Build # 11 - Elmer the Mandolin

This is my first attempt at a proper 8 stringed mandolin. I wanted a travel mandolin, and I really like the sound of this one a lot.I call him Elmer because there was an incident involving myself and some stupidity which led to a fair amount of glue repair on the box during construction. But hey... if the end result sounds this good, I can't complain.Also, this is my first attempt at a hand carved compensated bridge. It won't be my last!
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  • I really like the looks of "Elmer"! Nice clean looking build. I am currently waiting for my mail order mandolin tuning machines. Once I get them I will start on my first mandolin 8 string reso build for my daughter. Hope it turns out well. I may need some advice once I get into it.
  • Also, I have sound clips somewhere.
    I'm a better builder than I am a player, but I'll dig some up or make some more
  • Paul-
    I carve all my own necks. The tuners are in- line tuners. Stew Mac economy tuners in this photo, ping upgrades now. Check out the updated photos I've put up since.
    The sound is great, once I discovered sawmill tuning, I've never looked back.
    You have to figure out a way to brace the soundboard on cb mandos without sacrificing sound. That's the hardest thing to get right. Otherwise that 90 pounds of pressure will crumple your box in a few months, even with a through-style neck.
    Although gdgd tuning reduces that stress...
    Feel free to hit me up with any questions. I now have 3 solid mandolin builds under my belt. They sound good and I'm now working on some exotic wood mandolins. Mmmmm ziricote mandolin...
    Cheers!
  • VERY NICE !! Did you buy the neck or make it yourself?  Are the tuners inline gang tuners?  I am thinking about making a traveling mandolin too.  I am looking at the shape of the Martin Backpacker Mandolin.  Still in the planning stage in my head, but I am going to draw something up. Do you have any sound clips of the mando?  We would love to hear the sound quality. 

    305882438?profile=original

  • Beautiful and your description sounds like it is a good player.  Good job.  I've had some failures on mandos.  They are about the toughest builds.
  • thanks for kind words.

    i'm quite proud of elmer.  the tailpiece is from stewmac.  the bridge is working out well, but right now the maple saddle is just sitting on a rosewood block for height.  my next project is to carve an adjustable bridge for a the flat top mandolin.  i just got a very nice compensated antler saddle.

    i think i'll need to experiment with bracing on the soundboard though, just to prevent a huge amount of sinking over time.

    i also just found out about cbgitty's little rod piezo pickups.  i do believe i'll put on of those on here as well for some extra volume and unorthodox effects.

  • Now thats a fine looking instrument. I love the sound holes and tail piece and the bridge looks cool also. I can go on and on as to what I like about this. Congrats!
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