Mandolins . . . a New Journey - ZETA Violins | Electric Violins Cello Bass | ZETA Mandolins | Pickups Repairs (original) (raw)

ZETA’s ‘Stage’ Mandolin Hits the Road

For 4 decades ZETA instruments have brought advanced form and function to the world of electric analog/digital violins, violas, cellos and basses. Add to that now . . . a stunning new Acoustic and Acoustic/Electric offering to the mandolin world.

ZETA’s new ‘A’ Style mandolin, the ‘Stage’, brings to market the 1st of it’s kind . . . a fully acoustic mandolin featuring ZETA’s proprietary Strados™ bridge pickup technology. The result is noise free amplification of the true mandolin sound and tone, ie no boom box effect common in all other mandolin pickups. Presented in a traditional format in both look and feel, ZETA’s new bridge is intended to please even the purest die-hard traditionalist. Combined with convenience of internal preamp, signal balancing and 1/4″ jack . . . ZETA’s acoustic/electric offering is a sure ‘Stage’ ready winner both plugged-in and unplugged.

Steve Carlson (current owner of ZETA Violins), well known for his Flatiron Mandolins (1980-1993), as well as his 7 years at Gibson resurrecting the Gibson mandolin line (1987-1993), is pleased to be back at it. Carlson, with over 10,000 mando builds already to his name. . . “I’m very happy to once again be building great mandolins in the Gallatin Valley of Montana, USA. ZETA’s pickups are world-class and I’ve been working to marry that technology to a great mandolin for sometime now. It’s been a bit of an effort to get it right, and of course that is ongoing and part of the mystique or appeal. Combine that effort and the technology available with the great staff we have and you have a pretty good formula for some awesome instruments. Myself, Helen, Bob, Bruce, Justin, Don, Doug . . . that’s more than 145 years combined building experience . . . wow . . . let’s go!”

The ‘Stage’ by ZETA . . . no boom . . . just music

Available soon at these fine dealers:

Elderly Instruments . . . Lansing, MI . . . (517) 372-7880

Carter Vintage Guitars . . . Nashville, TN . . . (615) 915-1851
The Mandolin Store . . . Surprise, AZ . . . (623) 933-8319

More Info:

Acoustic and Acoustic-Electric Mandolin Details

Strados™ Mandolin Pickup System Details


Now . . . whether it’s the true tone clarity of the new Strados™ Mandolin pickup; the silky smooth tone of the Jazz Fusion; the edgy acoustic throat of the Strados™ Modern; or the full-bodied traditional voice of the EV Acoustic. Whatever you want . . . Zeta delivers! Professional quality instruments that enhance the artist’s performance, opening the door to unlimited creativity and musical self-expression.

Zeta’s three exclusive pickup systems deliver a wide range of analog tones for use in varying stylistic recording and performance applications.

Zeta violins are specifically designed for use by discerning musicians in a variety of musical genres. Stylistic and versatile, the Zeta sound delivers tone without compromise; for the local venue, recording studio, or concert stage. The ultimate in creative expression, ZETA Violins …the Player’s Choice.

loading videos

Loading Videos...

loading videos

Loading Videos...

Like Us on Facebook

. . . Recent Posts_News_Videos

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

I've now finished the top coloring and sealing process of ZETA's custom #1,000. A rich golden brown nicely frames and shows off the delicate pearl and abalone shell inlay of this one of a kind ZETA. Rubbing naptha over the sealed top . . . reveals the color and pop of the inlay. Next is coloring the body and neck . . . then final spray. Hope you enjoy. ... See MoreSee Less

ZETA Violins

OIBF Jam with Greg and Henry Burgess . . .
Featuring ZETA's Acoustic Pro violin and our latest A5_v3 mando. ... See MoreSee Less

ZETA Violins

ZETA's OIBF auction item. Auction is Saturday @ 3:00 pm. ... See MoreSee Less

ZETA Violins

OIBF day 2: ZETA smiles abound. ... See MoreSee Less

ZETA Violins

OIBF day 1: ZETA's Stage A_v3 . . . 'Jerusalem Ridge' with Henry Burgess.

Note: v3 (aka #18), is acoustic only, ie without pickup at this festival.

