I started playing and working on mandolins in 1997, and I began building my first mandolin in February 2003. By end of 2006, I had built 23 mandolins under the Driftwood name and 10 under the Poe name.  I am now building mandolins full time, and I am more focused than ever on producing fine handcrafted mandolins. I am of the opinion that there is always room for improvement, and I strive to outdo myself with each mandolin I make.

All Poe mandolins are personally hand constructed and no computer-operated equipment is used in their production. By no means am I against computerized technology, but I do believe that works of art have more character and quality when handmade.

All of my mandolins are built using the finest hand selected tone woods and materials available. I make everything on my mandolins from raw stock. The only thing that I do not make personally on my mandolins is the tuners and tailpieces.

Top and back plates are carefully hand graduated and tap tuned. All of my inlay work is hand cut. The neck is attached using a traditional compound dovetail joint that time has proven to be structurally sound, and commonly used on vintage Loar era mandolins.

Humidity and temperature are carefully monitored and controlled in the shop. All woods used have been acclimatizing in the shop for usually no less than 1 year even though all woods have already been well seasoned.

I stand behind the craftsmanship of my mandolins and all come with a lifetime guaranty on workmanship and materials to the original owner.

My goal is to build fine, handcrafted mandolins that both musicians and listeners will enjoy for centuries. Thank you so much for taking the time to visit the Poe Mandolins web site.