Information on Building my first Mandolin

[banjomike19]

Wood!

The the most important thing in building a mandolin. I have a question to all the seniors out there who have built mandolins out of different woods.

Has anyone ever used Black Wallnut? Or can this type of wood be used and or will it have a good tone and sound to it?

Thanks,

[grandmainger]

I like walnut very much, for building and for listening. The tone of black walnut is very warm (not a bluegrass tone), and it's a wonderful wood to work with. Go for it!

[Bill Snyder]

The skill of the luthier is THE most important part of building a mandolin.
While it is not terribly common, there have been several luthiers use claro walnut for back and side sets on mandolins. Two very fine luthiers that come to mind that have used it are Mario Proulx and Michael Lewis.

[buddyellis]

If you're looking for a bluegrass instrument, personally, I'd stick to 'tried and true' and use standard rock maple with spruce on the top, but realistically, it's more important what's done with the wood than the type of wood as long as it's decent tonewood. Bottom line, though, there are a good number of examples out there of graduations on maple, not so many on walnut, although my guess is they'd both be similarly graduated. I.E. learn to crawl first, follow examples that are out there, and experiment later, at least that's my 2 cents.