I've made a couple of 20" scale OMs, but I'm in England181414
Type: Posts; User: Chris Pritchett
I've made a couple of 20" scale OMs, but I'm in England181414
Nice to see someone else doing violin style mandolins. I love building this way.175938
I've now built 11 instruments, 7 mandolins and 2 OMs so still consider myself a "newbie" still. Like others, I have tried the 'Tap-tuning' route albeit a via a more 'empirical' method. I'm reserving...
I use an AER 60 for my mandolins - love it!
I use a bigger, symmetrical head on my two-point and F5 mandolins and a slimmer profile om the A5s
172315
I have one of my early two point mandolins available (bit like a phoenix). Its got a few dings but could be re-finished. It's fitted with a McIntyre pick up. Have a look at my website for contact...
Octave mandolin No.2
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Have a go at 'Flippen'
Just off the bench, fiddle-style OM finished to match one of my fiddle-style mandolins.170357
653 is nicer than 648, but I have a thing about one-piece backs so I'd go for that.
I have a Gibson F9 and a Weber Fern, both with Grovers, never had a problem with them. But, a recent self-build using a set of 309's I got from a friend has had issues with the retaining screws on...
20" scale two-point octave mandolin with violin style edges. One piece rippled sycamore back.
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Here's a pic of the jig I made. Used on 9 instruments now with good results.167722
Based on my last few years of building mandolins post retirement this is pretty accurate...
Firstly I'm UK based so comparisons may be difficult. i would put my average material cost at around £250-300 per build including 'consumables'. It could be a lot cheaper if I used far-east sourced...
I'd be interested in responses to this too as I'm just about to start a similar instrument with carved top and back, although probably it will be a two-point design. I aim to use sycamore for the...
What sort of character are you after? If you are aiming for a mando that would pass for something from a factory or professional workshop I can see it would be a challenge and satisfying if you...
I really like the two-point design for jazz and swing, it seems a nice balance between the simplicity of an A model and the complexity of an F-style. As for pick ups I've used McIntyre in a few of my...
I build mandolins largely to suit my own jazz and swing playing. Not sure if timber choice is the biggest issue. I've used both Engelmann and European spruce, the key for me is to get an even...
I've had to remove finish i was not happy with on some of my builds - scraper every time. Just avoid 'digging in'.
Try David Dyke at Luthier Supplies. I have had quite a bit from him. Violin maker Tim Phillips has also had some wood for sale recently.