Making instruments is a deep and rewarding involvement in music. From choosing and carving the tonewoods to executing details and fine-tuning the setup, I strive to build in musical potential to be unlocked in the hands of skilled players. I draw my inspiration from the classical Italian violinmaking tradition, my training, and personal exploration and study of modern lutherie. I create instruments which are powerfully voiced, yet transparent to the will and skill of the player. I've chosen to honor my maternal grandfather and namesake, Joseph Campanella, a craftsman and mandolinist, with my instruments. Please contact me with any questions or to find out how to acquire your own "little bell".
10/15/2008
This spring I made an archtop guitar using the violin-style construction methods. The model is a compact guitar--15" lower bout, which delivers a quick attack and punch with great sustain. The smaller size makes it very comfortable to play, and I daresay I want to make one for myself. This model would also work for a guitar-form mandocello--but more on the mando family later... Until I... More...
2/15/2008
I'm making a new carving plane, with inspiration and encouragement from my friend Andy Homan. It's a small (hand sized) scrub plane, to be shaped with a curved sole and radiused iron (1/4" thick!) for the big carving jobs, like roughing out the arch on a mandolin, cello or guitar. The wood is white ash, from Shelburne Farm which has a sustainable forestry program. I've also... More...
2/12/2008
Welcome to my new website, I'm very excited about finally having a web presence to fully represent my instruments, especially in terms of musical content. Please leave comments here in the blog or contact me directly to give me feedback on the site and how it functions for you. In the shop I'm currently working on a new archtop guitar in the Campanella/violin style, as well as a... More...
In order present my instruments as completely as possible, I've included audio samples of all of the models, with others to be added as they are recorded. The files have been compressed to MP3 at 192kbps (high resolution) for quick loading with minimum of quality loss.
Press Play (>) to hear or pause the selected track, which reset automatically. Try listening to a track while browsing the photos of the featured instrument, for the full experience.
Here, enjoy Mamavig: Jamie Masefield, Guy Mazzaroppi, and Frank Vignola, featuring a 2005 Campanella F-Model mandolin played by Jamie. Also, a solo sample from Jamie and several by myself. Please visit Mamavig to purchase the full-length cd. More audio samples are available on the specific instruments pages. The Audio Index page features all of the music on the site in one place.
Instrument Pages:
2007 A Mandolin, bluegrass break (JCC)
2005 F Mandolin, Salad and Doughnuts (Mamavig)
2006 F Mandolin, Evening Prayer Blues (JCC)
2005 F Mandolin, Oh Shenandoah (J. Masefield)
All content ©2008 Campanella Strings
