This mandolin was inspired by the old Martin flat

MANDOLINS

This mandolin was inspired by the old Martin flat-backed mandolins. Instead of having the top kerfed and bent (which involves cutting a shallow cut across the inside of the top just below the bridge and bending the the top slightly along this groove) the top and back were arched slightly by applying carved braces. The top is yellow cedar, the back and sides are osage orange, and the neck is Queensland cedar. The peg-head overlay is birds-eye maple, the bridge is of rosewood with a bone saddle, and the fingerboard is ebony with paua (New Zealand abalone) shell inlays.

A western maple octave mandolin (Irish bouzouki). The top is Sitka spruce, the peg-head overlay and fingerboard are ebony, inlaid with mother of pearl. The bridge is rosewood with a bone saddle. It is fitted with Schaller mandolin tuning machines. There is a steel reinforcing rod in the neck. The pick-guard is curly maple, and the design on it, painted in acrylic, was done by the customer, Kenny Brault who plays in a local band in Nanaimo called "Alicken Hue" (http://onlinerock.com/musicians/alickenhue/Bios.shtml)

Here's a variation on Kenny Brault's octave mandolin above. This one has a shorter scale of 530 mm, so it is easier (for me) to play. The back and sides are western maple, the neck is mahogany, the fingerboard and peg-head overlay are ebony and the bridge is Brazilian rosewood. There is a steel reinforcing rod in the neck. It is fitted with Schaller tuners. This instrument was made for Dale Mitchell (check here).

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