Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 30

Thread: First go at building a mandolin

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    335

    First go at building a mandolin

    A lot of beautiful and inspiring work here in this music category!... I did a series of stringed metal sculptures several years ago and more recently (about 4yrs ago) I got into turning Turkey Calls.
    I spent a lot of time trying different soundboard and body configurations with the turkey calls, all of which had a slightly different sound. Now...I don't pretend to know or have the knowledge to build anything near what I'm seeing here but it has inspired me to try. I bought a set of Mandolin plans from StewMac and a $65 dollar mandoline off ebay for reference and parts. The goal for now is to get familiar with the process and how things work.



    00D7FE0A-2EE6-428A-A76F-C3322F8E6F64_1_201_a.jpg 4 strings, automotive clear coat over 12ga. metal, copper inlay feature

    C59977F6-35AF-43B5-9A70-5E48D11215F4_1_201_a.jpg 7 strings automotive clear coat over 12ga. metal

    0C7E3BD1-6BE2-4AD3-8D1D-8508AF786192_1_201_a.jpg guitar strings, I hooked this one up to an amp

    4BE3D6FF-E3C3-4A00-8CC4-162BE84634F4_1_201_a.jpg 88 strings automotive clear coat over 12ga metal

    I did a couple more but you get the picture....

    41C235AD-7CDE-4933-97BB-FE24F44C619D_1_201_a.jpg Turkey Call, glass over slate, Zebra wood

    78EE7F56-6FB1-40D1-A20F-3F4DAF3BBECE_1_201_a.jpg example of different sound board and body configurations experiments



    6A657235-C0A3-4159-BD09-67CE12A5CE95_1_201_a.jpg this is where I'm at so far with the Mandolin....'er Manjolin.... in part, the design was inspired by the turkey call. this has a second sound board attached under the body sound board, we'll see how this works out

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2021
    Location
    Mid West and North East USA
    Posts
    2,830
    Blog Entries
    2
    Lawrence. You are very skilled and artistic with your designs. My turkey call is a Skoal can with a disc of slate. I have yet to call a turkey in. I had one cluck back once but it stayed away, I guess it did not know that I only wanted to take its picture. I have not tried building a carved acoustic instrument yet. Is yours going to have any electronics?
    Best Regards, Maurice

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    SE PA - Central Bucks County
    Posts
    65,679
    That's a very interesting and nice looking design! Great looking craftsmanship, too!
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    335
    Thanks You Guys, appreciate it.

    Maurice, I've decided Turkey Calls are like fishing lures, ...go fig'r

    The Mandolin kinda came to a stand still this evening. I've got some fret wire coming the first of the week and Im thinking I might better wait on cutting the board and study up on how to go about putting it together. I've got plenty of sanding to do anyway.

    23082082-ED9E-406A-B731-9D7537FDE144_1_201_a.jpg
    Last edited by Lawrence Duckworth; 02-19-2022 at 7:31 PM.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2021
    Location
    Mid West and North East USA
    Posts
    2,830
    Blog Entries
    2
    When I need to plot fret locations I do it on a jig or reference board in case I ever need to make another one. You can use your carefully made row of index pin holes with a hand saw miter box or power saw jig.

    IMG_0352.jpg
    Best Regards, Maurice

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    335
    Thank You Maurice. last night I found a couple YouTube videos with similar jig setups. I think what I'll do for now is sacrifice the ebay Mando fret board as a layout template-jig-indexing-thing, should be close enough for now, later on maybe I'll spring for the Stewmac deal.

    You mentioned electronics. I love the sound....but if this project turns out to be a Duck Call I might try the traditional hand carved Mando first. Thanks again

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    SE PA - Central Bucks County
    Posts
    65,679
    There are a number of fret calculators available "out there" that can pretty much nail things for any scale length required.
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    335
    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Becker View Post
    There are a number of fret calculators available "out there" that can pretty much nail things for any scale length required.

    Thanks Jim.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    335
    So the base and soundboard were turned on the lathe and I added a second soundboard and attached it to the bottom chuck nub of the top board. The sound is surprisingly good.

    79721025-5737-485B-9A8E-B44D4DD080A2_1_201_a.jpg077FBB82-6827-4AFD-BB4A-E61193B1A028_1_201_a.jpgD3EDA95F-C567-40D7-AFCF-01E034C11980_1_201_a.jpg

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    335
    #2 and #3
    need to wet sand and finish up.

    3BD0A049-A9CB-4BFD-B91E-212CB24F6A1D_1_201_a.jpeg

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    SE PA - Central Bucks County
    Posts
    65,679
    Those are sharp looking instruments!!!
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    335
    thanks Jim. I'm gonna hang the three of them up in my man cave.

    I'm not sure what to do with this guy when I finish 6DD9C1F1-8091-45A6-B74C-4B9A636223D4_1_201_a.jpg
    Last edited by Lawrence Duckworth; 04-29-2022 at 7:15 AM.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    335

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    2,758
    Lawrence
    In your first post the first three pictures show some amazing artwork in the background. Is that all your work? Can you share a little more?

    And yes the mandolins are also impressive.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    335
    Quote Originally Posted by Tom Bender View Post
    Lawrence
    In your first post the first three pictures show some amazing artwork in the background. Is that all your work? Can you share a little more?

    And yes the mandolins are also impressive.
    good morning Tom. yes that's my art work, save a couple of my granddaughters paintings ....what would you like me to share specifically?

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •