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Merry Christmas

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Thank you, Jo. I saw your video the other day of the fast forward Brescian build. Fun to watch. I was working on my Brescian build at the same time, and thought it would be nice to document the vein...

I have a jet 10/20 thickness sander. I try to get them under 2mm. I don't think it would be a problem going a little thinner.
This is such an easy method. If the wood is going to split...it will...

Here is a step-by-step process for adding veins between the ribs of a bowl back mandolin.

Strips of a light-colored wood such as maple are thinned and bent the same as the ribs that form the bowl....

On the Bench: Bowl back mandolin in Claro Walnut with maple veins.

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Thanks Jim.
The customer wanted a 330mm scale, basically 13". It is strung with Thomastik (of course).
I went a little lighter on the bracing because it has only 4 strings.

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Just completed a nice little Selmer Style 4 string jazz mando. It is made of Sycamore and Spruce with a maple neck.

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On the bench: A 4 string Selmer Style mando and a Classical Style Bowlback in Claro Walnut.

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Thanks, Tom. First off, it is strung with nylon so I can only compare it to some of the other Brescian mandolins that I have built. I guess what I notice most is the quick decay of the tone. It is...

I finally completed this Brecian Mandola. It was inspired by an illustration from 1805.
It is made with Huon pine soundboard and Queensland Maple neck and bowl. In keeping with the Auzie theme, I...

A little more progress with the rose installed in the Huon pine soundboard. The bridge is Queensland maple.

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Here are some progress photos. The ribs are added one at a time starting with the one in the middle. The geared tuners are in for a trial fit. The scale will be 380mm 15".

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Thank you, Bob. That graceful look in the illustration is the very reason I wanted to make a replica.

I came across an interesting illustration from a book published in 1805. A young woman is seated playing a Bescian mandolin.

There are several things that intrigued me about this illustration: The...

I just finished this Brescian Mandolin. It is made of curly maple with a maple neck. Tuners are internally geared pegs. Finished in Tru Oil.

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Thank you Tom. Definitely a combination of the dozens of examples found on the web...but mostly this one:
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Thank you Sebastiaan. Yes, it seems to be bowlback season! The strings are Sevarez, and were sized for me by Boston Catlines. I didnt like the carbon G string, so I used an Aquila wound G. The rose...

Part of the enjoyment of building mandolins is the research that goes into a recreating an historic instrument. I certainly learned a lot about the historic development of the mandolin while building...

Hi Joe,
This style goes by many names, however, "Mandolino" is the original name...preceding Milano and Lombardo.
I ordered a custom set of strings from Boston Catlines. As you know, getting a...

I am working on a 6 course mandolino in curly walnut and Sitka spruce.
Tuning will be in 4th's rather than 5th's.
There is a specific instrument called a "mandolino".
Here is a brief description:...

On the bench: A maple Brescian and a renaissance cittern also in maple.

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Just completed this Brescian Mandolin in curly Claro Walnut and Curly Maple.
It has geared tuning pegs and Aquilla nylon strings. Tuned to a standard GDAE.

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Brescian mandolin in walnut and maple ready for the finish.

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Completed bowl for a Brescian mandolin.
Claro walnut with extreme curl.

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Hi Jim,
Maybe I can shed some light on your question.
Aquila makes string for a variety of vintage instruments. According to their research, A-390 was probably the pitch most common around...