This is the best interview with a luthier I've ever seen. I truly believe that John Monteleone is a genius. I met him a few times in the early '80s at his old shop. I had the audacity to show him my first mando- it was an F5- and he was forthright and honest enough to tell me that the scroll was distorted.( It was!) Later, I brought along my 3rd guitar- he told me it was heavy. (it's still heavy!)Anyway , he told me the straight story, and gave me something to work with, and work on, and I appreciated that then, and still do today. For my money, J. Monteleone is one guy who has it all going- creativity, innovation, design skill, craftsmanship...I recall an ancient interview in Mandolin World News, where he said something like, " I made some Loar style mandolins and got real close" (paraphrasing from memory). The gist was that he couldn't keep doing that, he had to find/establish his own style. I guess he's done that....
Thanks for posting the link!