Researching mandolin history

[Graham McDonald]

Folks,

Over the past year or so I have thrown a couple of questions about mandolin history out to the Cafe and have had delightfully knowledegable and useful answers and ideas. Over the next year or so I am writing a book on mandolin building which will include an introductory chapter on the history of mandolin construction. Various kind people like Eugene, Martin Jonas, Paul Hostetter and others have been generous with their contributions and I am seeking their permission to include some of this information as part of the history. Acknowledgement will, of course, be given. My plan is to have this chapter on my website for comment before printing as part of the finished book (which is a year or two away) as I would like it to be as useful and accurate as possible.

Feel free to contact me directly rather than through the cafe if you wish. I am sure there is a nifty method of putting a link to an email address within a post, but the website link below will get to an email

thanks

graham

[berkeleymando]

I look forward to your publication. Although I am not a builder, I hope that eventually I'll get a chance to try. Good luck and let everyone know about your publication!

[Graham McDonald]

Thank you for the words of encouragement. The plan is to document building a flat-top/back basic instrument, a carved-top/flat-back celtic type, a fully carved A style and a cant-top bowl back. The last will be a bit of a challenge. In any case, the world (or at least the mandolin playing and building bit of it) will know when it gets published!

cheers