Hi Joe, Thanks for your comment. I don't have a stiffener in this neck, as it is quite stout. Anything longer I use some hollow steel 5/16th square stock. On most of the old mandolins I restore I also cut a 5/16th groove for the stiffener. I recently finished restoring an old Suzuki bowl back, and I was very pleased with the result. I was able to save it from a life of hanging on the wall. The neck wood is Sycamore, and the fret board is Lyptus, an amazing South American wood.
Rich, I love this build. When you buid the neck do you use anything to stiffen the neck? I am completeing a 16.5 VSL dulcimer cbg and used a length of aluminum channel epoxied in under the fretboard. Also what kind of wood did you use for the neck, it looks a little like mahogany with a paduack fretboard?
Thanks Ted. I SINCERELY appreciate your comment. I have made regular mandolins, a square neck slide guitar, and other stuff, even an autoharp, but the satisfaction I get from making these cigar box mandolins, and the pleasure and smiles they generate make them my favorite instrument to make. They are easy to make, and fall to the hand easily. Everytime I go to play at a jam, I wind up selling it. I sell them on ebay too. My ebay ID is bluehiway66. Being retired from the Army, the few bucks I make helps us, and pays for further supplies! I have a lot of fun making them. I also make a longer, (mandola) length. Thank you again for your comment.
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