Mandolin Luthier

Brad Van Loenen, Luthier

While cutting Engelmann Spruce for a log home he was building in Dolores County, Brad’s father would comment to him, “There are 2,000 violin bellies in that tree!” This fine source of Southwestern Colorado high-elevation Engelmann Spruce was the inspiration to begin building mandolins. Brad’s father, Rich, continues to be the Main Spruce Hunter and Tool Modification Expert, and prepares the rough stock from which the mandolins are built.

Brad began building mandolins in 2002, in a workshop at the top of an old, woodstove-heated barn. No CNC or computer-aided tools are used. Brad is a self-taught Luthier who realized immediately that only experience and being in a constant state of evolution would produce the highest-quality instruments.

Brad earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Music Performance at the University of Colorado at Denver, and has played bass professionally for over twenty years. He discovered a love for the mandolin in 1991.