 2018. I recorded this video of his visit:
The Bull Dog
This is the top of the line F5 model mandolin. Al calls it The Bull Dog because of his own pup whom he named the company after: Mo. The mandolin is beautiful to look at with its hand-carved top, scroll and its binding, "tobacco" finish. This model is very popular with the bluegrass group.
The Bull Dog - Bluegrass Mandolin
The Bull Dog has been constructed with a hand-carved solid spruce top, flamed maple back and sides, flamed maple neck, pearl inlay fret markers, pearl inlay Mando Mo Logo, ebony binding, nut width standard 1 1/8" or wide nut version 1 3/16", bone nut, tobacco finish, adjustable bridge, adjustable truss rod. The instrument was hand-carved and constructed with air-dried (3-5 years) tonewood, top tap-tuned to A440 frequency.
Here's a video I made of the Bull Dog
The Tortoise
A few years ago, the company that assembles Mandomo products made a binding suggestion that Al liked: faux tortoiseshell. Now for those of you who don't know, tortoiseshell is illegal here in the United States. I own a tortoiseshell pick that I got back in the 1970s when it was legal. I love it. It's gorgeous to look at and warms up when you hold it in your hand. This tortoiseshell binding is simply lovely. It makes the instrument stand out and look unique. The binding goes around the top AND back, something that most Eastman mandolins do not, for example. This is a bluegrass mandolin, meaning it has the chop, projection and bright sound you'd expect from an F5 mandolin.
The Tortoise - Bluegrass Mandolin
The Tortoise has been constructed with flamed maple back, sides and neck, solid spruce top, Brekke adjustable bridge, high quality Optima strings imported from Germany, Tusq Nut, 18:1 Tuners. Top Tap Tuned to A440 Frequency.
Here's what one of the customers says about it: "The mandolin was everything I asked for. Beautiful maple sides and back. The inlays on the fretboard and headstock and binding were solid and clean. The mandolin is very well made, I had no issues with any of the craftsmanship of the instrument. I am sure you would be pleased with your purchase." ~ Greg Short, Brinkhaven, OH Here's a video I made of the Tortoise:
The Red Fox
This latest F5-style mandolin is gorgeous to look at, and has a beautiful well-rounded tone with a lot of projection. A group of Celtic mandolin players loved the way it sounds recently, suggesting it would make a wonderful addition to any traditional Celtic or Classical ensemble.
The Red Fox - Celtic Mandolin
"I just love the tone of this instrument. I play mostly Celtic music and so I want something with a sweet gentle tone, not a big brassy "barky" sound. " ~ Deb N., South Hadley MA
Each Red Fox comes with: Mahogany back, sides and neck, solid Sitka spruce top, Rosewood fretboard, nickel silver hardware, standard 1 1/8" bone nut (other sizes are available by special order, please ask), adjustable ebony bridge, 13 7/8" scale length, abalone headstock Mando Mo logo, Pearl snow flake dots, white side dot color, natural satin or gloss nitro finish (please ask). The instrument was hand-carved and constructed with air-dried (3-5 years) tonewood, top tap-tuned to A440 frequency.
Here's a video I made about the Red Fox
Other mandolins, guitars and ukuleles:
Mandomo Strings makes a few other styles of mandolins, guitars and ukuleles. I can't list them all here because there are so many.
If you want to try any of the instruments and you're local (Massachusetts), please let me know and we can set up a date/time. I'm always around and happy to share them with you!
Mando Mo Strings is a company in Holyoke, MA, the birthplace of American Industry, that has developed a line of affordable musical instruments made with top quality materials and workmanship. These instruments are on par or better than similar brands, such as Eastman, TDK, The Loar and Northfield. The instruments are designed in Holyoke, Massachusetts, assembled in China, and finished/set up in the US. Mando Mo Strings offers a 30 year warranty on parts and labor for all products.
Decisions were made to prioritize air-dried tone-wood (instead of the standard Chinese practice of using a kiln to dry the wood), solid or flamed maple, Triple A grade ebony or rosewood fittings, scalloped solid tailpieces, Brekke or MMS's patented solid ebony/bone bridges, adjustable truss rods, a variety of neck widths.
Mando Mo Strings was founded by Al Bielunis. Al is an amateur mandolinist, a guitar player, and a student of mine. I learned about his mandolin company a few years ago when he was just getting started. At the time, I made some suggestions and helped him with a website and Facebook page in exchange for some projects at my house (I love barter, by the way. If you have a skill please let me know. I'm always up for bartering. For example, a lawyer student bartered a house closing in '09 for a couple of months of lessons, a kitchen-design manager bartered a new dishwasher for lessons and an electrician wired my chicken coop in exchange for services). Fast forward to 2018 and I find myself completely engaged in the company. It's really wonderful to be able to offer my experience working with China and importing products with a local company. I find it very satisfactory. In addition, I have the opportunity to play these beautiful instruments!
Al stopped by my studio in the summer of 2018. I recorded this video of his visit:
The Bull Dog
This is the top of the line F5 model mandolin. Al calls it The Bull Dog because of his own pup whom he named the company after: Mo. The mandolin is beautiful to look at with its hand-carved top, scroll and its binding, "tobacco" finish. This model is very popular with the bluegrass group.
