Mandolins in progress

**Jim Hilburn** · May-24-2012, 12:56pm

The terminology is probably wrong but I call this a "bookmatched" neck. Easier to see on the octave than a mandolin.

**OldGus** · May-24-2012, 1:30pm

Yeah, it's pretty.... all the Hilburn's are pretty. Are you using a natural or blonde finish on this one? How about a few more complete photo's Jim?

**Jim Hilburn** · May-25-2012, 3:09pm

There you go.

**OldGus** · May-25-2012, 3:57pm

That is a nice looking neck! I bet it will play easy. Nice looking materials throughout... I'm sure that will be even more evident when finish is applied.

**Arnt** · May-25-2012, 7:28pm

Scraping bindings...

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**Graham McDonald** · Jun-01-2012, 9:26pm

I decided I really like the Regal reverse scroll mandolins (aka smurf head) and thought I should build one. Never having actually seen the inside of an original I have worked out my own way of doing it. Essentially just some leftover pieces of spruce, maple and rosewood. It will have tortoise celluloid binding around the top. The neck just bolts on with a carbon-fiber bar in the neck which extends through the neckblock and supports the end of the fingerboard. The soundboard bracing is shaped to a 15' radius, so the section above the soundhole drops away a little which gives a couple degrees back neck angle.

Not many ever found their way across the Pacific, but I will have to get an original in some decrepit state and rebuild it some day. I have found a drum supplier who has sent me some small pits of modern pearloid drum wrap in various colours so for the next one I can have a pearloid fretboard and head overlay.

cheers

graham

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**JEStanek** · Jun-01-2012, 10:18pm

Very cool to see a new take on that style, Graham! Hope you're doing well.

Jamie

**Skip Kelley** · Jun-02-2012, 9:55am

There is alot of nice work by all on this thread.
Graham, Nicely done on the Regal type mandolin! I haven't heard it called Smurf head before. Now that is the first thing I see!

**Bill Snyder** · Jun-02-2012, 4:33pm

I think I have seen them called Papa Smurf mandolins.

**StevenS** · Jun-02-2012, 4:40pm

Sure is some impressive work folks are posting! Guess it is time to throw a shot in the mix.

Some necks waiting for their bodies . . .

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Steve

**George R. Lane** · Jun-02-2012, 5:04pm

I really like the second from the right. That full scroll is way cool.

**Max Girouard** · Jun-02-2012, 7:21pm

Originally Posted by Jim Hilburn

The terminology is probably wrong but I call this a "bookmatched" neck. Easier to see on the octave than a mandolin.

Jim, I've never been one for terminology, so.............I'm calling it AWESOME!!!!!

Also, nice work everyone else! I really dig the smurf esc mandolin!!

Here is a pile of rims I'm working on that are comming along nicely. Should be stringing up the mandola (bottom rim in flamed birch) tomorrow.

**Ctone** · Jun-02-2012, 7:41pm

Hey Max. It was great to see you guys at the McCoury show! Beautiful looking rims there! Is this the 1st mandola?

**Max Girouard** · Jun-02-2012, 7:47pm

Hey Carlton, The first mandola ended up in the woodstove! This one is the first completed that we are really happy with the build. I'll have it done soon if you want to plan a vist.

**Ctone** · Jun-02-2012, 8:37pm

Yes sir. I'd love to come hear it. Will be in touch!

**Andy Miller** · Jun-03-2012, 10:54am

Originally Posted by Jim Hilburn

The terminology is probably wrong but I call this a "bookmatched" neck. Easier to see on the octave than a mandolin.

Jim, you should market this as a "green" neck - you're getting a spectacular neck out of a thinner board!

**Jim Hilburn** · Jun-03-2012, 11:18am

For making laminated necks Bennedettos shows to get as many blanks as possible from your flatsawn board and mix and match, putting the curliest piece on the players side. I like the idea of matching them up better.

**Jim Hilburn** · Jun-04-2012, 3:58pm

Here's that neck in the booth. It's basically a flatsawn board cut right down the middle and "bookmatched" which gives you a pretty close mirror image.

**Dan Voight** · Jun-05-2012, 10:38am

Time for tone bars.

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**Max Girouard** · Jun-05-2012, 4:21pm

Just strung this up earlier in the week. When I build another I plan on using a longer scale length. I built this one to the Gibson mandola scale lenght, and while it sounds OK on the C course, I bet it would sound a lot more punchy with a longer scale as well as tightening up the looseness of the string. I've got the action at 0.060 at the 12th fret and I'm getting a little buzz due to the looseness of the C course.

**Jim Garber** · Jun-05-2012, 4:27pm

Originally Posted by Graham McDonald

I decided I really like the Regal reverse scroll mandolins (aka smurf head) and thought I should build one.

Very cool, Graham. I am always interested in builders who are off the beaten track. looking fwd to the MOP deluxe model.

**Glassweb** · Jun-05-2012, 4:34pm

sounds good to me, Max! mandolas are such a trippy sound... kinda like a cross between a mandolin, a guitar and a banjo... i dig 'em!
getting them to play without a buzz and in tune is, as always, a challenge. i think Kimble's 16" scale models are a good way to go.

**Ed Goist** · Jun-05-2012, 5:11pm

Sounds great Max! Congratulations.
I bet the next one, on the longer scale, will be an absolute beast! Can't wait to hear that one.

**Dobe** · Jun-06-2012, 5:42pm

Originally Posted by George R. Lane

I really like the second from the right. That full scroll is way cool.

Ditto, kinda got an art-deco vibe !

**Max Girouard** · Jun-07-2012, 6:57pm

Originally Posted by Glassweb

sounds good to me, Max! mandolas are such a trippy sound... kinda like a cross between a mandolin, a guitar and a banjo... i dig 'em!
getting them to play without a buzz and in tune is, as always, a challenge. i think Kimble's 16" scale models are a good way to go.

Thanks Glassweb and Ed!

The next mandola will be a 16 inch scale for sure. I think Will has it right with the longer scale length. I was able to work out some of the buzz with some crafty fret work and have it at 0.060 at the 12th with minimal buzz. I'll post another video once finished.