James Schlender - ZETA Violins | Electric Violins Cello Bass | ZETA Mandolins | Pickups Repairs (original) (raw)

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 styles. At the age of 9, James’ parents encouraged him to join the Dillon Jr. Fiddlers in Dillon, MT. James loved it, and took to it like a fish to water.
While learning to perform old-time and Texas-style, James started entering a few fiddle contests and it quickly became obvious he was born to play the fiddle. Two and a half years after starting to play, at age 11, his parents took him to Weiser, Idaho to the National Old Time Fiddle Contest to gain some experience. He amazed everyone by winning a National title in his age group, the Jr. Jr. Division. Two years later, he won again in the 13-17 age group.

At age 12 the Schlender family moved back to Bozeman and James began playing classical music in public school. At about that same time he discoverd his passsion for improv playing in the bluegrass and swing style. At age 14, James and his dad formed a 6-piece swing band called the ‘The String Jumpers’, and James honed his chops in the swing and jazz genres throughout his high school years. As a senior in high school, he earned concert master status at the Montana All-State Orchestra.

Upon graduation, James was offered a full music scholarship to attend the University of Miami. While there, he performed with the likes of Chick Correa, Bobby McFerrin, Pharell Williams, Mark O’Connor, Bruce Hornsby, Joshua Bell, Edgar Meyer, Kenny Loggins, Take Six, and others.

James currently plays in a progressive acousitic band called ‘The Wynwoods’, and is preparing to move to Nashville.

“What a great young player to have out there playing our new Zeta violins. Zeta sound and performance unleashed with unlimited talent. Thank you James!” 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

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Special Order Dark Cherry Burst . . . Oh My!

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Mystical Adventures . . . Part V

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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)

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Mystical Adventures . . . Part III (Contemplation)

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

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Mystical Adventures . . . Part I

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LEGENDS . . .

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

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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

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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

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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

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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