"When you carve the tops and the backs, you have to really feel it. Because in everything you start, anything you do, every time you do it, you try and push yourself to learn more and make it better and better."
~ Pava Knezevic (via themandolinplayer.net)
Pava Knezevic’s journey to becoming one of today’s most respected mandolin builders is as inspiring as her instruments.
Originally from Croatia, she honed her skills as a carpenter before moving to the U.S. in 1995. After years of fine furniture making, she transitioned into luthiery at Collings Guitars and later joined Tom Ellis at Precision Pearl Inc., where she played a pivotal role in the revival of Ellis Mandolins.
In 2012, Pava began building under her own name, crafting mandolins with the same expert techniques and artistry that have made Ellis instruments so revered - only now with her own distinct voice and vision.
(photo by Tom Ellis)
Built on a Legacy of Excellence
With deep roots in her work alongside Tom Ellis, Pava carries forward a tradition of precision and artistry that players worldwide already trust and admire.
Old-World Craft, Modern Sensibility
Her background as a carpenter and furniture maker gives her mandolins a refined, structural integrity, while her luthier’s ear ensures tone that is warm, responsive, and full of life.
Accessible Handcrafted Quality
Pava Mandolins offer the hand-built care and quality of high-end boutique instruments, but with an approach that makes them attainable for serious players looking for lasting inspiration.
