Heiden Heritage Model Model Carved Top Mandolin (2007), made in Chilliwack, B.C. Canada, serial # F 98, brown varnish finish, figured maple back, sides and neck, Ancient red spruce top, ebony fingerboard, Original Molded Fiberglass Calton Road case.
While perhaps not as well known as Stephen Gilchrist, Michael Heiden is one of the finest contemporary mandolin (and guitar) builders, regularly turning out a very small number of individually handmade world class instruments. Heiden has been building fretted instruments in British Columbia for more than 40 years, but has focused more heavily on mandolins for the last couple of decades.
Built in 2007, this "Heritage" is a limited edition instrument Heiden crafted using "ancient" red spruce sourced from an old barn in North Carolina for the top. It generally follows the vintage F-5 template with some tweaks including a just slightly narrower body than the typical Gibson and a just a wee bit shorter scale neck. This gives the instrument a very supple feel and offers enhanced, super friendly playability. The aged Adirondack spruce top is joined to a highly figured maple back, sides and neck with a premium ebony fingerboard. The back is carved from a single piece of beautifully burled maple. Instead of the traditional sunburst the entire instrument carries a dark amber varnish, double-bound on all edges with a black outer layer giving it a somewhat subtle mysterious vibe.
Heiden says of his mandolins: "Only aged tone wood is used and carved to the optimum weight and stiffness, paying particular attention to the graduation or thickness of the top and back plates and the tone bars, resulting in a new instrument that is balanced, resonant and has great volume. Heiden mandolins are the result of a genuine interest in making the most responsive, "player friendly" instruments available." This is the first of his creations we have had the pleasure to offer; it is a truly splendid modern F-5 with its own spin on this classic design and offers superlative sound on a supremely playable mandolin.
Overall length is 27 3/8 in. (69.5 cm.), 9 7/8 in. (25.1 cm.) across at the widest point, and 1 11/16 in. (4.3 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 13 3/4 in. (349 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/32 in. (28 mm.).
This almost 20 year old mandolin shows only very light signs of use, feeling nicely played in but not heavily used. There are some tiny scuff marks here and there, that's about it. The finish on the back below the neck heel has some light crazing. The original frets have been lightly crowned, showing some very light wear. This is a true master class instrument, a superb mandolin in every way. It resides in the original Heiden-branded Calton road case, with some external wear and sticker application. Overall Excellent Condition.
