Elkhorn Mango/Cedar F-5

[Elkhorn1]

Here's the latest Elkhorn F-5 just recently strung up in the white. The combination of the Mango with the red cedar top is very woody and bright at the same time! Very happy with the outcome of the combination. Enjoy!

[Skip Kelley]

Robb, that is a great looking mandolin!! Awesome job!!

[Denny Gies]

Very, very nice work. You should be proud.

[rb3868]

That's mango wood? gorgeous

[Steve Sorensen]

LOVE the wood combination!

Steve

[Jake Wildwood]

Real cool.

RB3868 -- mango has been popular for production ukuleles of late, since it's tonally similar to koa (supposedly).

[Elkhorn1]

Yeah, Both are native hardwoods in Hawaii. It's just taken a while for us all to figure out that the mango really is a great tone wood. It was slashed and burned for years as the wood becomes bug infested upon harvest so it has to be treated soon there after. This is the third one I've built and they've all sounded great; very similar to my Koa builds. The cedar top on this one really brings out the tonal quality of the Mango. It's really quite good!

[JEStanek]

I look forward to seeing the woods finished. I would also like to hear how it sounds. Very interesting! Good looking, too.

Jamie

[pjlama]

Wow, that's beautiful. Sound clips?

[goose 2]

I played three Elkhorn mandolins this week in Winfield. All three were very very good sounding instruments and very nicely made. I had never played one before. I am impressed for sure.

[Ivan Kelsall]

Another stunner from Robb. His combinations of various woods are a joy to behold,but i particularly like this one - awesome !!,
Ivan

[trentark]

What a beautiful instrument! I am a condemned man, overwhelmed by the incredible power of such beauty! Have gone too far?

[Elkhorn1]

Thanks for all the great comments! I really do love working different kinds of wood as well as the traditional maple and spruce. The Koa and Mango have been a fun find and great to work with; now I'm looking for something new to try. I thought about another Cocobolo one but after the last one I'm not really sure if I'm interested or not. New Koa F-5 just getting under way; some really tight, beautiful curl in this back. Pairing it with another red cedar sound board. Will post some pictures as I go. Stay tuned!

[Trey Young]

Wow Robb, that looks fantastic! I'll also chime in for wanting to hear a soundclip. Keep up the good work!

[Marty Jacobson]

Great looking mandolin!
I've been working with yellow cedar lately... makes the shop smell like an orange juice factory!

[rb3868]

I have to stop looking at this forum. there are now around $100K of mandolins I have to buy