As the year 2007 kicks into gear, we've reminisced a bit about some of the successes this past year around the JazzMando Research Facilities. Here are our top five:

• SoloComp JM. Our collaboration with builder and pioneer Bill Bussmann of Old Wave Mandolins offered us the opportunity to develop a new voice in Jazz Mandodom. The 4-string course with it's amazing finger control and sustain in the lower chord-rich register of the mandola is a pleasure to play. Its eye-popping jazz-box shape and cosmetic mojo is even more compelling in person than pictures could ever communicate. This is a winner; hopefully the start of a new look at single-course playing for others, as well.
• New JazzDola JD13 Flatwound Mandola Strings. This was more work than we'd anticipated, balancing just the right gauges for sound and playability, but the many months coordinating with E & O Mari (Labella Strings) have rewarded us with a huge success. We've loaded up the Merchandise Center with a huge reorder and look forward to taking care of the vastly under-served mandola string market.
• User Expansion. We started the year with a goal to average 200 +/- visitors a day at JazzMando.com. We surpassed that in April and are proud to say the last three months of the year had us over 300 visitors a day, with a breathtaking 336 per day in December. (Spontaneous applause...).
• RSS Feeds. The best way to drive website participation is content, and we strive to provide something new on the site with important news, fresh and relevant, in addition to helpful pedagogical content. In addition to the lessons we archive, our "What's New?" and "Tips & Tricks" sections can be accessed through an RSS feed so you don't miss anything.
• Rigel Q-200 Mandola. A bittersweet accomplishment, we were excited to see this amazing ax reach development. An amazing instrument to play with the quirky cosmetic of it's smaller sister Q-95, the Gypsy "Q" we'd develop with Rigel two years prior, only two of these were made before Rigel closed its doors permanently.

Thanks to valued corporate sponsors and thanks to you all for your eyes, attention, and occasional kind word submitted to our Contact Page. May your New Year be fruitful, happy, and rich with chord extensions.

Posted by Ted at January 2, 2007 6:03 AM