About

 Welcome to my website! I'm Yair Stern, a luthier and designer with a passion for crafting beautiful and unique string instruments. Since 2016, I've been designing and building mandolin family instruments, which are my favourite to play. I'm based in Canada and all my instruments are entirely handmade from start to finish by me, without outsourcing any part of the process.

As a master luthier, I believe that designing an original instrument is the most satisfying and challenging aspect of my craft. I strive to create instruments that not only sound good but also have an aesthetic and possibly original look. I follow the basic rules and standards of instrument building, but also put my own spin on each piece to make it truly unique.

When you purchase one of my handmade instruments, you can be assured that you're getting a piece of art that is both visually pleasing and acoustically superior. Whether you're a seasoned musician or just starting out, I'm confident that you'll love playing and owning one of my instruments. Browse my website to learn more about my work and find the perfect instrument for your needs.

Design, Building Philosophy & Availability

As a skilled luthier, I take great pride in building each mandolin by hand. This time-consuming process allows me to create truly unique and personalized instruments for my clients. I believe in the importance of working on a single instrument at a time. From start to finish, I am involved in every aspect of the building process, including the final set-up.

Unfortunately, at present, my stock of instruments is limited or non-existent. Most of my instruments are made to order but from time to time you might find some on the “Available for sale” page. I hope this changes in the future, but for now, my focus remains on crafting each mandolin with the utmost care and attention to detail. If you are interested in purchasing a mandolin, the waiting time can range from two weeks to two months.

Should you desire, you have the option to customize your instrument within certain limits. You can choose the type of wood, the shape of the fingerboard, the finish, the tuning machines, the frets wire and more. Please note that the price may vary based on your customization choices. As I build your instrument, I'd be happy to send you progress photos. It takes approximately two weeks to build one of my instruments depending on the model and upgrades.

I am dedicated to making each instrument the best it can be, and I believe that the time and effort I put into building each mandolin are reflected in the final product. Whether you're a professional musician or just starting out, I'm confident that you'll love playing and owning one of my handcrafted mandolins.

Ordering or purchasing an instrument.

When it comes to purchasing one of my handcrafted instruments, please note that all prices listed on my website are in US Dollars (USD) and do not include taxes or shipping fees. At the time of ordering, I will require a $200 deposit and the remaining balance will be due upon completion of the instrument. If you're interested in acquiring one of my creations, simply send me an email and we'll get the process started. Payments can be made through PayPal invoicing, either via credit card or other available methods, and I will ship the instrument to you via FedEx or another courier service once the payment has been cleared. Throughout the process, I will keep you updated on the status of your order.

Shipping and taxes

Shipping to the USA costs approximately $75 USD but may change over time. To date, my customers have not been charged any taxes or duties in the USA.

Shipping to the EU and UK costs approximately $150 USD, in the EU a 3% customs duty and VAT are charged.

Caring for your instrument

To ensure that your instrument lasts a lifetime, it's important to take good care of it. As all my instruments are made of 100% solid wood and finished with shellac, it's crucial to keep them in an environment with a humidity level of 40-60%. Prolonged exposure to dry conditions will cause irreversible damage, even if it doesn't show immediately.

Return and Warranty

If you're not completely satisfied with an instrument you’ve purchased, you have 14 days to return it. You will be refunded the buying price less the shipping and 10% restocking fees. Please note that you'll be responsible for the return shipping costs. I offer a one-year warranty on all my instruments.