• Specifications for Tamarack #1
  • Back: Maple
  • Binding colors: Black
  • Body binding: Top & Back
  • Body Color: Natural
  • Bracing: X-plus
  • Bridge: Ebony Base, Ebony Saddle
  • Case: Hard Shell Shaped Case
  • Fingerboard: Ebony, Black Binding
  • Fingerboard Extension Block: Yes
  • Finish: Matte
  • Fret markers: Mother of Pearl Diamonds
  • Hardware: Nickel tuners, SS Tailpieces
  • Neck: Mahogany, Adjustable Truss Rod
  • Peghead Veneer: Ebony
  • Peghead inlay: Decal
  • Ribs: Maple
  • Scale Length: 24.75 Inches
  • Sound Hole: Oval
  • Top: Spruce
  • Warranty: Lifetime, Original Owner
    

Naming a new instrument, for us, is always a very serious and exacting task. We are aware that a great name for an instrument can positively affect how the instrument is perceived by our dealers and their customers.

Thus, the name "Tamarack" for our new line of flat mandocellos was only arrived at after long hours of research and much discussion within the Shop. We limited the choice of names to Montana trees and shrubs so that we would be consistent with our other flat names: Aspen, Alder and Sage. We also eliminated trees or shrubs that could be used in instrument building such as cedar, maple and spruce because we did not want the instrument associated with a particular wood.

With those limitations in mind, we proceeded diligently with the task at hand. Some of us liked the Yucca, but unfortunately it is not native to Montana. The Poplar was another early favorite but we felt that it was too close to the adjective "popular" and, of course, the statement "I'd like to order one of your popular mandolins" would apply to any of our instruments. Choctawhatchee Pine was considered and rejected as too long to fit on our labels. Hemlock, Locust and Weeping Willow were never serious contenders. Moosewood we have reserved for a custom instrument and Betula Populifolia was just too scientific. Hackmatack was possibly a good fit for some of our customers but is probably better suited for a golf club. Yew had a following but Paula objected. She envisioned phone conversations where she would have to inform the customer that she could not be ordered, at any price.

The Tamarack tree met all of our criteria. It is a Montana tree. It follows the progression from A to Z: Aspen, Alder, Sage, Tamarack; and, it is not easily confused with our other instrument names.

The Western Tamarack, also known as the Montana Larch, is the largest of the tamaracks. It attains its greatest size and abundance in Montana. This majestic tree displays its unique personality by changing its needles to a soft burnt orange color in the fall. It is one of the few coniferous trees to shed its needles in the winter.