Through the discussion board and workshop listing on mandolincafe.com, I became aware of luthier Don Kawalek. Speaking with him is like catching up with an old friend rather than talking to someone for the first time. Don is a very friendly, funny guy, whose great love in life is teaching other to build things.
Don fell in love with wood during a 7th grade woodworking class. He knew right then that he wanted to work with wood. His high school guidance counselor enrolled him in every math class he could possibly take in hopes that he would become a math teacher. The counselor felt that people who worked with their hands weren't very bright. Don went to college to become a math teacher, but he hated it and dropped out.
He decided to return to school and study woodworking. The day before graduation he opened the paper and a help wanted ad for LoPrinzi Guitars jumped out at him. Don worked for LoPrinzi for about a year until they closed, then went on to become an industrial arts teacher.
Mandolin Sessions: When did you build your first instrument?
Don Kawalek: In 1976. A banjo was first, followed by a mountain dulcimer, a mandolin and a hammered dulcimer.
MS: What did you do at LoPrinzi?
DK: I learned guitar building from start to finish and was the finishing department.
MS: What are you doing now?
DK: I have a shop in Bunker Hill, West Virginia and teach during the day. I started out teaching shop but in 1996, due to liability problems and the expense of wood and tools, the school discontinued shop classes and I now teach Technology Education to 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. We do have some scroll saws and a few other tools so I am able to do a little woodworking with the students.
MS: So luthierie is a second profession for you?
DK: Yes. I'm home from work by 2:45 p.m. and I build and repair my instruments in the evenings. It's my relaxation.
MS: Are you currently working on anything in particular?
DK: I'm revising my mandolin kits to have an induced arch in the top and to reduce the price. I just finished building two guitars this summer.
MS: How did you begin making kits?
DK: I was approached in 2000 by the 4-H Conference Center in Front Royal, Virginia, they wanted to know if I could teach adults how to build a mandolin in 3 days. I wasn't sure it could be done so I started engineering a kit then designed the jigs and fixtures. The classes have worked out well, I'm now on my 3rd generation kit.
MS: What do you end up with after a 3 day workshop?
DK: You leave with a playable mandolin that needs a finish applied.
MS: What's included with your kit?
DK: Everything - the kit comes in two versions, one with strings, tailpiece & tuners ($245.00), and one without those items ($199.00.) Plus you get me along with it! You can call or e-mail me and I will walk you through any step in the process that you need help with.
MS: What skill level is required to build an instrument from one of your kits?
DK: The main goal of the kit and workshop is simplicity. The kit is designed to give people the confidence and feel for basic lutherie skills. Someone with basic woodworking skills should have no problem assembling a mandolin from my kit.
MS: Do you do many repairs?
DK: Yes, I do. Several stores in the area send me their repair work and it keeps me busy. My main interest is getting the mandolin kits out and I am also working on an Octave Mandolin kit.
MS: Do you build finished mandolins for sale?
DK: That's coming, I'll build them to customer requests. They'll be priced competitively with the flat models built by Mid-Missouri and Weber.
MS: What is your favorite part of building?
DK: I love to do inlay work, but what I absolutely love to do is share information. I would love to open a luthier school and that may happen in the future, but retirement from teaching is a ways off. I would love to teach instrument building full time.
It was nice talking with Don, he may be contacted at:
http://mywebpage.netscape.com/kawalekd/homepage/index.html
kawalek@crosslink.net
If you would like information on Don's mandolin building workshops:
http://www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/northern/