... See MoreSee Less

ZETA Violins

Day 1, ZETA at OIBF . . . Guthrie, Oklahoma . . . with Henry Burgess trying out ZETA's Stage AE, ver3. ... See MoreSee Less

ZETA Violins

OIBF day 1 with Andrew Hunt . . . The Hunt Brothers Band . . . playing ZETA's 2023 OIBF Youth Music Scholarship Auction item: ZETA Acoustic Pro 5-String (with Case) ... See MoreSee Less

ZETA Violins

Decisions . . . Decisions

ZETA . . . available at these fine music dealers:
Electric Violin Shop . . . Durham, NC USA
Fly Music . . . Bosanci, Suceava, Romania
Henglewscy Music Salon . . . Poznan, Poland
Scavino Musica . . . Torino, Italy

... See MoreSee Less

ZETA Violins

Special Order Dark Cherry Burst . . . Oh My!

ZETA . . . available at these fine music dealers:
Electric Violin Shop . . . Durham, NC USA
Fly Music . . . Bosanci, Suceava, Romania
Henglewscy Music Salon . . . Poznan, Poland
Scavino Musica . . . Torino, Italy

... See MoreSee Less

ZETA Violins

ZETA . . . available at these fine music dealers:
Electric Violin Shop . . . Durham, NC USA
Fly Music . . . Bosanci, Suceava, Romania
Henglewscy Music Salon . . . Poznan, Poland
Scavino Musica . . . Torino, Italy ... See MoreSee Less

ZETA Violins

ZETA . . . available at these fine music dealers:
Electric Violin Shop . . . Durham, NC USA
Fly Music . . . Bosanci, Suceava, Romania
Henglewscy Music Salon . . . Poznan, Poland
Scavino Musica . . . Torino, Italy ... See MoreSee Less

ZETA Violins

ZETA . . . available at these fine music dealers:
Electric Violin Shop . . . Durham, NC USA
Fly Music . . . Bosanci, Suceava, Romania
Henglewscy Music Salon . . . Poznan, Poland
Scavino Musica . . . Torino, Italy ... See MoreSee Less

ZETA Violins

Mystical Adventures . . . Part V

ZETA . . . available at these fine music dealers:
Electric Violin Shop . . . Durham, NC USA
Fly Music . . . Bosanci, Suceava, Romania
Henglewscy Music Salon . . . Poznan, Poland
Scavino Musica . . . Torino, Italy

... See MoreSee Less

ZETA Violins

Mystical Adventures . . . Part IV (I was 30 . . . building Flatiron F & A style carved top mandolins . . . Keith McMillen was 26 . . . building his '2nd generation' of ZETA electric violins . . . one went to Jean-Luc Ponty)

ZETA . . . available at these fine music dealers:
Electric Violin Shop . . . Durham, NC USA
Fly Music . . . Bosanci, Suceava, Romania
Henglewscy Music Salon . . . Poznan, Poland
Scavino Musica . . . Torino, Italy

... See MoreSee Less

ZETA Violins

Mystical Adventures . . . Part III (Contemplation)

ZETA . . . available at these fine music dealers:
Electric Violin Shop . . . Durham, NC USA
Fly Music . . . Bosanci, Suceava, Romania
Henglewscy Music Salon . . . Poznan, Poland
Scavino Musica . . . Torino, Italy

... See MoreSee Less

ZETA Violins

Mystical Adventures . . . Part II (arrival of the 6th Element)

ZETA . . . available at these fine music dealers:
Electric Violin Shop . . . Durham, NC USA
Fly Music . . . Bosanci, Suceava, Romania
Henglewscy Music Salon . . . Poznan, Poland
Scavino Musica . . . Torino, Italy

... See MoreSee Less

ZETA Violins

Mystical Adventures . . . Part I

ZETA . . . available at these fine music dealers:
Electric Violin Shop . . . Durham, NC USA
Fly Music . . . Bosanci, Suceava, Romania
Henglewscy Music Salon . . . Poznan, Poland
Scavino Musica . . . Torino, Italy

... See MoreSee Less

ZETA Violins

LEGENDS . . .

ZETA . . . available at these fine music dealers:
Electric Violin Shop . . . Durham, NC USA
Fly Music . . . Bosanci, Suceava, Romania
Henglewscy Music Salon . . . Poznan, Poland
Scavino Musica . . . Torino, Italy

... See MoreSee Less

ZETA Violins

Our ZETA JV45 Fusion TransBlack BlackEdge Burst continues to gain in popularity . . . but seems to be developing a bit of an attitude here lately.

