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Thread: A new A with mostly Australian timbers

  1. #1
    Mandolin tragic Graham McDonald's Avatar
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    Default A new A with mostly Australian timbers

    A new A style mandolin with a King Billy pine soundboard and Huon Pine back and sides. Both timbers from Tasmania. The neck is Australian Red Cedar with a 6x10mm carbonfiber bar embedded. The fretboard is Madagascan rosewood, the head overlay and bridge are ebony with Rubner tuners, an Allen Monteleone style tailpiece and finished in Hard Shellac.

    The discolouration of the King Billy is typical. Huon is a pine about the weight of mahogany with a wonderful smel, a delight to carve and works well for these lightweight mandolins. I will see if I can find someone who can play a few tunes for an audio clip.

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  3. #2
    Registered User amowry's Avatar
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    Default Re: A new A with mostly Australian timbers

    Beautiful! I love the heel button/binding detail.

  4. #3
    Purveyor of Sunshine sgarrity's Avatar
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    Default Re: A new A with mostly Australian timbers

    Nice looking mandolin!

  5. #4
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    Default Re: A new A with mostly Australian timbers

    Graham, what a beautiful and elegant looking mandolin. I love it's unadorned simplicity. Of course I love Australian timbers as well. I think I am in love!

    P.S. I hope you are safe from the Canberra bushfires. It has been a devastating time.

  6. #5
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    Default Re: A new A with mostly Australian timbers

    That's really nice. I like the contrast of the cedar neck, but it must also make the whole thing super light. I'd love to hear it.

    Carving Huon would be a good way to forget the smell of smoke for a while.

  7. #6
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    Default Re: A new A with mostly Australian timbers

    That's beautiful, and I love the button / binding detail as well. The Australian red cedar is lovely.

    I think the instrument strikes a really nice line between modern and traditional.

  8. #7
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    Default Re: A new A with mostly Australian timbers

    An elegant work of playable art.
    “Mandolin brands are a guide, not Gospel “
    - Data Nick

  9. #8
    Mandolin & Mandola maker
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    Default Re: A new A with mostly Australian timbers

    Carving Huon would be a good way to forget the smell of smoke for a while.
    Yes, and we have had plenty of smoke smell, but I prefer the smell of King Billy Pine. Not as strong a smell as Huon, but sweeter. That must be one sweet smelling mandolin! Both King Billy and Huon Pine are highly prized boat building woods, but difficult to get nowadays.
    Peter Coombe - mandolins, mandolas and guitars
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  10. #9
    Registered User Dean Gray's Avatar
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    Default Re: A new A with mostly Australian timbers

    So I'm not the only one who sniffs my mandolin?

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  12. #10
    Registered User Randi Gormley's Avatar
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    Default Re: A new A with mostly Australian timbers

    Lovely. Just lovely.
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  13. #11
    Kelley Mandolins Skip Kelley's Avatar
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    Default Re: A new A with mostly Australian timbers

    Graham, that is a wonderful looking mandolin!

  14. #12

    Default Re: A new A with mostly Australian timbers

    Gorgeous. Love the beauty marks on the top too.
    2010 Heiden A5, 2020 Pomeroy oval A, 2013 Kentucky KM1000 F5, 2012 Girouard A Mandola w ff holes, 2001 Old Wave A oval octave
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  15. #13
    Play on FredK's Avatar
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    Default Re: A new A with mostly Australian timbers

    That is a strikingly handsome mandolin. That top along with the contrasting woods on the sides and back is fantastic.
    "If your memories exceed your dreams, you have begun to die." - Anonymous

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