Morris mandolin build!

[djc227]

Having a mandolin built by Howard Morris. Thought it might be fun to document the build since he will be sending photos throughout the process. Here is the first photo! Finished mandolin with be: Western Red Cedar top, maple back and sides, brazilian rosewood headstock and fretboard with matching armrest.

[Ed Goist]

Congratulations!
Sonny is such a great guy to work with, and his mandolins (especially his ff-hole mandolins, IMO) sound awesome!
That's some sharp Rosewood he's using for the peghead overlay and the fretboard. Nice!
I look forward to watching the build.

[Tom C]

Sonny? Howard?

[djc227]

Yes. I suppose either of those is correct! I don't know that I'm on a first name basis since I've only spoke to him once so far!

[Ed Goist]

Sorry about the confusion.
Howard goes by Sonny, so it's: Howard "Sonny" Morris.

[djc227]

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Pics with neck installed.

[Kevin Turinsky]

Thanks for posting the photos. I'm very eager to see it come together!

[djc227]

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Here it is with the back installed and the first stain and seal coat!

[djc227]

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Photos of the finished product taken by Mr. Morris. More to follow when it gets here. Shipped today so should be soon!

[Mandobart]

You'll be more than pleased. I have a western redcedar topped F4 built by Sonny; got it over two years ago. Sounds better all the time.

[Dfyngravity]

I just snagged me a brand new Morris A5 with an Englemann top and curly maple back, sides and neck. I just got it Saturday and strung it up with some J74s and man does she really sing. As soon as I got it I did a speed neck and it plays as smooth as butter. I plan on replacing the frets with larger EVO gold banjo frets, changing the tailpiece to a gold James tailpiece and changing the tuners to Grover gold 309 tuners.

All in all, Mr. Morris is build a great mandolin. For the price, you can't really get any better.

[Jim Garber]

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What is that inlay/overlay? It looks like small colored bits of reflective material.

[Ed Goist]

Congratulations! It's a beauty.

[djc227]

I just snagged me a brand new Morris A5 with an Englemann top and curly maple back, sides and neck. I just got it Saturday and strung it up with some J74s and man does she really sing. As soon as I got it I did a speed neck and it plays as smooth as butter. I plan on replacing the frets with larger EVO gold banjo frets, changing the tailpiece to a gold James tailpiece and changing the tuners to Grover gold 309 tuners.

All in all, Mr. Morris is build a great mandolin. For the price, you can't really get any better.

I think I saw pics of that one before I ordered the one I ended up having built. Was it a honey amber finish? It was a good looking mandolin.

Jim: I don't know what the inlay is. I'll have to give it a closer look when it gets here. I just assumed it was what he used on all of him mandolins.

[Dfyngravity]

I think I saw pics of that one before I ordered the one I ended up having built. Was it a honey amber finish? It was a good looking mandolin.

Jim: I don't know what the inlay is. I'll have to give it a closer look when it gets here. I just assumed it was what he used on all of him mandolins.

Yes, that's the one.

Oh, and yes that is pretty much the only inlay I have seen him do.

[Mandobart]

What is that inlay/overlay? It looks like small colored bits of reflective material.

Sonny does use an overlay before the finish coat. He focuses on tone and playability, and doesn't spend your money on anything that doesn't make the instrument sound or play better. It works for me; I know some that won't have a mando without a nice inlay job. To each their own.

[djc227]

Well it's here! Just came via USPS, and now I'm gonna have to sit here for an hour or two while it acclimates to the temperature. That has to be the worst part of ordering a mandolin in the winter!

[djc227]

It's awesome. I don't think I could take a picture that would show just how gorgeous this mandolin is in person. (I will try when I get home tonight though :) Everything is just spot on as far as sound and playability. Hard to believe that you can buy a mandolin that sounds like this at that price. I went through a few songs that I usually have trouble with and didn't falter once. It is challenging the theory that a better mandolin does not make a better player.

After seeing this mandolin up close I don't know why many people prefer so much binding on their instruments. The natural look without binding is just gorgeous.

[Ed Goist]

Aren't Sonny's set-ups incredible?
Remarkable playability!

[djc227]

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Here are the final pictures. It sure has been hard to put down. Believe it or not it sounds better than it looks.

[Eric Hanson]

Is there a verdict on the material used for the inlay.
BTW That is one beautiful instrument!
Congrats to you, and may your playing ever more be refined.:mandosmiley:

[Mandobart]

Is there a verdict on the material used for the inlay.
BTW That is one beautiful instrument!
Congrats to you, and may your playing ever more be refined.:mandosmiley:

Sonny actually has someone making good quality decals (overlay). I don't know what the material is.

[djc227]

Yeah it's an overlay not an inlay. I'm sure it's to keep costs down. I've seen pictures of mandolins he's built where the customer requested custom inlay, but the upgrades cost more.

I'm kind of a utilitarian, but I honestly love the natural look of this mandolin. For my taste it's perfect.