Austin’s carbon footprint briefly escalates (Summer NAMM, part two)

July 30th, 2007

Carbon fiber guitars and mandolins may still seem like gimmicks to most musicians but, as this Composite Acoustics display proved, they certainly do hold up nicely in inclement weather. This guitar had water pouring on it from a shower head during the entire show but all you had to do was pick it up, wipe down the neck and it played fine. They also had a Katrina surviving-guitar that held up remarkably well.

Peter Mix at New Millenium Acoustic Design (NewMAD) mandolins didn’t have any elaborate water shows at his booth, but he did have a great looking (and sounding) F-style carbon fiber mandolin to show off. Mix claimed that doing elaborate scroll work in carbon fiber was no easy feat, but he’s finally happy with the finished product (he’s been showing off his A-style carbon fiber mandolin for about a year now). Mix is also starting to experiment with layers of colored Kevlar on his instruments, allowing him to produce red carbon fiber instruments in addition to the more familiar gray.-JV

Entry Filed under: Mandolin, Guitar, Summer NAMM 2007