The Bull Dog - Bluegrass Mandolin
The Bull Dog has been constructed with a hand-carved solid spruce top, flamed maple back and sides, flamed maple neck, pearl inlay fret markers, pearl inlay Mando Mo Logo, ebony binding, nut width standard 1 1/8" or wide nut version 1 3/16", bone nut, tobacco finish, adjustable bridge, adjustable truss rod. The instrument was hand-carved and constructed with air-dried (3-5 years) tonewood, top tap-tuned to A440 frequency.
Here's a video I made of the Bull Dog
The Tortoise
A few years ago, the company that assembles Mandomo products made a binding suggestion that Al liked: faux tortoiseshell. Now for those of you who don't know, tortoiseshell is illegal here in the United States. I own a tortoiseshell pick that I got back in the 1970s when it was legal. I love it. It's gorgeous to look at and warms up when you hold it in your hand. This tortoiseshell binding is simply lovely. It makes the instrument stand out and look unique. The binding goes around the top AND back, something that most Eastman mandolins do not, for example. This is a bluegrass mandolin, meaning it has the chop, projection and bright sound you'd expect from an F5 mandolin.
The Tortoise - Bluegrass Mandolin
The Tortoise has been constructed with flamed maple back, sides and neck, solid spruce top, Brekke adjustable bridge, high quality Optima strings imported from Germany, Tusq Nut, 18:1 Tuners. Top Tap Tuned to A440 Frequency.
Here's what one of the customers says about it: "The mandolin was everything I asked for. Beautiful maple sides and back. The inlays on the fretboard and headstock and binding were solid and clean. The mandolin is very well made, I had no issues with any of the craftsmanship of the instrument. I am sure you would be pleased with your purchase." ~ Greg Short, Brinkhaven, OH Here's a video I made of the Tortoise:
The Red Fox
This latest F5-style mandolin is gorgeous to look at, and has a beautiful well-rounded tone with a lot of projection. A group of Celtic mandolin players loved the way it sounds recently, suggesting it would make a wonderful addition to any traditional Celtic or Classical ensemble.
The Red Fox - Celtic Mandolin
"I just love the tone of this instrument. I play mostly Celtic music and so I want something with a sweet gentle tone, not a big brassy "barky" sound. " ~ Deb N., South Hadley MA
Each Red Fox comes with: Mahogany back, sides and neck, solid Sitka spruce top, Rosewood fretboard, nickel silver hardware, standard 1 1/8" bone nut (other sizes are available by special order, please ask), adjustable ebony bridge, 13 7/8" scale length, abalone headstock Mando Mo logo, Pearl snow flake dots, white side dot color, natural satin or gloss nitro finish (please ask). The instrument was hand-carved and constructed with air-dried (3-5 years) tonewood, top tap-tuned to A440 frequency.
Here's a video I made about the Red Fox
Other mandolins, guitars and ukuleles:
Mandomo Strings makes a few other styles of mandolins, guitars and ukuleles. I can't list them all here because there are so many.
If you want to try any of the instruments and you're local (Massachusetts), please let me know and we can set up a date/time. I'm always around and happy to share them with you!
Mando Mo Strings is a company in Holyoke, MA that has developed a line of affordable musical instruments made with top quality materials and workmanship. These instruments are on par or better than similar brands including carved top Mandolins by Eastman, flat top Mandolins by Big Muddy and Ukeleles by Mahalo. Decisions were made to prioritize air-dried tone-wood (instead of the standard Chinese practice of using a kiln to dry the wood), solid or flamed maple, Triple A grade ebony or rosewood fittings, scalloped solid tailpieces, Brekke or MMS's patented solid ebony/bone bridges, adjustable truss rods, a variety of neck widths. The instruments are designed in Holyoke, Massachusetts, constructed in China, and finished/set up in the US.
Al Bieulunis, the owner of Mando Mo Strings, doesn't have a place where people can come see the instruments as they are in his house and he's not set up to receive people properly. To that end, as a favor to Al, you can set up a time with me to come see and play the instruments at my studio in Granby. The best times are mornings M-F after 9am. Please use the form on the sidebar to contact me and give me a few options so I can check my schedule.
I will also play the instruments for you online if you like. Let me know if that works for you!
The Pup deluxe - travel mandolin by Mando Mo Strings
$425.00 instrument$475.00 w/hard shell case$500.00 w/shipping I take PayPal. Simply send the amount to sweetmusic@protonmail.com make sure your SHIPPING address is included (not your billing address) so I send it to the right place. I ship via FedEx Ground. You can also pick one up at my studio in Granby, MA. Use the Contact form on the sidebar to let me know what you'd like to do.
The Pup has a big, brassy sound for a puppy-sized instrument. Slightly smaller body makes this infinitely portable, standard-length neck and fretboard with wide and extra-wide widths mean the Pup is infinitely playable by any size hand (from children up to adults with big hands). Adam plays one in Mandolin New England. Check the events schedule to see when he's playing next so you can try it out! The Pup Deluxe comes with:
Neck Material: Maple
Fingerboard: Ebony
Hardware Color: Silver
Nut: Bone 1 1/8" (Standard Neck)
Bridge: Mando Mo Style Ebony with Bone Saddle
Scale Length:13 7/8"
Body Style: Tear Drop
Body Dimensions: 23 7/8" x 9.5" x 1 15/16"
Body Top: Solid Sitka Spruce 1A (Air Dried 3-5 Years)
Body Back/Sides: Solid Flamed Maple 1A (Air Dried 3-5 Years)
