Got a spare bolt-on neck?

[Brewerpaul]

I'm thinking of making a travel mando but don't have the skills/tools/knowhow/desire to make my own neck. I'm thinking that a bolt-on electric mando neck would be the easiest way to go. I'd make some sort of simple body, maybe even solid out of some cool looking timber, add a bridge and tailpiece for something rugged enough to haul around. I'd want it to be quiet for late night practicing too. Maybe a pickup added later on.
Anyone got a spare neck sitting around?
Any better ideas? This whole project has got to be VERY cheap!

[John Flynn]

There are listings for super cheapo mandolins on eBay with "Buy it Now" prices as low as $23. I'd just get one of those and either use it as a travel mandolin as it is, or use it as a starting point for any "surgery" you want to do.

[mandroid]

Quiet practice instrument? Risa's got one of those. it is a single piece of wood,
others have mentioned them
4 string with a pickup for the ability to plug headphones in.

headless , tuners in the body, so it couldn't be more compact.
cost is low.

[Brewerpaul]

Who in the US carries the Risa?

[mandroid]

Elderly.com, have in the past, may be on backorder now,
may take a special order if none on the way for stocking on spec.

http://www.ukemaker.com/Risa-InstrumentsForSale.html

risa-music.de , or http://www.ukulele.de/menu/
will track stuff from the source, asking them who they wholesale to in the US.

[delsbrother]

You can get a bolt-on neck (albeit attached to a Mandobird body) for less than $200. Sometimes the necks show up on eBay, but I'd be wary of those - there's gotta be a reason they didn't make it through rigorous Indonesian QC.

[igowing]

International violin company sells an electric kit, you could use the kits components and make yourself a smaller body.
http://www.internationalviolin.com/i...?ItemCode=EMK2