For quite some time, I've wanted to work on a new mandolin design which has the features desired by F-Style players, but with post-Victorian style, and the complexity allowed by modern tooling.
Some of the traits which I wanted to include were -
- A fancy "strap holder" which was sleek and modern but maintained F body balance.
- A built-in armrest as found on many new guitars designs.
- "3-D binding" which highlighted the form of the instrument, protected the edges and didn't require bending plastic.
- A headstock which was attractive, had F-style mass but was sleek and didn't get complicated with scroll work.
- Comfortable tuning and easy neck adjustment. (The prototype has Alessi tuners and a two-way truss rod.)
- Tone and playability in the "modern-bluegrass" mode with a powerful chop and clear, even response across the neck.
- A James tailpiece modified to fit the style of the build.
My cohort, Randy Torno, suggested that I should dribble out a few detail pictures to get started. That's just cruel isn't it?
Steve
Bookmarks