A couple of new mandolins strung up, one for a client, the other an experiment in soundboard carving and bracing. The commissioned mandolin is a 2 point model inspired by the Washburn mandolins of the 1920s. A shorter 13"/33cm classical scale, strung with light strings (10-34) mostly made from Australian timbers. A King Billy pine soundboard, a Huon Pine back and Australian Red cedar neck with a CF bar for stiffness. The head overlay is overlay is figured gidgee, with a rosewood fretboard and ebony bridge. Tortoise binding, Rubner tuners and an Allen tailpiece. The second mandolin also has a King Billy soundboard, but with a knot in the middle, which meant it will likely not ever get sold. The body and neck are Queensland maple, with a Gidgee fretboard and Mulga head overlay. The soundboard was carved to a constant thickness, .150"/ 3.75mm, and used a carbon fiber re-enforced lattice to stiffen up the centre while keeping the soundboard as light as possible. It is very loud, but perhaps a bit too bright, so the next one will be carved a bit thinner.
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