About Austin Folk Instruments
About
As a keen Folk Musician/Singer with over 30 years playing.
I decided to take the leap into Musical Instrument making having spent over 30 years working as a Tool and Die Maker and having worked in a very high precision environment within the Printing Industry.
I've also had the privilege of working Part Time for a local Whistle Maker, Misha Somerville at MK Whistles, who also specialises in the manufacture of top quality instruments.
It was during that time the notion of building instruments would really hit home. The satisfaction in creating a thing of beauty that plays and feels like a dream.
I feel privileged to have played some very fine instruments over the years as a player and some of the finest I've played are not of famous brands but hand built by individuals who dedicated their time to creating a masterpiece.
At Austin Folk Instruments, we are driven by the ethos of striving for excellence and perfection. Every instrument is crafted with love and setup before leaving the workshop.
We specialise in the manufacture of electric solid bodied mandolins made from hardwoods such as Mahogany, Ash, Tulipwood, Alder,Maple and Cherry etc..
The body shapes take on the resemblance of popular electric guitar models from the likes of Fender and Gibson and a few others.
Every instrument is hand built using a mixture of traditional hand skills and CNC to ensure accuracy.
The electronics and hardware are either bought from quality brands such as Seymour Duncan, Grover, Gotoh and other components sourced from reputable luthier supplies such as Stewmac or where possible made in-house.
We offer a range of finishes from natural wood with coloured staining with a clear coat lacquered finish to metallic, iridescent base with high gloss finish or even vinyl wrap with a range of different designs or even a personalised design of your own.
We also build Cajon Drums of varied designs and sizes with Snare, Bass Chamber and pick-up options.
The top, back and sides are normally made from Birch Plywood with a hardwood facing of either, Mahogany, Rosewood, Beech or Maple etc.
The Cajons are sealed with either high gloss, satin or matt laquer with optional graphics or colour stain added prior to final coat.
To try and make the most of any offcuts of tone-woods, we experiment in creating percussion instruments.
Shakers, clackers and whatever our imagination can create to add character to your sound.
Coming Soon!!!
Introducing the Austin Electric Mandolin Range.
Austin Bandit:
Austin Gypsy:
Our current range are in the design stages of construction and should enter production in the fall of 2026 with a product release planned for mid 2027.