ZETA . . . available at these fine music dealers:
Electric Violin Shop . . . Durham, NC USA
Fly Music . . . Bosanci, Suceava, Romania
Henglewscy Music Salon . . . Poznan, Poland
Scavino Musica . . . Torino, Italy

... See MoreSee Less

ZETA Violins

Custom ZETA Acoustic Pro for Yilian Orama. Thank you Yilian for bringing your sunshine into the world. Check out her video here:
www.facebook.com/zetaviolins/videos/920835249043501

ZETA . . . available at these fine music dealers:
Electric Violin Shop . . . Durham, NC USA
Fly Music . . . Bosanci, Suceava, Romania
Henglewscy Music Salon . . . Poznan, Poland
Scavino Musica . . . Torino, Italy

... See MoreSee Less

ZETA Violins

Thank you Yilian Orama . . . bringing your sunshine into the world. So BEAUTIFUL! ... See MoreSee Less

ZETA Violins

2023 finds us making progress on ZETA's new website featuring all new pics. Forcing myself to find a little bit of time for some photo fun . . . hopefully fun for you as well.

Stop by and check out our recent shipments to these fine ZETA dealers:
Electric Violin Shop . . . Durham, NC USA
Fly Music . . . Bosanci, Suceava, Romania
Henglewscy Music Salon . . . Poznan, Poland
Scavino Musica . . . Torino, Italy

... See MoreSee Less

ZETA Violins

Finished up 2022 strong, with many custom builds and a wide array of classic ZETA's . . . all thanks to you and these fine dealers:

Electric Violin Shop . . . Durham, NC USA
Fly Music . . . Bosanci, Suceava, Romania
Henglewscy Music Salon . . . Poznan, Poland
Scavino Musica . . . Torino, Italy

Be sure and stop by and check out their recent ZETA arrivals. You'll enjoy, I'm sure!

... See MoreSee Less

ZETA Violins

Received today from ZETA's Poland dealer Henglewscy Music. Thank you Nell for sharing with us. An odd juxtaposition of heartwarming and heartwrenching at the same time. Violinist Pavlo Lesiuk, escaping from Ukraine and making it to Poland where resident Cellist Szymon Walenciak and Pavlo find a moment to share some music. Our prayers go out each day for all of Ukraine and all those impacted by the tragedy unfolding in Europe. ... See MoreSee Less

Video image

ZETA Violins

Ready for Day 2 . . . Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival (OIBF) - Guthrie, Oklahoma. Despite some early rain yesterday . . . when the music started at 3:00 pm it was one gorgeous afternoon and night full of that sweet bluegrass sound resonating from the stage and parking lot. We all miss Byron Berline, a good friend and longtime supporter. I think he'd be touched by all the fans that have turned out and the great bands carrying on the legacy of the OIBF festival he started. Rest in peace Byron.

Back in the vendor tent we had a good number of players testing out our ZETA fiddles and mandolins. Our ZETA Stage Mando turned quite a few heads . . . more than one were seen returning a time or two . . . pulling some tone and checking out that pickup.
We're hoping to get one up on stage before long, perhaps tonight?

Tomorrow afternoon, Saturday, is the Young Bluegrass Musicians Scholarship Benefit Auction. ZETA is donating an Acoustic Pro 4-Stirng Fiddle for the auction. If you want to bid you can message me your bid. Auction starts at 4:00 pm Saturday. Serious bidders will be messaged by me live during the auction if desired. So this is a great opportunity to take part and support an over the top worthy cause and own a ZETA Pro 4 .

... See MoreSee Less

ZETA Violins

A very special time at our ZETA Shop yesterday . . . receiving our first visitors from Romania! ... See MoreSee Less

Load more

About Us

. . . meet the ZETA team

James Schlender

James, a native of Montana, grew up in a home filled with the sound of guitar and mandolin being played by his father, a traditionalist in the old-time sty… [Read more]

Steve Carlson

Raised in Boulder, Colorado, Steve moved to Bozeman, Montana to study Architecture at MSU in 1972. His passion for banjo playing led him to opening a music… [Read more]

Phil Brug

Phil was born and raised in the Cody area of Wyoming. His parents were some of the last homesteaders in the United States. Growing up farming and ranching … [Read more]

LoudBox Artist

"I lead a flat life here at Zeta Violins. Sure, I'm supposed to hang in the background, I know that. But give me a break. Turn my knobs please. Add some co… [Read more]

Jamie Carlson Henley

Jamie, born and raised just north of Bozeman, grew up in a world that seemed to revolve around musical instrument production. Even on weekend visits to her… [Read more]

Natalie Padilla Koob

Originally from Montana, Natalie began fiddling at the age of 3 under the instruction of her mother, acclaimed fiddler & composer Nancy Padilla; soon a… [Read more]

Helen Beausoleil

With over 20,000 instruments having passed through her hands (give or take a few hundred), Helen is what you might call an expert . . . and of course, that… [Read more]

Videos

. . . sound check please

Strados Bridge

Enlarge

EV Bridge

Enlarge

Jazz Bridge

Enlarge

Stage Acoustic/Electric Mandolin

Enlarge