Thread: Mando #1 - Progress pics

great looking mando there.

It is looking pretty Sebastiaan.

Not long now.....

Looks very cool Sabastiaan!

looks good,

that body is way bigger than any mando I've ever seen or played. Is it a traditional size?

Peter

yeah, looks like an alto guitar.
Should project sound really well.
Did you kick a little baby off its quilt to take the photo or what? Big meanie, but good decision- better looking than any kid!

I'm impressed!

P

Originally Posted by peterbrown

that body is way bigger than any mando I've ever seen or played. Is it a traditional size?

Thanks for the feedback folks. It still needs a lot of finishing. this mando was an attempt to use the Gibson L7 guitar shape and hopefully get a different tone from the typical A and F styles. I expect stronger bass and mid and probably some loss of attack. Should be good for more jazzy styles. I almost changed the string length to 500mm (CGDA tuning) when I was going to attach the neck but decided to finish something to the original plan for a change,

I know so little about mandos its criminal.
Is the top formed and braced like an accoustic or carved to get its contours?

Looks good, real good! I also like the way you have placed it on a quilt like a new baby!

What's the soundboard wood?

Cheers

Hi guys,

The top and bottom are carved, I got a carving wheel for an angle grinder and used a flexible sanding disc to finish. Ive now got a spare soundboard sitting in the shed. The soundboard is King Billy Pine, smells wonderful when you work it, spicy.

Mandolins have a long history and are short scaled double coursed fretted instruments. The Mandolin family tuning and string lengths follow the violin family. The Wikipedia is as good a place to start as any, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandolin also there are a lot of players on you-tube. Finally, Dave Grisman, a bluegrass and jazz guru, offers a free download track every day at dawgnet.com

There are many other double course instruments Lutes, Oud's, Citterns, Bozouki's, on and on it goes. Fascinating stuff.

For theses interested
My Fav Mandolin site
http://www.mandolincafe.com/

Originally Posted by Sebastiaan56

The soundboard is King Billy Pine, smells wonderful when you work it, spicy.

Thanks Seb, Yeah I noticed that nice smell when I was building my guitar.

BTW My brother has started playing (Double Bass) with a group called Bluegrass Parkway and their mando player also makes - Paul Duff?

Have heard but haven't seen the band yet - have to admit its not really my kinda music - nonetheless can still appreciate the instrument making skills.

Cheers

Looks bloody Brilliant Sebastiaan, let me know what the King Billy is like as a soundboard, as i now have 3 Cubic metres in stock airdrying and more on the way. all quartersawn,regards Bob,

Just had another good look at photos Sebastiaan, just thinking this would look great with Figured Blackwood Back and Sides, regards Bob.