Stelling A Mando

[Onesound]

Greetings,

About 20+ years ago, Stelling made an A style mando, with two symetrical rounded body "points". #I have always loved its eligant simplicity. #If anyone has any photos I'd enjoy seeing them. #Even more, if you've got one, and would be willing to trace its outline for me, I would be eternally grateful! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Cheers,
# Onesound

[djweiss]

I've seen such a mandolin down here in San Diego. Next time I run across the gentleman who plays it, I'll put in your request...

-Darren

[sunburst]

I may be jumping to a conclusion here, but if you are thinking of using the outline to build a similar instrument, be advised that those old "two hump" mandolins were structurally much weaker that standard A, F, or two point mandolins. That and market preasure were the reasons for Stelling going to strictly F style.

[mandroid]

The lumpy bits could be useful for oval hole A types with long f style necks, I have often thought, make them look less oddly shifted. structurally? #maybe the lumps would be solid block backed.
bla X 3 http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[AeroJoe]

I actually owned Stelling mandolin #3, it is one like you described shape-wise and the back and sides being bird's eye maple. I bought it on consignment at Picker's Supply in Fredericksburg, Va. The guy I sold it to still has it, I'll direct him to this thread and maybe you'll get the info you need. Hope this helps.

[Onesound]

Thanks for all the help, gang.

Yes, you (amoung you) are correct. #I dug up an old ad that I still have laying around... there were three models S1, S2 and S3. #Interesting, didn't know about the structural problems. #True, could make the bumps solid, or perhaps better yet add an inner wall (with port) for bracing. #I often wondered if the bumps added any significant volumn (resonance or volume) to the sound box.

I'm not a builder and was thinking about commissioning a similiar design. #Course, there is enough good info around here to give it a try myself.

Maybe the attraction to the design is that it reminds me of a snowflake or shamrok (or something!).
Cheers,
#Onesound

[sunburst]

I often wondered if the bumps added any significant volumn (resonance or volume) to the sound box.
The S1, 2, and 3 mandolins were bigger inside - that is, they had more air volume than a standard F or A.

Here's my generalization of what they sounded like based on hearing maybe 5 to 10 of them as well as talking to several owners and former owners and to Kim Breedlove, the builder of those:

They were loud, and the tone was inconsistent. Most were bass heavy with quite a chop but weak treble notes. (YMMV)

Blocks in the "humps" would probably strengthen things up, they would also add weight and reduce the internal area.