View Full Version : A new bandolim
Graham McDonald
Nov-29-2016, 11:48pm
Strung up yesterday, a bandolim in the Brazilian style. 13 7/8" scale. Sitka soundboard with H bracing, Tasmanian blackwood body, rock maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard. Rubber tuners and an old fashioned scallop tailpiece I found on the 'net somewhere. Shellac and oil finish. Loud, bright and punchy sound.
151724
151726
151725
Mark Gunter
Nov-30-2016, 12:58am
A right beautiful instrument!
Clement Barrera-Ng
Nov-30-2016, 4:07am
I love it Graham. Is it a custom order, or will it be part of your standard offering moving forward?
billhay4
Nov-30-2016, 11:33am
Very nice, Graham. Those rubber tuners must give it a real bouncy sound. :-)
Bill
Simple, but classy, I like it :)
Just curious, does it still fit in a regular case?
Graham McDonald
Nov-30-2016, 2:23pm
This one is a spec build and will be looking for an owner. I got curious about them after spending a couple of days earlier in the year with the owner of a Brazilian one and figured I could make one. Haven't checked for a case yet and they are of course Rubner tuners.
Cheers
Jim Garber
Nov-30-2016, 2:54pm
Very nice, Graham! Have you any sound files? What kind of strings are on it? I find that mine work best with lighter strings. I think my main one has Elixir lights tho I had tried some Brazilian Rouxinols which i could not get to play in tune.
Graham McDonald
Nov-30-2016, 3:42pm
It just has a set of D'Addario J74 on it. I might try some lighter strings, though the H bracing means the soundboard is stiffer than you would get with the usual two transverse braces of the Brazilian style of construction. It should mean a little less tendency for the soundboard to sag under the bridge.
Jim Garber
Nov-30-2016, 3:58pm
Graham: I am also curious... do you recall the maker of the one you inspected?
Graham McDonald
Nov-30-2016, 4:08pm
It was by Joao Batista.
Jim Garber
Nov-30-2016, 4:39pm
Ah, one of the few makers whose mandolins do make it over here. They are very nice sounding. A good model for getting the specs right.
Randi Gormley
Nov-30-2016, 6:57pm
someone told me the J-62s were closest to the strings commonly used on bandolims so that's what I have on mine. they give it a nice bright sound. fwiw
tom.gibson
Dec-02-2016, 11:49pm
Really nice, Graham. Out of interest, what is the thickness of the top?
Graham McDonald
Dec-03-2016, 3:44pm
Really nice, Graham. Out of interest, what is the thickness of the top?
Around 3mm/.120"
Graham McDonald
Dec-21-2016, 10:45pm
My friend Col Berneau, who is a much better mandolin player than I am, kindly recorded some of a composition by Jacob do Bandolim onto my Zoom H2 recorder.
152341
https://soundcloud.com/graham-mcdonald-4/col-berneau-playing-a-piece-by-jacob-do-bandolim
John Kelly
Dec-22-2016, 10:07am
Lovely instrument and a great sound, Graham.