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What Soli Deo Gloria Means
I place Soli Deo Gloria on the headstock of the hand built mandolins I make as a statement of my faith. I want to acknowledge that Soli Deo Gloria Mandolins are not a result of anything that I am, but are the natural outpouring of an ability that God has given me. Building each instrument to glorify God gives my work purpose and makes even the difficult tasks enjoyable. I am truly lucky to get to do something I love and to get to listen to good music while I work! How We Do Business
My wife, DeDe (the inlay lady and test player), and I intend in all business dealings to act with integrity. This means that if you are a supplier justly owed bills will be paid, if you are a customer we want you to be happy with your instrument. Warranty
The warranty does not cover general maintenance, finish and surface wear and fret-wear due to normal use. It does not cover damage from dropping an instrument or backing over it with your truck, blemishes in the finish or damage to the instrument caused by exposure to excessive heat, cold, humidity, dryness or other abuse.
How to Own Your Soli Deo Gloria Instrument
We are happy to ship you an instrument for trial. Instruments are shipped carefully packed and insured, signature required. We ask that you inspect the packaging when you receive the instrument and note with the delivery person any possible shipping damage this helps us to resolve claims with the shipper. Please also carefully check the instrument for shipping damage when you first open it. You have 3 days to play and enjoy the instrument -- we hope you like it and keep it. If you decide it is not right for you, ship it back in new condition by the 4th day. Please package the instrument carefully and ship it insured. You are responsible for all shipping costs -- to you and back to us. We require payment in full for an instrument before it is shipped. Your purchase price will be cheerfully refunded in full if you ship the instrument back by the 4th day in new condition. ~Steve & DeDe
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I
notice that most musicians look at the headstock first when they pick up a mandolin;
or first at the back to admire the beautiful flame figure and then at the headstock
to see who made it. It is traditional to find the builder's name on the headstock.
I don't put my name on the headstock of Soli Deo Gloria Mandolins
-- it's on the label. Soli Deo Gloria, the Latin words "Alone God
Glory", are on the headstock. They probably translate best "Glory to
God Alone." I can't claim to be the first to have used this phrase. Johann
Sebastian Bach signed each of his musical compositions soli deo gloria. Bach signed
his compositions this way because he wanted to be certain to give the glory to
God alone for his abilities as a composer. 
Soli
Deo Gloria is my pledge to myself, and to you, that I will put my best
workmanship into each instrument. I do not take shortcuts or make compromises
in workmanship or materials. To be a good steward of the wood I work with requires
that I carve carefully, taking the time to bring out the best in each mandolin
I handcraft. The mandolins and I enjoy listening to the bluegrass picking of Bill
Monroe, the sounds of The Stanley Brothers, Flatt and Scruggs, and to many more
contemporary players and local bands- Sam Bush, David Grisman, Tony Rice, Cedar
Grove and Brother's Keeper. This vibrates the wood and I believe contributes to
an open sound in a newer instrument, however the full voice of each mandolin is
only realized over time with love and playing. 
Our
instruments are warranted against defects in workmanship and materials
to the original owner for the working life of the luthier.
Check
in our