Burtenshaw Mandola #6

[burt50]

Here is another mando built from walnut. A mandola with a redwood top, walnut back, sides and neck. James tailpiece, Cumberland bridge. I really like working with walnut and there is lots of it here in N. CA...

https://youtu.be/pK1vnUR7z-E

[Bill McCall]

Very nice.

[Matt Harris]

Awesome. And I love the walnut/redwood combo. Looks great!

I assume this is a Tru Oil finish? If so, what's your finishing schedule look like, if you don't mind me asking...

[burt50]

Thanks Matt,
Actually this is French polish - shellac finish. With Tru-oil - put on a lot of thin coats and sand back to level out and do it again...

[Matt Harris]

Thanks Matt,
Actually this is French polish - shellac finish. With Tru-oil - put on a lot of thin coats and sand back to level out and do it again...

Gotcha. I saw your other thread and just assumed.

I've used Tru Oil several times, and have gotten good results, like you said, tons of coats and sanding. But that's just finishing I suppose...

Here's a 2/3 scale electric guitar I made for my daughters finished in Tru Oil.



Having done both french polish and tru oil finishes, do you have a preference? Application seems fairly similar...

[burt50]

Wow that's a beauty...
There's less rubbing around, which sometimes bothers my wrist, with Tru-oil. I can't say I have a preference. There's something romantic about "french polish" though...
For my next finish I'm going to alcohol stain, seal with TO, build with Seal-lac and finish with TO at least that's the plan today...

[bbcee]

@burt50, is that YouTube link correct? I'm dying to hear this mandola, but the link leads to Emory Lester playing a Northfield for me.

[Ken]

Lovely, nice work. And its a mandola!

[dulcillini]

Lovely, I am happy to see more mandolas being built. I am fortunate to have an excellent one, Collings MT2 that I purchased years ago. I love the sound of the mandola, especially for hymns and Italian music. Having these songs played down in lower key and the larger sound box of the mandola, adds to the richness. Just my humble opinion. I like to play the songs from Fiddler on the Roof on my mandola. All the best to you in your building.

[burt50]

https://youtu.be/xMkclX-Q_Pc
I wish I could play like Emory...
I hope this is the right link....

[bbcee]

Yea, that link works. That's a handsome, good-sounding mandola, @burt50! Glad to see more builders doing & featuring them.