Redwood Burl Electric Mandolin

[GrooverMcTube]

Hello All.

First time poster here. I have this interesting piece of Redwood Burl that I think has a mandolin in it. However, I don't know whether there is enough real estate for a build. If it is possible, I think it would make a unique and beautiful instrument. I'm curious what you luthier types think.

I realize redwood is a soft wood, but this burled redwood is pretty dense and substantial. Seems to me a 4-string would have roughly one-half the tension of an 8-string so I would probably be looking at a 4-string neck. I will most likely purchase a pre-finished neck. I think the F-style necks are the bee's knees but I don't know whether they can be purchased as a bolt-on?

I have zero experience building a musical instrument but am willing to take the time to learn. I am looking for advice about building in general, suppliers, etc. I would also appreciate any design ideas you might have.

Here are some fairly low-res pics. I appreciate in advance any feedback.

[GarY Nava]

Very nice- I’d split it so that it’s book-matched and laminate it on to a piece hardwood-ash, maple, mahogany etc to make a great looking solid body.
Cheers Gary

[GrooverMcTube]

Interesting thought - and certainly one I hadn't considered. Thanks for the idea.

However, I think there is a lot of character in the "swept-up" grain on the sides.

Incidentally, the piece is about 1 3/4" thick. If I use it as a solidbody, there is an area roughly 8" x 4" of top surface between where the bridge would be toward the neck. Is that enough area? Would be very tight for the volume knob.

[Tavy]

The problem with using it as a solid body as-is, is that burr wood has very little structural integrity - it's basically full of holes! So Gary's suggestion to laminate is a good one.

[Spruce]

I’d split it so that it’s book-matched and laminate it on to a piece hardwood-ash, maple, mahogany etc to make a great looking solid body.

+1...
I'd do a neck through, as it looks like you might only have enough wood to cover the wings...
Something like this:



...and, there is a tradition of using figured redwood in electric mandolins...
Here's a pic of Tiny Moore's Bigsby peghead...

[GarY Nava]

+1...
I'd do a neck through, as it looks like you might only have enough wood to cover the wings...
Something like this:



...and, there is a tradition of using figured redwood in electric mandolins...
Here's a pic of Tiny Moore's Bigsby peghead...

Is that an Alembic e-mando??
Cheers Gary

[Spruce]

Is that an Alembic e-mando??

I was certainly influenced by Alembic, but "no"...
I built that (and about 20 others) about 40 (yikes!) years ago...

[darrylicshon]

I say go ahead and build one. I built this octave mandolin our of one piece of redwood

[Magnus Geijer]

Slice it, join it, splice it together! Burl is fun!

[GarY Nava]

I was certainly influenced by Alembic, but "no"...
I built that (and about 20 others) about 40 (yikes!) years ago...

Well, it’s certainly got the look and very cool! Seeing some of the early Alembic basses built for Phil Lesh and Stanley Clarke certainly inspired me back in the day!
Cheers Gary

[dustyamps]

Hey Spruce, what kind of amp is that?

[thistle3585]

That's pretty small for a mandolin body. A finished emando body generally is around 13" long by 10" wide. You could design the shape around the shape of the blank. I'd resaw it to a finished thickness of 1/4", join it and laminate it to a mahogany body. If you want to go semi hollow then I'd recommend laminating it to a thinner piece to give it more structural integrity and make sure there is a block that connects top to back where the bridge mounts as well as plenty of material around the neck block.

In the spirit of burl and Alembic. Here is a maple burl and lacewood emando.

[Spruce]

Hey Spruce, what kind of amp is that?

A Watkins Westminster that I found in England....
Great little amp...

[GrooverMcTube]

OK. So disregarding all suggestions to slice and dice it. I ordered a neck from Moongazer. Haven't yet routed the neck pocket but using a clamp to hold it together, this is roughly how it is going to look.

Any suggestions for finishing the neck (neck is curly maple topped with a maple burl fretboard)?

Epoxy on the fretboard, tru-oil on the neck itself?

Any input appreciated.

[Marty Jacobson]

I dig it.

[Paul Busman]

That's a nice creative idea for a unique piece of wood.
If you're into folk music, maybe you could record some Burl Ives for us when it's done

[Marty Jacobson]

Or at least Burl Them Cabbages Down.