In a small shop in Maryville, Lynn Dudenbostel has been making some of the world’s most sought-after mandolins for almost thirty years. Although he held a deep love for music from a very young age, it wasn’t until Lynn’s late 20s that he turned to instrument making. Inspired by the Gibson mandolins of the 1920s and Martin guitars of the 1930s, Lynn completed his first guitar in 1989. In addition to studying vintage instruments, Lynn was guided by the mentorship of famed luthier and string repairman, John Arnold of Newport, Tennessee. Less than ten years later, he completed his first mandolin. That same year in 1997, Lynn left his “day job” and made lutherie his full-time endeavor. Since then, Lynn has gained a reputation for producing world-class guitars and mandolins, and his instruments are highly coveted. Chris Thile famously has played a Dudenbostel #5 and #14 for most of his career.
With the spate of mandolins and guitars on the market, Lynn is dedicated to creating instruments of the highest quality. “I think it’s very important to ‘raise the bar’ on the overall quality of the instruments being produced, and I’m happy to help towards that end,” Lynn says. In addition to the making of instruments, repair work also plays a vital role in keeping traditional music alive within communities. Lynn explains, “From a community standpoint, a luthier most often contributes repair skills to folks in the area where he or she lives to help maintain the instruments they play and enjoy, whether professional or amateur players.” Lynn has shared his skills with his community—both local and national—over the years at events, workshops, and demonstrations. He’s presented his process close to home at the University of Tennessee and as far as Harvard University and the University of California at Santa Cruz.
As part of the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program this year, Lynn will teach arched top mandolin making to apprentice Gil Draper. This style is similar to the one popularized by the Gibson Corporation in the 1920s. Gil first visited Lynn’s shop over 20 years ago, sparking a friendship and inspiring him to become a luthier. Lynn’s mentorship has been foundational in Gil’s journey as he went on to start his own shop, Draper Stringed Instruments, in Knoxville. While Gil is advanced in his instrument making skills, he has never built one with an arched top. This apprenticeship will allow Gil to deepen his study of mandolin making by diving into this specific technique. Gil explains, “Lynn is universally regarded as one of the greatest mandolin builders in the world. He is a great teacher, always willing to share his knowledge with others and we get along really well. I would like to learn how to build carved top mandolins and do varnish finishes. I think it is skill best taught in person one-on-one and it would be a great honor to learn from one of the best.”
