Like most builders, I've always been chasing that special sound and playability with all of my mandolins. But the look needs to be just right too to get people to want one. I've tried over the years (almost 20) to make each one an individual and yet try always for "that sound". By maintaining a Loar style, but using materials that are not always traditional, I am trying to build each a one-of-a-kind instrument... Am I going in the wrong direction? Back plates and necks have usually been figured maple. for the most part, but I've used other woods besides spruce for the top plates. Most have been spruce, but I've also tried fir and cedar with good success. For peg heads, ebony is used the most, but rosewood, walnut, and maple have been used too. For the points, everything is used from bone, to different woods, to ivoride and ABS plastics to get the look I want. Binding is the same way. Other then the top plates, do other builders feel these slight differences make any difference in the saleability of my mandolins? Is being the same more important, or not so much...…...
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