Why not a thinline style Mandolin?

[elExtranjero]

Is there any reason other than tradition not to construct a mandolin similar to Thinline guitars where the back and sides are one piece routed out?

Thanks,

[John Flynn]

The Rigels are not exactly as you describe, but there are in that direction. The sides and neck block are all routed as one piece. Then the back is routed and glues onto the "sides unit." The top starts out the same way. It's pretty unique and kind of the same idea.

[glauber]

Check out the Mid-Missouri "Mini-Mo".

[mad dawg]

...and the Weber Sweet-Pea (which is also a smaller instrument like the Mini-Mo)

[Greenmando]

The martin backpacker is made kind of like that, exactly like a bandsaw jewelry box.

[Bob Grieco]

FWIW, the mini mo by BigMuddyMandolin.com is only 1 1/2 inches wide w/ a standard scale bolt on neck and same body height & width as the 2 inch wide Mid Mo and costs about 1/2 as much (300). NFI

[Richard Moore]

And the National RM-1

[crazymandolinist]

Didn't Orville do that too?

[lenf12]

While the Mann semi-hollow electrics use a different construction method (neck thru body vs. bolt on neck), I think the result is similar to the old Tele Thinlines.

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[MANNDOLINS]

I also use that method on my flat back acoustics. (neck-thru, sides and back machined from same wood)


http://www.youtube.com/user/MANNDOLINS#p/u/13/OOs4kieppvs

[Rob Grant]

Why?

Sort of a waste of good timber. You could end up with stability problems (cracking and warpage).

[MANNDOLINS]

I actually "waste" about the same amount of timber as one wastes making a "traditional" mandolin.