I became interested in piccolo mandolins several years ago and finally had Mike Black build me an A4 style piccolo about two years ago. I have found it to be a real joy to play, and it often is my 'go-to' instrument when I am just playing for my own pleasure. When I have it out on gigs, people really like it and it gets lots of compliments.
Often when piccolo mandolins come up here in the Cafe, their utility is debated; some love them while others wonder about their utility. Part of the problem is that so few have played them. There really are not many piccolo mandolins around. Very few builders make them, and these are higher-end carved arch-tops. So the cost-of-entry is pretty high, for something most have not tried. We need a less expensive option, serving as a 'gateway drug' into the world of piccolos.
Cafe members who have a flat-top piccolo have commented on how good they sound, and I have a real thing for flat-tops in general. I decided to give it a go and build a flat-top piccolo mandolin to see how they sound. Below are pictures of my prototype.
Details of the build are as follows: The neck, sides, back and bridge are flamed red maple. The top is Adirondack spruce. The headstock overlay is cherry. The fretboard is bamboo and the nut is naturally-shed deer antler found here on the farm. Scale is 10.5" and it is tuned cgda, an octave above a mandola.
The only stain applied was reduced dry Fuji apple wine (really makes the maple figure shimmer), and the finish is a hardening oil.
I was going for an unconventional and very natural look, and an instrument that treads lightly on the planet (i.e. no tropical hardwoods and minimal finishes). It is done except final set-up. I am still messing with the frets a bit.
Its voice is sweet and clear with plenty of volume. I can't wait to properly set it up so I can really give it a go. Once set-up is final, I'll try to post an audio clip to this thread.
I now have two more piccolos of this design and a 13" scale mandolin of a similar design in the works. I'll post pictures as they progress. When the COVID restrictions are lifted and we get back to playing together, I'll loan the piccolos out to a few friends for feedback. I'll let you know what I learn.
I have found piccolo mandolins to be positively entrancing and think that when others players try them, they will as well. Just as you would not think of a mandola with a capo as a 'mandolin', a piccolo has a voice that is distinct from a mandolin played a fourth up. It is another voice in the chorus of mandolin-family instruments.
Best wishes,
Bob
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