Greetings!
I've played the mandolin for a little over a year now. I play on a Weber Gallatin F with natural stain and satin finish. I love it, but I think I'm ready to learn more about my instrument by learning about construction.
My woodworking skills are somewhat limited. I've sanded and stained furniture, and I'm comfortable using a chisel. I take things methodically and have an eye for detail. However, I've not had much experience cutting or carving.
For this reason I'm wanting to start with a kit first before trying a scratch build. I'd like an oval or round hole to contrast with the bright sound of my Gallatin. If it's an oval hole, I'd prefer an a-style.
I'd rather not do the campfire mandolin kit from stewmac due to me reading several threads about issues with the neck joint. I know whatever I make won't be of the same quality as my Gallatin, but I would like it to be playable.
One of the kits I'm interested in is the Mill Creek Mandolin kit by Don Kawalek. A flat top with a round hole would indeed be a departure from what I'm used to. I've found a lot of videos and sound samples of the octave from his kits, but I've yet to find a sample of the mandolin. Can any of you point me in the right direction? I've tried and failed several times searching the forum. For those that have built one of his mandolins; what do you think of it?
It looks like the only carved top kit mandolin with an (intended) oval hole I can find is the F4 kit by Roger Siminoff. All of the a-styles I've found appear to be A5s. Do any of you know of an oval hole, a-style kit I could look at? Do you think one of the more reputable kit builders (Arches, Siminoff, etc..) would be willing to build one custom?
Thank you for any assistance you can provide! Please be patient with my questions. I'm just starting to learn!
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