Helen Beausoleil - ZETA Violins | Electric Violins Cello Bass | ZETA Mandolins | Pickups Repairs (original) (raw)
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 would be an understatement. You might ask – an expert at what? And the answer would be, just about everything. She has probably detailed more instruments in her lifetime than anyone alive. And while you’re pondering that, consider this . . . she’s been detailing musical instruments for 29 years, and she’s still smiling. WOW! Her expertise in sanding and detailing, taping and scraping, building and repairing is simply marvelous.
Helen began her career in musical instrument building with the Flatiron Mandolin Company back in 1985. Her first job with Flatiron was sanding A5 and F5 mandolins. Her keen eye soon led to scraping binding and all other aspects of detailing white-wood instruments. The move from mandolins to guitars at the Gibson guitar plant placed Helen at the head of the sanding department. While she was sorely missed in the mandolin department, certainly the guitars could not have been in better hands.
In 1998 Helen joined the newly founded Weber Mandolin Company and once again was detailing mandolins. Throughout her years at ‘Weber’ (Sound to Earth), Helen broadened her abilities as she became the ‘floater’ . . . working in whatever building department needed help. Eventually this broad experience led her into repairs where she was able to focus her talents.
Fast forward to 2013 when Helen joined Steve Carlson at NC Solutions, with an eye on fitting into the upcoming launch of Zeta Violins. At Zeta, Helen is now working in every aspect of construction of the instruments, including machining, building, sanding, fitting, detailing, pickups, repairs, etc.
“Helen is the quintessential right hand man . . . I mean woman. What a blessing her presence and demeanor is in the Zeta shop.” Steve Carlson
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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
OIBF Jam with Greg and Henry Burgess . . .
Featuring ZETA's Acoustic Pro violin and our latest A5_v3 mando. ... See MoreSee Less
ZETA's OIBF auction item. Auction is Saturday @ 3:00 pm. ... See MoreSee Less
OIBF day 2: ZETA smiles abound. ... See MoreSee Less
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.
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Day 1, ZETA at OIBF . . . Guthrie, Oklahoma . . . with Henry Burgess trying out ZETA's Stage AE, ver3. ... See MoreSee Less
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
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
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 . . . 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 . . . 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 . . . 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Thank you Yilian Orama . . . bringing your sunshine into the world. So BEAUTIFUL! ... See MoreSee Less
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
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!
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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
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 .
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A very special time at our ZETA Shop yesterday . . . receiving our first visitors from Romania! ... See MoreSee Less
About Us
. . . meet the ZETA team
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]