Elkhorn Cocobolo F-5 finally complete!

[Elkhorn1]

Well it's finally done. This has been a long time in the process but I'm quite pleased with the end result. I've learned that Cocobolo and I don't get along too well as the dust is quite toxic and my systyem doesn't like it very well. So... this is the second and last Cocobolo F-5 that will be coming out of the Elkhorn shop. The top is California Redwood; the thing sounds amazing! Enjoy the photos; love to hear your thoughts.

[robert.najlis]

wow, looks amazing! That back is stunning!

[Denny Gies]

That is one amazing back. Nice work.

[Oliver R]

"I'm quite pleased with the end result."
Understatement of the year!
I am quite nonplussed by F-5's as a rule but that is spectacular mate, it really really is.
Oliver

[Malcolm G.]

Man, this is a killer both ways?

Stunning!

[Trey Young]

Absolutely beautiful Robb! As stunning as the Cocobolo back is, I really dig the looks of the Redwood top. It has a great color to it with the varnish over it and it shows off the grain quite nicely. Would love to hear sound clips or at least a brief run down on tonal qualities. Keep up the great work!

[JEStanek]

Cocobolo is such an interesting wood visually. Excellent job and wood choices. I would probably really love the tone in that one way more than a maple backed one. I bet it's as rich as it looks. IRRC, Barry Mitterhoff plays a mahog backed F5. Loved that darker tone.

Jamie

[Trey Young]

Also Robb,
Can I request a straight ahead picture of the headstock. Looks like a fern inlay without the Elkhorn logo?

[Dlchap]

Nice job! Great detail all around.

[Paul Edwards]

Gorgeous.

[Brett Byers]

Fantastic! Cocobolo is one my favorite woods, and that mandolin perfectly illustrates why. Someone is going to be very lucky to own that one. Very nice work.

[Cheryl Watson]

I would LOVE to play that mandolin! I'll bet it has a rich, full sound with gorgeous overtones. Heck, if I had the dough and it was available I'd buy it. I've heard GREAT things about Elkhorn mandolins. Congrats, Robb!

Oh, and yes, I have read quite a bit about how cocobolo dust is quite toxic.

[Doug Edwards]

What a beautiful mandolin!

Cocobolo is pretty to look at, but I hate working with it. Nasty stuff.

[j. condino]

Beautiful Robb! Did you find that the back was pretty dead at normal specs and then opened up HUGE when you went about 25-30% thinner?

Cocobolo neck?

I've also made the switch over to the "dark side" recently; all of my mandolins for this year will be made out of Brazilian rosewood; probably the only year I'll be able to do that!

j.
www.condino.com

Coming in February:
www.blueridgeschooloflutherie.com

[eadg145]

Absolutely stunning! I'm attracted to it in so many ways. I'd love to hear the rich, dark sound.

I'm sorry about the toxicity reactions, but the end result sure looks like it was worth it. Just beautiful!

[mfeuerst]

This is really stunning.

[Pete Counter]

What you couldnt made it a little prettier? Added some bling? Seriously that back has to the most stunning back I've ever seen! Any chance of a sound clip? Nice work!

[billhay4]

Quite lovely. I too would like to hear a sound clip if you can work one up.
Bill

[Randi Gormley]

There's an amazing 3-D effect going on in the back, as if there are these deep chasms. Absolutely stunning.

[Eliot Greenspan]

absolutely stunning!

Cocobolo is a seriously dense and hard wood, am curious to how that affects tone/sound...

[Jim MacDaniel]

Absolutely gorgeous

[Skip Kelley]

Hey brother Robb, that is one fine looking mandolin! The cocobolo/ redwood is a great combination. The back is visually stunning! You should be proud! I would love to put a pick to that one!

[Jill McAuley]

Drop dead gorgeous!

Cheers,
Jill

[Don Grieser]

Beautiful work, Robb!

[Elkhorn1]

Cocobolo mp3.MP3Here's what the Cocobolo F-5 with the Redwood top sounds like. It was recorded in a room with hardwood floors so it sounds a bit reverby but all in all it's a pretty good representation of the instrument.