Mandolin kit

[Rick W]

I've had success with precision wood projects in the past; now would like to try building an inexpensive (<$200) kit, resulting in something I can learn to play on. Any suggestions? Sources? URL's? A or F, don't matter to me; more interested in something that goes together well and has good action and decent tone. Thanks, y'all......

[Igor The Cat]

Start from scratch:D

[Bill Snyder]

I doubt that you will find a "Good" kit for less than $200 once you add hardware. #Don Kawalek's (aka Luthier) kits are $245.00 shipping included. There are several people at the Cafe that have used his kits and they seem to all have good things to say about the finished mandolin and him. There is a thread on the builder's board right now about Don.
I believe his are flat tops with spruce top and walnut back, sides and neck.
The A or F style kits found at Stewart McDonald are quite a bit more expensive and don't ship with tuning machines or tailpiece. I am pretty sure Don's come with those.
Roger Siminoff also sells kits as does Music Maker's and Lark in the Morning. You can do a google for all of those.
Good luck.
Oh, if you do start from scratch you will still probably end up spending quite a bit of money to build one unless you already are tooled up for the task and even then if you use good materials and hardware it could cost more than $200.00.

[Rob Grant]

It is conceivable for a "first timer" to build a good flattop from scratch without a lot of specialized tools. Stick with an oval or round hole and see if you can score some study/measuring time with either a Gibson Army/Navy or one of the early Flatirons. A simple, one piece internal mould will assist the construction phase. There's nothing wrong with the tone and projection of a well conceived flattop. I've made several that can hold their own with the carved tops.

[Rick W]

You people are awesome! Thanks so much for solid advice all around. The S-M Campfire model really looks like what I had in mind all along. I may have most tools, etc., for building from scratch now, but time (grad' student) is a different matter. Anyway, I should get one under my belt before trying that. (Same goes for scratchbuilt model railroad stock)
Thanks again.....

[Luthier]

Rick,

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/kawalekd/homepage/kitpage.htm
Yell if I can be of any help.

Don

[John Zimm]

Rick W.

If I may, I'd like to give a plug for Don Kawalek's kits. I have not yet purchased one, but Don prepared some wood for me and did a beautiful job. One really important thing you will get from Don that the other kits don't provide is online help. I don't know how many times Don was there with encouragment for me, who he really didn't know from Adam. For those of us just starting out, advice from experienced builders is priceless.

On that note Don, I have recently started working again on the mandolin I started last year. I can salvage the tonewood you sanded for me (which UPS did their best to destroy) and I am looking forward to putting it all together.

-John.

[Jim Rowland]

Grizzly's new Luthier's catalog features an interesting looking kit which is pretty much pre-assembled. This is,no doubt,an import,but includes everything down to the strings. Price: $129.95. You will learn a little about luthiery and have a playable instrument,but beyond that I can't say.
Jim

[Bill Snyder]

That Grizzly Kit (http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=H5966) really does not leave a lot for you to do. There is no description of materials given and the neck appears to be attached by three dowels. I wonder if the body is all solid, plywood or a mix?

[Jim Rowland]

Bill,I'll quote from the catalog which has a more informative description. "..rosewood fretboard with pearl dots, arched spruce soundboard and mahogany back and sides,adjustable floating bridge, pickguard,proper mandolin tuners and a set of strings.." The photo looks like the "arch" is thin material which has been laterally induced. No mention of a stiffening rod of any kind. Also included is floating pickguard. Can't see inside,so the bracing is anybody's guess. They say spruce and mahogany,but might be talking about veneered ply.
Jim

[Rob Grant]

Love the names of the kits...

"Campfire mandolin kit": Enough wood to boil up the billy with for that morning cuppa' in camp.

"Grizzly Kit": A "bear" bones kit which when completed is "inclined to complain FRETfully."
................
Thanks to the Australian Macquarie Essential Dictionary for that last quote.<G>

[Stanley Cox]

I chose the Stew-Mac kit because I wanted to build an Fstyle
mando.It might be a few $ more than you want to spend, but
after receiving the kit it has alot of the grunt work done
for you.I am pleased with the kit.
No financial interest.
Stanley