Mandolins
The mandolins I build are similar in outline to Gibson's A-style mandolins, with a few of my own modifications. Both flattop and archtop models utilize the same outline pattern, but the flattop's sides are slightly deeper. I do not build F-style mandolins, and have no desire to build them.
These mandolins have a scale length of 352 mm, with a body length of 330 mm and a body width of 254 mm.
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| Archtop Mandolin, Engelmann Spruce top and Paper Birch back | Flattop Mandolin, Engelmann Spruce top and Paper Birch back | ||
| All my flattop mandolins are built with a hybrid X/lattice style bracing for the soundboards similar to my flattop bouzoukis, to give the structural strength to resist the downward pressure of strings on the floating bridge. The bridge height can be kept at 16 mm above the top ,to give a stable soundboard with a rich tone. The archtop instruments can either be built with a thick top and just a small transverse brace, like the original A-style mandolins, or they can have a somewhat thinner top with a simple X-bracing. |
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Standard mandolin options available at no extra cost include:
- Choice of Englemann spruce, Western red cedar, Douglas fir, Western white pine, Yellow cedar, or SubAlpine Fir for the soundboard.
- Choice of Pau Ferro, Padauk, Bubinga, Paper birch, Walnut, Mahogany, or Cypress for back and sides. Other woods may be available.
- Choice of Mahogany, Douglas fir, or Birch for the neck wood.
- Wood bindings and purflings
- Carbon fibre stiffeners and/or truss rod embedded in the neck .
- Schaller mandolin tuning machines
- Choice of scale length, nut width, and string spread, and general setup.
- Choice of french polish, TruOil, or water based lacquer finishes.
Custom options available for an extra fee include:
- Special order back and side woods.
- Custom inlays or carvings on the headstock, neck or heel.
- Installed electronics/pickups
- Custom Calton case, or other heavy duty case.
- Special order tuning machines.
To get details on pricing options, please visit the Instrument Pricing page.